What we’re brewing for the office Christmas party (and wrapping for Secret Santa)

The one thing I’m keeping away from the coffee table is the presents. Someone will need both hands to untie a ribbon, and I’d like their Secret Santa to get through the afternoon with dry wrapping paper. So the plan is two tables, a kettle on one and a pile of gifts on the other.

Three mushroom coffees I’d serve at a Christmas party

These are my five-point estimates of how well each drink will work at our party. I considered the flavor, what we can make with an office kettle and how much say each guest gets over their cup. Mushroom Coffee Lab publishes this comparison. I’ve called out our panel’s tasting results separately where they informed my choice.

Brewlune Dawn Patrol for the first pot

Dawn Patrol earns the most space on my table because guests can take it in either direction. In Mushroom Coffee Lab’s October 29 tasting, six tasters gave Dawn Patrol 8.7/10 with 2% milk. They picked up cocoa and toasted nut flavors, and the roast still came through the milk. I’d serve it plain first, then offer milk and a shaker of cocoa for anyone who wants to take it closer to a mocha. The panel tasted the milk version. The extra cocoa is my party idea. Read the black and milk tasting notes.

RYZE for the peppermint mocha crowd

I’d make the RYZE coffee to order and give the peppermint creamer its own spoon. That way, the first person who loves mint can have plenty and the person behind them can skip it. The peppermint flavor comes from a separate seasonal creamer. RYZE makes it with cashew milk and coconut water powder, so I’d put “contains cashew” on the front of the card and keep the package beside it. I’d check availability before putting this one on the invitation. RYZE’s creamer ingredients.

Laird for a one-bag pumpkin spice latte

Laird puts the coffee, coconut milk powder, pumpkin, spices and sweeteners in the same bag, along with mushroom extracts. The directions call for a quarter cup of mix and 12 ounces of hot water. I’d put a measuring cup beside the bag and bring mugs big enough to stir in. It’s the easiest station to set up. The trade-off is that someone who wants more spice and less sweetness can’t adjust the two separately. Laird’s ingredients and preparation directions.

What goes next to the kettle?

Before shopping, I’d ask who wants coffee, who wants a caffeine-free drink, and whether we need to plan around any food allergies. I’d bring a plain herbal tea, leave each mix in its labeled package and give each its own scoop. Milk can stay in the fridge until we’re ready. A small tray for wet spoons is worth finding room for. Otherwise the nearest clean napkin becomes that tray about two cups in.

What I’d wrap for our office Secret Santa

My vote is for an optional exchange with a $25 ceiling agreed before anyone draws a name. We found two ideas worth borrowing in the Christmas Wishlist Guide’s gifts for coworkers. I’d choose between them based on what the person actually does at lunch.

If they keep a bag of ground coffee in their desk, I’d look for the OXO Brew single-serve pour-over. They can brew straight into their mug. I’d skip the brewer for someone who drinks instant coffee, including all three drinks on our party menu. For the coworker who recruits a lunch table for a game, I’d wrap Sushi Go! and tuck in a handwritten offer to play the first round. I’d check the price against our cap before buying either.

Once the names are drawn, my shopping list is short. Enough of the plain coffee for seconds, one seasonal option people have asked for, and gift tags big enough to read from across the room.