How Much Food Do You Need for Christmas? A Portion Guide by Guest Count

Take the Guesswork Out of Christmas Cooking

Coming up with Christmas dinner ideas can feel like a juggling act when you're trying to please everyone's tastes, manage dietary preferences, and figure out how much food you'll actually need. One minute you're worried there won't be enough roast potatoes to go around, and the next you're staring at leftovers that could feed the neighbourhood for a week!

This Christmas meal planning guide takes the guesswork out of your Christmas menu. Whether you're hosting an intimate Christmas lunch for four or a Christmas dinner for sixteen, we'll help you work out how much food to prepare, from mains and sides to desserts and drinks.

We'll also show you how to build your table from the FoodSt Christmas range, a menu made only for Christmas, handmade in small batches by local home cooks and delivered freshly frozen. We deliver Christmas food across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and ACT, so you can focus on celebrating, not cooking.

How to Estimate Food Portions for Christmas

Before you start writing shopping lists or placing a Christmas order, it helps to know how much people actually eat at Christmas. Unlike a standard dinner, Christmas usually means several mains, sides and desserts, and everyone tends to eat a little more than usual.

The trick is finding the balance between an abundant table and over-catering. The aim is a generous table that doesn't leave you eating ham sandwiches well into the New Year!

Serving a wide spread also means a lot of preparation, and that is often where the stress of Christmas Day comes from. Every dish in the FoodSt Christmas range tells you how many it serves, so you can build a table to the numbers below without a spreadsheet. If you're planning your own table, here is how to go about it.

Start with the Main Course (Protein)

Protein is the foundation of a satisfying Christmas lunch or dinner. Because roasts shrink by around 25 to 30% when cooked, plan portions by raw weight: 300 to 400g of raw protein per adult, which gives roughly 200 to 250g cooked, spread across all your mains.

For a regular dinner you'd usually allow around 150 to 200g of cooked protein per person, but Christmas is not a regular dinner! Guests want to try a bit of everything, so aim for about 200 to 250g of cooked protein per guest across all the mains on the table. That's about 300 to 400g of raw meat per guest, to allow for shrinkage.

Here are this year's Christmas mains, with how many each serves as part of a full table:

Example Dish	Serves	Weight (raw)
Davidson Plum Glazed Christmas Ham	10-12	3.5 kg
Gavin's Salmon Fillet with a Macadamia Crust and Lemon Myrtle Velouté   Davide's Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast	8-10	1.5 kg
Davide's Side of Barramundi with Chermoula	8–10 as part of a spread	1.2 kg
Paolo's Lemon & Herb Deboned Leg of Lamb	4-6	1.2 kg
Lobster Tails with Lemon Myrtle and Finger Lime Butter	2 as a main, 4 as an entree	4 half tails

Serving two or more mains? You can reduce each a little, because guests take smaller portions of each option. A deboned leg of lamb also goes further than a bone-in leg of the same weight, because there is no bone and very little waste.



Image caption: Our Davidson Plum Glazed Christmas Ham serves 10 to 12 as part of a spread.

Plan Your Sides by Weight

Sides bring balance, texture and colour to the table, and they're what make a table bright and interesting. They're also where portions most often fall short, because everyone wants to try a bit of everything. Again, raw weights are the most accurate guide:

• Hearty sides (potatoes, pumpkin, grains): 150 to 200g per person

• Vegetables and salads: 100 to 150g per person

• Bread and rolls: 40 to 60g per person (about one small roll or slice)

Together that's roughly 350 to 400g of sides per guest, which makes a generous, well-balanced plate.

Handy rule for 6 guests:

Type of side	Portion per person	Example for 6 guests
Hearty sides (potatoes, pumpkin, grains)	150 to 200g	1 to 1.2kg total
Vegetables or salads	100 to 150g	600 to 900g total
Bread	40 to 60g	250 to 350g (half a focaccia, or a slice each)

💡 Balance tip: aim for one hearty side, one fresh or green side, and one bread or grain to soak up the sauces. For six people, Lou's Duck Fat Roast Potatoes and Lou's Wild Rice Salad cover the first two between them.

Dessert Portions

Dessert is the grand finale, and everyone loves a little extra. Allow 120 to 150g of dessert per person, or one full dessert serve per guest plus an extra for every four people.

A 1L tub of Davide's Sour Cherry Gelato serves 8 generously, or up to 10 after a big meal. Pair one rich dessert, like Paolo's Sticky Date and Fig Pudding, with one lighter, colder option, like gelato or Paolo's Pavlova Cheesecake with Mango & Passionfruit.

Drinks

Plan for half a bottle of wine per adult, or around 1L of non-alcoholic drinks per person. Include sparkling water, mocktails or chilled juices to keep things refreshing between courses.

👉 Explore the FoodSt Christmas range, handmade by local home cooks and delivered freshly frozen.

Christmas Portion Guide by Guest Count

Every table looks a little different at Christmas. Whether you're keeping it small and relaxed or hosting a big family affair, this portion guide will help you plan with confidence and serve the right amount.

For 4 to 6 Guests (Small Gathering)

A smaller Christmas doesn't mean less magic. In many ways it feels even more special. With fewer people around the table there's more room for conversation, more time to slow down, and more attention for the details that make a meal memorable.

This kind of celebration suits a relaxed family lunch or a gathering of close friends, the kind where you can sit back, share stories and enjoy the traditions of Christmas in a way that feels personal. You don't need an overflowing table to make it feel festive, just a few well-chosen dishes that go together and leave everyone satisfied.

Recommended portions

• Mains: one generous centrepiece, 1.5 to 2.5kg raw in total

• Sides: two or three sides, around 1kg raw in total

• Dessert: one dessert serving 6 to 8

• Drinks: 1 to 2 bottles of wine, plus sparkling water and juice

A table for six from the Christmas range: Paolo's Lemon & Herb Deboned Leg of Lamb as the centrepiece, or Nat's Roasted Vegetable Wellington if your table leans vegetarian, with Lou's Duck Fat Roast Potatoes, Paolo's Roasted Rainbow Carrots and Paolo's Sticky Date and Fig Pudding to finish. Want a starter? Four Scallops with Miso Kombu Butter and Bunya Nut make an easy first course for four.

Built for Generous Tables

Every dish in the FoodSt Christmas range is made to these portion principles, generous, balanced and realistic. Our cooks have done the hard work, so your table looks abundant without unnecessary waste. Everything arrives freshly frozen, and each dish comes with its own instructions, whether it's ready to heat or ready for your oven.

Image caption: Davide's Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast

For 8 to 10 Guests (Medium Celebration)

This is where the celebration really comes to life, with a table full of family and friends. For a medium-sized Christmas the goal is the right balance between variety and simplicity, without spending the whole day in the kitchen.

Recommended portions

• Mains: two mains, 3 to 4kg raw in total (for example turkey with fish, or a ham)

• Sides: 3 to 4 dishes combining hearty and fresh, around 2 to 3kg raw in total

• Desserts: two options, one rich and one light

• Drinks: 4 to 5 bottles of wine and around 6L of non-alcoholic drinks

A table for ten from the Christmas range: Davide's Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast alongside Davide's Side of Barramundi with Chermoula, so there's a roast and something lighter for a hot day. Add Paolo's Potato & Parmesan Mille Feuille, Paolo's Roasted Rainbow Carrots and Davide's Pearl Couscous Salad, which Davide serves with the barramundi. To finish, Paolo's Pavlova Cheesecake serves 10 to 12, with a tub of Davide's Sour Cherry Gelato beside it.

Prefer a traditional table? The Davidson Plum Glazed Christmas Ham serves 10 to 12 on its own. It arrives skinned and scored with the native Davidson plum glaze ready to brush on and bake, and the leftovers are half the point.

For 12+ Guests (Large Gathering)

A big Christmas table is where the spirit of the season shines, the kind of gathering filled with laughter, clinking glasses and the happy chaos of people reaching across the table for another helping. For twelve or more, keep things relaxed and communal. Buffet-style or shared platters work best, inviting everyone to help themselves, mix and match, and go back for seconds.

Recommended portions

• Mains: 2 to 3 mains, 5 to 6kg raw in total (turkey, ham, seafood)

• Sides: 4 to 5 dishes (roast veg, grains, greens, salads)

• Desserts: 2 to 3 choices with different textures

• Drinks: a bottle of wine per two adults, plus plenty of chilled non-alcoholic options

A table for twelve to sixteen from the Christmas range: the Davidson Plum Glazed Christmas Ham and Davide's Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast, with Lobster Tails with Lemon Myrtle and Finger Lime Butter if you want a seafood moment. Start with Rebecca's Turducken Sausage Rolls, Davide's Smoked Mozzarella Arancini and the Heirloom Tomato and Gruyère Tart. For sides, two trays of Lou's Duck Fat Roast Potatoes, Nat's Hasselback Pumpkin with Sage Butter, Paolo's Roasted Rainbow Carrots and Lou's Wild Rice Salad. Finish with Paolo's Pavlova Cheesecake, Davide's Panettone Trifle and gelato.

 

Quick Guide: How Much to Buy (Raw Weights)

Now you're across the portion sizes, it's time to write your Christmas shopping list, or build your order from the FoodSt Christmas range. Here's a raw weight table to help you decide how much food to buy for Christmas.

Table: raw weight shopping guide for Christmas (Australia)

Course	Portion per person (raw)	Example for 10 guests	Tips and notes
Protein (meat, seafood, plant-based)	300 to 400g per adult	3 to 4kg total	Covers 25 to 30% cooking loss. Variety works if you're serving several mains.
Starchy side (potatoes, pumpkin, grains)	150 to 200g	1.5 to 2kg total	Always include a hearty side, roast potatoes go fast.
Vegetables and salads	100 to 150g	1 to 1.5kg total	Add a lighter option like greens or a summer salad.
Bread and rolls	around 50g	around 500g total	One small roll or slice per guest.
Dessert	120 to 150g	1.2 to 1.5kg total	Or one large dessert plus a lighter option (a 1L gelato and one cake).
Drinks	Wine around 375mL per adult, around 1L non-alcoholic per person	Around 5 bottles of wine and 10L of drinks	Include sparkling water or mocktails for balance.

FoodSt tip: every dish in our Christmas range shows how many it serves, so you can build your order straight from these numbers. If a dish says it serves six, it feeds six generously.

🎄 Free Download: Christmas Portion Planner

Prefer a printable version? Download the FoodSt Christmas Portion Planner, a quick reference for how much food to buy for Christmas.

📎 Download the free Christmas Portion Planner (PDF)

This one-page guide includes easy portion tables, cooks' tips and hosting advice, perfect to print or keep on your phone while you shop.

Hosting Tips from the Kitchen

• Children: count one child as half an adult portion (teenagers count as adults).

• Leftovers: aim for 5 to 10% extra overall, enough to relax without waste.

Balancing Variety and Portions

A great Christmas spread is all about balance. Getting the right mix of flavours, colours and traditions so every guest feels included can be hard, especially with the pressure of the holidays. Variety doesn't have to mean extra work, but it does mean choosing dishes that complement each other and give a sense of choice without overwhelming the table.

Think of your menu as a trio: the stars, the sides and the sweets. The mains are the stars, the centrepiece of the meal, so two or three is plenty. The sides add texture and colour and bring the table to life, ideally something rich, like roast potatoes, and something fresh, like a bright summer salad. The sweets are the final note, and one showstopper with one simple crowd-pleaser is always enough.

If you're catering for guests with different dietary needs like vegetarian or vegan, variety is your greatest strength. A few thoughtful options make everyone feel considered and welcome. In this year's range, Nat's Roasted Vegetable Wellington is a vegetarian centrepiece, Davide's Pearl Couscous Salad is vegan, and the Heirloom Tomato and Gruyère Tart works as a starter or a side. If you're serving buffet-style, a few simple labels make it even easier for your guests.

 

Why Australians Love to Outsource Christmas Catering

Each year more households across Australia choose Christmas meal delivery to bring some calm back to the day.

• Less stress, more connection: less chopping, less mess, more time at the table.

• Real food: handmade in small batches by local home cooks, not mass-produced.

• More time to celebrate: be present at your own table.

• Support local cooks: your order supports independent cooks across NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT and SA.

• A table for every size: build your own from mains, sides and desserts.

👉 FoodSt delivers Christmas meals across Australia. Browse the full FoodSt Christmas range, handmade, freshly frozen and delivered to NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and ACT.

Celebrate Generously, Eat Joyfully

Christmas isn't about how much you cook, it's about connection. With the FoodSt Christmas range you can bring warmth, flavour and tradition to the table without the stress. Pour a glass, share a laugh, and serve a meal that feels made for you.

Because when the food is good and the company is even better, that's when Christmas really shines.

FAQs: Christmas Catering & Portion Planning

Q: How much food should I buy per person at Christmas?
A: Plan 300 to 400g of raw protein per adult, 150 to 200g of hearty sides, 100 to 150g of salads or veg, around 50g of bread, and 120 to 150g of dessert per person.

Q: How do I convert raw to cooked weight?
A: Roasts lose around 25 to 30% in the oven. A 2.5kg raw roast becomes about 1.8kg cooked, which serves 8 to 10 at 200 to 250g each.

Q: What's the easiest way to plan Christmas catering?
A: Pick a main from the FoodSt Christmas range, then add sides and desserts until the serves add up to your guest count. Every dish shows how many it serves, and everything arrives freshly frozen.

Q: Do I need more food for a buffet?
A: Yes. Add 10 to 15%, because guests love to try everything.

Q: How should I count kids?
A: Count children as half portions and teenagers as adults.

Q: How much dessert is enough?
A: Allow 120 to 150g per person, or one serve each plus one extra for every four guests.

Q: Can I order for Christmas lunch and dinner?
A: Absolutely. Everything is delivered freshly frozen, so you can serve it for Christmas lunch or dinner, whichever suits.

Q: When should I order Christmas catering?
A: The Christmas range opens on 20 October, orders start shipping on 5 November, and the last deliveries are on 19 December. Because everything arrives freshly frozen and keeps in the freezer, a November delivery costs you nothing but freezer space, and it avoids the $5 surcharge on December delivery dates for Christmas orders.

Q: How many sides do I need for Christmas?
A: Plan 150 to 200g of hearty sides and 100 to 150g of veg or salad per person, plus around 50g of bread.

Q: Is Christmas catering worth it?
A: If you value time and less stress, yes, especially for medium and large groups.

Q: Do you deliver Christmas food in my area?
A: We deliver Christmas food across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and ACT.

📎 Planning your menu? Download our free Christmas Portion Guide or choose your items from our 2026 menu here, all handmade and delivered across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and ACT.