When it comes to Christmas party food, retailers and suppliers are emphasizing the importance of offering more than just the usual fare. For Christmas 2026, the focus is on creating a high-value category that combines discovery, premiumization, and provenance to create the complete entertaining occasion. Shoppers are looking for familiar favorites, but with a twist – they want better ingredients, distinctive flavors, and interesting provenance, all without requiring hours of preparation. That does not mean abandoning the classics.
From traditional to unexpected
The idea of Christmas party food is evolving, with shoppers seeking more than just the usual beige, predictable buffet fare. According to Matt Hopkins, the industry is shifting towards a more adventurous approach to party food, where familiar formats are paired with new and exciting products. This means that independent retailers can curate a range of party foods that offer something new and interesting, while still providing the classics that shoppers know and love.
Booths’ festive sales data from 2024 and 2025 shows that recognizable Christmas flavors are still in high demand, with top performers including Duck Selection with Hoisin Dip, Brie & Cranberry Parcels, Lancashire Cheese & Plum Parcels, Vegetable Indian Selection, Chicken Bites with BBQ Dip, King Prawn Selection, and Mini Beef & Horseradish Yorkshire Puddings.
As Martin Wolstenholme, product developer at Booths, notes, “Our best performing party food is still very much built around familiar Christmas favourites.” However, customers are also becoming more adventurous, buying British classics alongside seafood, meat, and globally inspired products. Indeed, they say, “Customers are becoming more adventurous, but without moving too far away from the traditional favourites.” For independent retailers, that suggests a balanced approach to ranging.
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The core should provide reassurance, while a carefully chosen selection of more unusual products provides discovery. For example, in 2025 Booths saw particularly strong growth in Bang Bang Cauliflower, up 21%, Chicken Kebabs with Mango Dip, up 15%, and Mini Yorkshire Puddings, up 12% between 2024 and 2025. “We wouldn’t necessarily say customers are moving away from meat or traditional products, as these are still some of our strongest sellers. It’s more that customers are looking for a bit more variety alongside the traditional favourites,” Martin explains.
The way people entertain during Christmas is also influencing the party food opportunity. With a shift towards grazing, sharing, and pick-and-mix occasions, retailers can build more eclectic ranges that offer a variety of flavors and textures. As Martin notes, “Sharing and grazing gives people the opportunity to put lots of different things on the table and let everyone pick and mix.” This creates space for retailers to think in terms of a party table rather than a single category, offering products that work together to create the complete entertaining occasion.
One of the biggest opportunities lies in products that deliver a premium experience without requiring extra work. As Matt Hopkins notes, “The sweet spot is food that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.” A really good product that can be served, shared, or finished with one or two ingredients is incredibly appealing, particularly to independent retailers who can offer premium party food without elaborate preparation.
Vegetarian options beyond the basics
Vegetarian party food is also evolving, with opportunities to move beyond the basics and offer indulgent, flavor-led options. As Martin Wolstenholme notes, Booths is developing vegetarian options that are “indulgent and flavor-led,” rather than just treating them as alternatives for people who don’t eat meat. For independent retailers, this means merchandising vegetarian products as exciting party choices in their own right, alongside meat, seafood, and cheese.
