Ready to plan a small holiday gathering? In our opinion, these are the best-sized events. Everyone knows one another, so no awkward great aunt is going to be saying to you how small you were when you last saw them, and there’s a level of comfort that guarantees a great time. 

While the food of choice is, of course, a priority, we believe your choice of and setup for private dining space are equally critical! 

If you’ve got the kind of epic, big home space to host a small holiday gathering, consider the on-site catering option! If not, or if you want to go one step further, consider finding a private dining space, particularly if you’re thinking about themes, immersive catering experiences, or a curated menu. 

Good news! Here at Goode Co. Catering & Events, we offer both: bringing our epic barbeque and Texan hospitality to your home, or hosting you in one of our private event spaces. Whether you’re planning around holiday event planning tips, comparing onsite vs offsite catering, or simply looking for a cozy spot to bring everyone together, we’re ready to help. 

Anyway, if you’re going for the latter, then here’s our guide on how to choose the best private dining space for a small holiday gathering in Houston, Texas.

Step 1: Define the Size and Guest List

Before you go booking a private room at your dream venue, you need to know how many mouths you’re feeding. There’s no point wasting your budget on a huge room when there’s only a small group. 

Guest list size impacts menu and seating layout, too. As your catering company of choice, we need to know what’s possible with live-action stations and shared platters. This is particularly crucial if you’re planning around specific dietary requirements.

So, pull out a pen and brainstorm. Who’s coming? This is a small holiday gathering after all, so keep it tight. If you’re a family, consider those outside your immediate family that you are close enough to include. If it’s a corporate holiday, then consider those in your immediate team or those who have worked extra closely with your circle this year. If you need ideas on selecting the right environment, our guide to choosing a corporate holiday event venue can help.

Our Private Dining Space Ideas:

Capacity RangeRoom NameSeatsLocation
Under 20 GuestsThe Boardroom12Goode Co. Seafood
Under 20 GuestsUpstairs Balcony5Goode Co. Barbeque, Memorial
Over 20 GuestsJalisco Room30Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina
Over 30 GuestsThe Fonville Room40Goode Co. Seafood
Over 30 GuestsThe Cove36Goode Co. Fish Camp

Want to visit a specific Goode Co. Restaurant for your small holiday gathering? These are just a few examples of ideas. We’ve got many more rooms and seating arrangements, and will be keen to accommodate your group of any size. 

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Full-service catering makes any minor holiday gathering an absolute breeze, but it’s time to consider what will impact your budget.

If you’re selecting a private venue, room fees or minimum spends may apply. You’ll also want to consider menu pricing, beverage packages, and any additional décor or theme requests. If you’re unsure how to allocate funds across food, décor, and venue rental, our holiday event planning tips can help you map out priorities early.

We aim to make everything as transparent and stress-free as possible. That’s our job! Feel free to give us a call today, and we’ll provide you with a quote that aligns with your budget. 

Step 3: Choosing Location

When choosing a location, think about convenience. Houston residents are used to trips to their favorite restaurants, but no one wants a long journey.
Our Goode Co. Catering and Events venues are located across Houston, offering ease for parking, commuting, and transportation: 

Step 4: Venue Layout & Ambiance 

Still unsure about what style of venue and set-up you’re after? Be sure to mention your preferences to your chosen catering provider, particularly if you’re considering thematic decor, seasonal enhancements, or immersive catering experiences to elevate the mood.

Long tables are usually a necessity for big groups and add a sense of formality, but when you’re taking smaller groups, then you gain some flexibility. We can push tables together to suit your vibe, if needed, which can encourage more conversation and prevent people from feeling left out. 

We’re also more than happy to accommodate decor and theming. But you’ll want to consider the venue’s vibe in general anyway. For example, if you want a homely decor, then go for something like our Armadillo Palace. But if you’d rather something formal and modern, then our ‘The Memorial’ will be better suited. 

Of course, this will vary depending on what you’re going for. A corporate gathering is never going to be quite the same as a family Christmas gathering!

Step 5: Choose a Service That Offers the Full Works

There are a lot of full-service catering companies that actually drop short of what you’d expect. We don’t. WE make it easy and cover every aspect, from great food to decor and staffing. 

So, if you need some audio/visual needs for music or presentations, we’ll make sure it’s all set up technically in advance. And if you’re deciding between onsite vs offsite catering, we can walk you through exactly what each option entails so you can choose the smoothest experience.

Finally, don’t go for a service that isn’t experienced. They’ll be short on server-to-guest ratio and ill-prepared for the logistics of a holiday gathering. We have our own logistics team ready to make your small holiday gathering as customized and straightforward as possible. 

Step 6: Choose Your Menu

We specialize in authentic Texan food. But there’s still some flexibility in your menu. 

Firstly, our different restaurants offer different tastes (for example, we specialize in seafood at Goode Co. Seafood and mesquite-smoked meat at Goode Co. Barbeque). But we still allow you to tailor your menus to your guests’ preferences. For example, you can create live-action stations for tacos, mac and cheese, and other sides. Or you can choose between authentic Texan ribs, brisket, or turkey.

Take a look at our menus and feel free to start dreaming up a customized selection for your small holiday gathering!

Oh, and don’t forget the drinks! Wine, cocktails, mocktails, and holiday-specific drinks are all on offer. And if you want, you can even book our mobile bar ‘Yonderlust’ to provide your very own privately staffed bar on-site at your venue of choice. 

Step 7: Timing and Booking

Goode Co. events & catering sign in black with a jean-clad cowboy boot-wearing man standing next to it.

Our holiday season is always in high demand. So, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. 4-6 weeks is usually a good starting point. But, feel free to contact us even at the last minute, as you never know, someone may have dropped out and left space free. 

Booking in advance also gives us a chance to coordinate with other vendors if you’d like customized decor, florals, and entertainment such as live music. 

Step 8: Confirm Details and Manage Logistics 

Once you’ve confirmed the booking and are set on your vision for the event, it’s time to finalize the guest count and RSVPs. If some people have dropped out, consider inviting new guests or contacting the venue to let them know the updated, lower guest count. 

But, best of all, just sit back and look forward to the day! If you’re trusting us, then know that we take pride in making every small holiday gathering as stress-free and fun as possible. Don’t stress, we’ll take care of the logistics!

Book Your Private Holiday Gathering Space with Goode Co. Catering & Events Today!

Ready to secure your preferred private dining space? Look no further for authentic Texan cuisine, including mesquite-smoked barbeques, seafood fresh from the Gulf, and Texan hospitality that will bring nothing but smiles. 
Feel free to contact us by phone at 713.844.8180 or by email at events@goodecompany.com. 

Further Resources: