The office manager's 2026-2027 calendar: the key moments of the year and a typical budget per person

The office manager's calendar from November 2026 to June 2027 has eight key moments, for a typical budget of €98.57 excl. VAT per employee in a team of 30 people, deliveries included and excluding drinks for the cocktail receptions. Here, for each one, are the format, the budget per person calculated from the catalogue and when to raise it internally.

What are the key moments of the year for an office manager?

From November 2026 to June 2027, eight key moments set the rhythm of the year: the end of the year, the New Year greetings, Chandeleur (crêpe day) on 2 February, Valentine's Day on 14 February, 8 March, Easter on 28 March, the May bridge days and the Fête de la Musique on 21 June. The table gives the recommended format and the budget per person.

Period	Key moment	Recommended format	Budget per person excl. VAT	When to launch internally
November and December 2026	Christmas and end of year (dates to check)	Christmas breakfast or 8-canapé cocktail reception	from €8 or €29.90	D-45
January 2027	New Year greetings and galette (date to check)	New Year breakfast, galette as an extra	from €8	In December, quote 3 weeks before
2 February 2027	Chandeleur	Delivered crêpes, or an on-site crêpe station	Afternoon break from €6	1 week before
14 February 2027	Valentine's Day	Box of 24 macarons at €64.00 (8 to 12 people)	€5.33 to €8.00	1 week before
8 March 2027	International Women's Day	Breakfast or afternoon break, personalised madeleines	from €6; box of 20 madeleines: €4.08 to €6.13	1 week before, announcement to the team
28 March 2027	Easter	Chocolate break the week before	Afternoon break from €6	1 week before
May 2027	1 May and bridge days (dates to check)	Lunch trays for the team present	€28.90 to €30.90	As soon as the headcount present is known
21 June 2027	Fête de la Musique, after-work drinks	L'Invitation cocktail reception, 8 canapés	€29.90	3 weeks before

The detailed guides: office end-of-year celebrations 2026 and galette des rois at the office. For the New Year greetings, a costed guide for 30, 60 and 100 people is in New Year greetings ceremony at work.

What budget should you plan per employee over the year?

For a team of 30 people, seven key moments come to €2,957 excl. VAT including deliveries, so €98.57 excl. VAT per employee, excluding drinks for the cocktail receptions. The May bridge days are not included: their cost depends on the headcount present. Each line is calculated as price per person × 30 + €29 excl. VAT delivery.

Key moment	Format	Calculation	Total excl. VAT
Christmas, end of year	8-canapé cocktail reception	30 × €29.90 + €29	€926
New Year greetings	Classique breakfast	30 × €8 + €29	€269
Chandeleur	Afternoon break	30 × €6 + €29	€209
Valentine's Day	Afternoon break	30 × €6 + €29	€209
8 March	Afternoon break	30 × €6 + €29	€209
Easter	Afternoon break	30 × €6 + €29	€209
Fête de la Musique	8-canapé cocktail reception	30 × €29.90 + €29	€926
Total		€98.57 per person	€2,957

The two cocktail receptions account for 63% of the budget. Spread over the eight months from November to June, the budget comes to €369.63 excl. VAT a month. Add €198.50 excl. VAT per cocktail reception for alcohol-free drinks for 30 people (5 bottles of 0% Chardonnay and 12 litres of juice): the total rises to €3,354 excl. VAT, so €111.80 excl. VAT per person. The details are in the guide to the alcohol-free corporate cocktail reception.

What should you plan in practice for each key moment?

Each key moment has a reference product and quantity. The figures below are for a team of 30 people, in euros excl. VAT.

• Chandeleur: 20 crêpes for €58.90, Alain Milliat jam pots and chocolate spread included.
• Valentine's Day: 3 to 4 boxes of 24 macarons at €64.00, so €192 to €256.
• 8 March: 3 to 4 boxes of 20 madeleines at €49.00, so €147 to €196, for the whole team and not just the women.
• Easter: 80 to 100 g of chocolate per person, so 2.4 to 3 kg, the week before.
• Fête de la Musique: 8-canapé cocktail reception, 5 bottles of 0% Chardonnay and 12 litres of juice, so €1,124.50 and €37.48 per person.

When should you raise each key moment internally?

Raise it internally 3 weeks ahead for a cocktail reception, 1 week ahead for a breakfast or an afternoon break, and 45 days ahead for the end-of-year party. This rule breaks down into four steps.

• D-45 for the end of the year: budget, format and date, with the countdown plan from the end-of-year guide.
• 3 weeks before a cocktail reception: date, venue, estimated headcount and quote request.
• 1 week before a break: headcount, dietary requirements and delivery time.
• The day before, before 2 pm: firm order; 48 hours' notice from 50 people.

The list of points to check before each order is in the office manager's checklist.

How do you split the budget between big and small moments?

Keep two big moments, the end of the year and the June after-work drinks, and four breaks at €6 excl. VAT per person: the two cocktail receptions account for €1,852 out of €2,957, so 63%, and the four breaks €836. The afternoon breaks page lists the products for the four breaks.

Which dates should you check before announcing them?

Six dates are fixed: Chandeleur on 2 February, Valentine's Day on 14 February, 8 March, Easter on 28 March 2027, 1 May and the Fête de la Musique on 21 June. The dates of Christmas and the end of the year, the New Year greetings, Epiphany and the May bridge days need checking. Also check the day of the week: deliveries run Monday to Friday.

Which common mistakes should you avoid in the calendar?

• Concentrating everything in December: a single big moment costs more than four breaks at €209 excl. VAT for 30 people.
• Forgetting the bridge days: the headcount present drops, and individual lunch trays adjust better than a buffet.
• Ordering for the full headcount rather than for confirmed attendees plus 10%.
• Choosing a date with no delivery: check that it falls Monday to Friday.
• Forgetting the minimum order: €50 excl. VAT, with delivery at €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns.

Frequently asked questions about the office manager's calendar

How do you request a quote for your calendar?

Give the key moments you have chosen, the headcount and the delivery addresses: the quote is sent within 24 hours, with company invoicing, VAT and purchase orders accepted. Request your quote. L'Écrin Traiteur prices, October 2026.