Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice: Making Your Holiday Events Unforgettably Sweet

The twinkle of lights, the sound of carols, and the aroma of fresh-baked cookies – the holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to bring on the treats. In fact, many of us look forward to the dessert table more than anything. (A recent survey found that 48% of Americans have attended a holiday party just for the sweets! (No shame, we get it.) With folks indulging their sweet tooth 43% more at year’s end, there’s no better time to wow your guests with desserts. Here’s how to elevate your December gatherings with festive treats, catered desserts, and even edible gifts.

Holiday Events, Catered with Care (and Cookies!)

Whether it’s a corporate holiday party, a family get-together, or a cozy friendsgiving, a fabulous dessert spread can steal the show. Woodbine Bakery has you covered for all things dessert. We specialize in custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and dessert bars for any event. Planning a dessert bar for your office party? We can provide trays of bite-sized cupcakes, brownies, lemon bars, mini tartlets, and more – perfect for mingling and sampling. (Our “Sweet Treats” menu even includes fun options like cookie crème pies, drizzled rice crispy treats, and mini cheesecake shooters to please every palate.) And if you have a theme in mind, don’t worry – everything is customizable. From elegant winter wonderland cupcakes to cookies adorned with your company’s logo, we’ll tailor the desserts to match your vision.

What types of holiday events can Woodbine cater with sweets? Just to name a few:

• Office holiday parties: Impress employees and clients with a dessert table piled high with goodies. (We regularly bake for corporate events and holiday parties and can even add your logo or colors to the treats)

• Family gatherings: Too busy roasting the turkey or prepping the roast? Let us handle dessert. We bake seasonal cakes (think pumpkin spice or apple spice flavors) and assorted treats that will delight guests of all ages.

• Community events & fundraisers: Nothing draws a crowd like a beautiful array of cupcakes and cookies. We can help you spread cheer (and raise funds) with sweet favors packaged for guests to take home.

• Cookie exchanges & parties: Hosting a cookie exchange? We’ll bake those batches for you – from classic snickerdoodles to iced gingerbread men – so you can join the fun without the stress.

  

  Assorted holiday cookies for your next party

If you’re wondering about delivery – we do that too. Woodbine offers local delivery throughout Marin County (from Sausalito up to Petaluma), ensuring your desserts arrive fresh and picture-perfect for the party.

And of course, no great party menu starts and ends with dessert! Many hosts love to balance our sweets with a simple, fresh meal from nearby favorites. We want to shout out some of Marin’s wonderful local options for the savory side – Humbowl (humbowleats.com) in San Rafael, which serves wholesome California-style bowls that cater to every diet, or farm-to-table restaurants such as Farmshop Marin and Insalata’s for seasonal mains. Pairing a light, colorful dinner with a Woodbine dessert buffet is the perfect way to keep guests satisfied without overdoing it. Think hearty grain bowls followed by mini cheesecakes, or a classic roast rounded out with petite tarts and cookies. A thoughtful menu like that feels polished, festive, and very Marin.

Festive Flavors & One-of-a-Kind Treats

Part of the holiday magic is in those nostalgic flavors that instantly put everyone in a merry mood. We’re talking eggnog, gingerbread, cinnamon, peppermint – the aromas that make you feel all warm and cozy. Incorporating these flavors into your dessert spread will give your event that extra “wow.” At Woodbine Bakery, we love putting a seasonal twist on our treats. Some favorites this time of year include spiced gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, peppermint fudge brownies, and apple spice cake with caramel drizzle (made with real apples and holiday spices).

Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics. Did you know sugar cookies are the most popular Christmas dessert in the U.S.? They topped the charts in 15 states last year! We adore these buttery soft baked festive cookies – especially when decorated with royal icing, sparkly sprinkles, and a dash of holiday magic. (Our custom sugar cookies can be shaped and decorated as snowflakes, reindeer, company logos – you name it.) Gingerbread men are another beloved staple that never goes out of style – those whimsical spiced cookies claimed the top spot in a few states too, proving they’re still a holiday favorite.

By offering a mix of traditional goodies and unexpected delights, you’ll cater to nostalgic tastes while also giving guests something new to talk about.

And remember, variety is key. Many guests like to sample a bit of everything (especially at a dessert bar). Providing small portions – like mini cupcakes or bite-size tarts – lets people indulge without feeling stuffed. (After all, there’s always room for dessert!) It’s the season of indulgence, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Your guests’ eyes will light up like kids in a candy store – and that’s a holiday memory worth making.

Gift Boxes!

When it comes to holiday shopping, there’s something special about finding gifts that feel personal and local. Marin has so many small businesses worth supporting this time of year — from handmade pottery at Marin Made and home décor at Susan Hayes Handwovens, to artisan olive oils at McEvoy Ranch or sustainable treasures at Sustainable Exchange in San Rafael. Pair a thoughtful local find with something edible, like a bottle of wine from FolkTable or a few bars from Marin Chocolate Company, and you’ve got a gift that feels heartfelt and uniquely Northern California.

And, if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you definitely can’t go wrong gifting cookies! Edible gifts bring instant joy – and you won’t find anyone asking for a gift receipt! In fact, surveys show 73% of Americans would rather receive a food gift for the holidays over a material object, and nearly 70% say food gifts feel more heartfelt and thoughtful. It makes sense: sharing a box of handcrafted treats is really sharing an experience – something to enjoy together with loved ones. 

Don’t forget to check out our holiday preorder Bakeshop that is stocked full of sweet treats for any occasion. This years best sellers will be our popular “oh fudge” gift sets along with our famous cinnamon rolls making a comeback.

Cinnamon rolls are available for pickup or take and bake to sweeten any morning.

Classic cinnamon rolls or sticky pecan buns with a malted cinnamon cream cheese frosting

At Woodbine Bakery, we offer Holiday Cookie Boxes that are as fun to give as they are to devour. Each box is packed with an assortment of our classic cookies and seasonal specialties, baked fresh to order. You’ll find favorites like:

• Holiday M&M Cookies – our soft, chewy sugar cookie packed with red and green M&Ms for a pop of color and chocolatey goodness.

• White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies – a heavenly blend of sweet and tangy, with dried cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate chunks. (This flavor screams holidays!)

• Sea-Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies – a Woodbine best-seller year-round. Classic chocolate chip elevated with a pinch of sea salt on top for that sweet-salty bliss.

• Snowball Cookies (Mexican Wedding Cookies) – bite-sized butter cookies with finely chopped pecans, rolled in powdered sugar “snow.” They literally melt in your mouth. (and if you’re planning a wedding, you might love our guide to choosing the perfect wedding cake).”

• Iced Sugar Cookies – buttery sugar cookies cut into festive shapes (think trees, stars, snowmen) and decorated with vanilla icing and sprinkles. Almost too pretty to eat…almost.

Our cookie boxes make perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors, clients, or anyone who deserves a little sweetness. They also double as a great hostess gift – imagine showing up to a party with a beautiful box of artisanal cookies instead of the usual wine bottle. (Trust us, you’ll be invited back next year!) It’s no wonder food gifting spikes during the winter holidays: nearly half of all annual food gift purchases happen during this season, with baked goods and sweets being some of the most popular choices.

Quality is key with edible gifts, and we take it seriously. Every cookie in a Woodbine Bakery box is made from scratch with real butter, pure extracts, and zero shortcuts – just as you’d bake them at home, if you had the time. 🍪✨ We even offer custom touches like adding a personal note or branding. For corporate gifts, we can include your company logo on the cookie packaging or create custom logo sugar cookies for a branded treat . (Nothing says “thank you for a great year” like a client’s logo in icing on a delicious cookie!)

This year we are offering 3 pack logo cookies. Gift these to your best customers or lead sales as a thank you for supporting your business.

Pro Tip: Order your holiday cookie boxes early. Our bakery does holiday presales each year and tends to book up as we get closer to Christmas. Since everything is baked fresh and made-to-order, a little advance notice will ensure you snag all the goodies you want. Sign up for our email list to get first dibs on holiday offerings and pickup dates. We promise to make it worth your while – your only challenge will be resisting the urge to sneak a cookie from the gift box for yourself!

Bringing It All Together: A Holiday to Remember

As the year winds down, it’s these little moments of indulgence and togetherness that shine the brightest. A beautiful dessert spread at your party, a tin of cookies given with love, a local meal shared among friends – they all add up to real holiday magic. We hope these ideas have sparked your excitement to celebrate (and maybe made your sweet tooth tingle).

At Woodbine Bakery, nothing makes us happier than helping our community create delicious memories. From catering your holiday events to crafting custom cookie boxes that warm hearts, we’re here to make your season sweeter and easier. Go ahead and plan that party or send that gift – we’ll handle the baking, you enjoy the moment. After all, the holidays come but once a year, so let’s make them truly scrumptious. Here’s to a season filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of sweet treats for all!

Happy Holidays from Woodbine Bakery! 

Sources:

• Sysco Foodie – Holiday dessert trends (indulgence and seasonal flavors) foodie.sysco.comfoodie.sysco.com

• OnFocus News – Popular Christmas desserts by state (sugar cookies, etc.) onfocus.newsonfocus.news

• Omaha Steaks Survey – Popularity of food gifts (73% prefer food gifts) download.iprsoftware.com

• Supermarket News – Trends in food gifting during holidays supermarketnews.com

• Harris Poll/iHeart Survey – Americans indulging in holiday sweets (party for desserts, 74% indulge more) 981thebreeze.iheart.com981thebreeze.iheart.com

Local Spotlights: San Rafael Favorites

Humbowl

Located in downtown San Rafael, Humbowl serves nourishing, build-your-own bowls made from fresh, whole ingredients. Everything on the menu is gluten-free, and many options are vegan or vegetarian. The team takes pride in creating a positive, inclusive workplace and serving food that’s both good for the body and the community.👉 humbowleats.com

Sustainable Exchange

Just a few blocks away, Sustainable Exchange makes sustainable living simple and accessible. The shop features refill stations for household and body care products, plus a curated mix of eco-friendly goods from local makers. It’s a community favorite for anyone looking to reduce waste and shop with purpose.👉 sustainablexchange.com

Farmshop Marin

Inside the Marin Country Mart, Farmshop offers seasonal, farm-to-table California cuisine in an elevated yet approachable setting. Their menus celebrate local farmers and purveyors, making it a perfect spot for holiday gatherings or dinner before dessert.👉 farmshopca.com

Insalata’s

A Marin institution known for Mediterranean-inspired dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. Insalata’s combines warmth and sophistication—ideal for catering a festive dinner or simply enjoying a relaxed holiday meal with friends.👉 insalatas.com

Marin Made

A collective of local artists and craftspeople offering handmade ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and fine art. It’s the perfect place to find meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts that support the local creative community.👉 marinmade.com

Susan Hayes Handwovens

Susan’s shop features hand-loomed textiles and curated home décor that bring artistry and craftsmanship into everyday life. Her weavings make thoughtful gifts that reflect Marin’s artisanal spirit.👉 susanhayeshandwovens.com

McEvoy Ranch

Famous for its award-winning olive oils and small-batch pantry goods, McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma captures the essence of Northern California’s agricultural beauty. Their products make elegant additions to gift baskets or holiday tables.👉 mcevoyranch.com

FolkTable

Based in Sonoma, FolkTable crafts expressive wines that pair beautifully with local foods. A bottle from their collection is a refined complement to any dessert table or host gift.👉 folktable.com

Marin Chocolate Company

Handcrafted truffles, bars, and confections made locally in Marin County. Their ethically sourced chocolate and bold seasonal flavors make every bite a celebration of local artistry.👉 marinchocolate.com