How Many Olives to Put Out for a Holiday Party
Every year somebody ends up checking the couch cushions for the last stuffed olive. Or staring at two untouched jars on the 26th. We pack olives for a living, so here is how we plan it.
The quick math
If olives are one of several things on the table, count on 6 to 8 olives per guest. If they are the main snack, like a martini night or a big cheese board, double it. Stuffed olives disappear first, so lean that way.
Our rule of thumb: about three jars for 12 people, five or six for 25. When in doubt, buy the extra jar. Olives keep.
Put out more than one kind
One bowl of one olive gets boring by the second hour. Pick three:
- Something briny and classic. Kalamata or a mixed jar.
- Something stuffed. Garlic stuffed or blue cheese stuffed. These are the ones people hover over.
- Something for the picky guest. Pimento stuffed never offends anyone.
Then add one non-olive jar. Cocktail onions and pickled garlic both look good on a board and give people something to talk about.
What goes with them
Olives are salty, so give them something plain to land on. Crackers, a sharp cheese, cured meat, a loaf of good bread. Spread a little muffaletta spread on a baguette slice and you have an appetizer without turning on the oven.
Or skip the planning
Our holiday boxes are 12 hand-packed jars, already mixed for the season, with 10% off applied. The Thanksgiving Harvest Table Box and the Christmas Holiday Party Box are packed in Orland, California. Free shipping on orders over $90. Order a little early so it lands before your party, not during it.
See the Christmas Holiday Party Box
Quick answers
How many olives per person for a party?
Plan on 6 to 8 olives per guest when there are other snacks. Plan on 12 to 16 if olives are the main event.
Should olives be served cold?
They taste better a little cooler than room temperature. Pull them from the fridge about 20 minutes before guests arrive.
How long do open jars keep?
Refrigerate after opening and keep the olives under the brine. Check the label on your jar for details.
