Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, so most offices will celebrate on Friday, October 30. That leaves about two weeks to plan a team party people actually enjoy.

The easiest way to make it a success is good food. A costume contest is fun, but a warm buffet and a dessert table are what bring everyone into the room. Here is a simple plan for ordering Halloween catering for your office in Washington DC or Northern Virginia, without spending your whole week on it.

Plan ahead: four things to settle first

  • Pick the time. A lunch party (12:00 to 1:30) gets the most people. An afternoon party (3:00 to 5:00) works better with snacks and desserts.
  • Confirm your headcount. Send a quick RSVP and add about 10% extra for guests who decide at the last minute. Ordering by headcount also shows you the price per person.
  • Ask about dietary needs. Plan at least one vegetarian option and label anything with nuts, gluten or dairy.
  • Order early. Catering orders need at least 24 hours of notice, but popular restaurants fill up fast on the last Friday of October. Placing your order this week gives you the best choice.

Halloween menu ideas your team will love

  • BBQ buffet. Smoked meats, mac and cheese and cornbread feel just right for a cool fall day. For example, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Fairfax offers a Classic Buffet for 10 on OnCater.
  • Build-your-own bars. Taco, burrito or rice bowl bars let everyone choose, and they handle mixed dietary needs well.
  • Boxed lunches. The best choice if people will eat at their desks or if you want zero cleanup.
  • Pizza and wings. Simple, fast and always popular for an afternoon party.
  • Fall flavors. Look for soups, roasted vegetables, pumpkin and apple dishes on restaurant menus.
  • Desserts. Cookies, brownies and cupcakes in orange and black are the easiest way to make the table feel like Halloween.

Festive touches that cost almost nothing

  • Give each dish a spooky name on a small card, like “Monster Mac and Cheese” or “Graveyard Brownies.”
  • Use orange and black napkins and plates.
  • Hold a costume contest and give the winner first place in the food line.
  • Set up a candy bowl near the entrance for anyone who stops by.

Order your Halloween catering on OnCater

OnCater makes it easy to order from great local restaurants across DC and Northern Virginia, with a real person behind every order.

  1. Go to oncater.com and enter your office address.
  2. Choose a restaurant and add items to your cart. Enter your headcount to see the price per person.
  3. Pick Friday, October 30, set your delivery time and add any instructions.
  4. Check out with your credit card, and we will keep you posted by text and email until your food arrives.

Every order also earns OnRewards, which you can use as credit on future orders or redeem for Amazon gift cards. Ordering for your company often? Ask us about a corporate account with Net 30 invoicing.

Ready to plan your party? Order your Halloween catering at oncater.com, or call us at (571) 210-5199 and we will help you build the menu.