Before you can accommodate individual food allergies, it helps to identify them. If someone in your immediate family has a suspected food allergy, consult with your healthcare provider to determine if allergy testing is warranted. 

When inviting people to your holiday gatherings, inquire about potential food allergies and what adaptations would be helpful. Try to include options void of the most allergenic foods and a few allergy friendly snacks.

Educate yourself about food allergies in general and about any specific allergens unique to your guests, and then pass on critical information to those in attendance. For example, you might explain that trace amounts of allergens can cause a reaction, identify potential hidden sources of a specific allergen, provide instructions for dealing with food-related emergencies, and warn about cross-contact via utensils, surfaces, and more.^5,7,8 

If you’ve identified specific food allergies among your guests, consider a menu that includes some options void of these allergens and take the necessary precautions to prevent cross-contact. (See below.) But if specific allergens haven’t been identified, you can eliminate the most common culprits from at least a few of your offerings and/or ask guests not to bring anything containing these items. Foods most associated with reactions in children are milk, eggs, and peanuts. In adults, the offenders are fruits and vegetables (via a condition called Oral Allergy Syndrome), peanuts/tree nuts, and fish/shellfish.³   

To prevent potentially allergenic foods from contacting (and perhaps contaminating) “safe” foods, ensure such items are never in close proximity to each other. After preparing potentially allergenic food, wash related cutting boards, surfaces, utensils, and cooking pans/grills with soap and water. Consider using separate dishes and utensils for safe foods versus those that may cause a reaction.⁸   

When preparing food for your event, read food labels carefully to check for all forms of allergens, and label each dish with a list of its ingredients so guests can easily identify those that may cause symptoms.⁷ If you’re serving packaged food, keep the labels so food-allergic guests can inspect the items themselves. 

Keep in mind, alcoholic beverages may contain allergenic food items. For example, some types of beer can include wheat or pine nuts, and dairy items might be found in cream liqueurs and cocktails such as piña coladas.

If you’ve planned an allergen-conscious menu but your guests still want to bring something to contribute, ask them to provide plates, cups, napkins, or decor instead of food.⁷

Establish a plan of action for severe reactions and post it in a central locale for the gathering. 

To create the ultimate allergy-friendly holiday gathering, remove food from the event altogether. Rather, focus the festivities on an experience such as sledding, bowling, holiday movies, etc.⁷