Plan a simple menu
Make your life easier this holiday season by planning a doable Christmas brunch menu—preferably one that allows for a seamless execution, even with all the distractions that come along with the time of year. Egg casseroles and vegetable frittatas are just a couple examples of easy-to-make meals. Rather than frying bacon and sausage, bake them on cookie sheets instead to minimize cleanup. Don’t forget to incorporate fresh fruits, including oranges, bananas, strawberries and apples, in a serving bowl. Are little ones attending? Make sure to have kid-friendly brunch options available, too, such as scrambled eggs, muffins and oatmeal.
Prepare the serveware
Once the menu is squared away, the next step is to make sure you have all the necessary Christmas dishes, kitchen utensils and appliances. Start by taking inventory—making two lists: one for everything you already own and another for the items you need. What are some staples to be on the lookout for? Christmas platters, bowls and baking dishes, as well as flatware, ladles and cake cutters. Try to get this completed about a week in advance. Not only does this give you time to reformat the menu as needed, it also provides you with ample time to shop for any accessories that are hard to find at the local supermarket.
Set the table ahead of time
Next, it’s time to make sure the holiday tablescape you’re using for Christmas brunch features a pristine setup. Save yourself from unnecessary stress the morning of by learning how to set the table beforehand—think Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed, or even a few days in advance if you’re hosting everyone in a formal dining room used only for special occasions.. Make sure each invitee has their own dinner plate, salad plate and bowl, as well as a linen napkin folded inside a napkin ring. Stick with classic hues of red and green, or make a modern statement with a table setting that features shades of gold and silver. Don’t forget to set each person up with the appropriate drinkware, too. For instance, water glasses help wash down the meal, while wine glasses and champagne flutes are the perfect vessels for guests' favorite vintages or mocktails. Want to add a little something extra to Christmas brunch? Layer charger plates under the dinnerware. Using the everyday dining table? Hold off on setting the table ahead of time, but do note where you intend for each person to sit, which serving pieces are going to be used and how everything will be organized.
Create a holiday table centerpiece
With the place settings complete, it’s time to focus on creating a tablescape for your Christmas brunch. Not sure where to start? Begin with the most common addition to the table, a centerpiece. Capturing the essence of the holiday, centerpieces take many forms. One option is to fill a glass hurricane with colorful Christmas ornaments, setting it on top of an on-theme table runner with seasonal motifs, such as snowflakes and snowmen. Then, surround the hurricane with greenery and unscented pillar candles. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate leftover wrapping paper, find a few boxes in different sizes and wrap each one in the festive paper. Round out the look by adding brightly-colored bows as well. Place these in the center of the table, making sure none of them encroach on eating space and that their height doesn’t interfere with guests’ line of sight. For a more traditional take, create a floral centerpiece featuring evergreen boughs accented by pine cones.
Designate a kids’ table
Provide your smallest celebrants with their very own place to enjoy the brunch. Start by mimicking the setup at the adults’ table, replacing formal dinnerware with melamine plates, bowls, cups and other durable dishes. Craft paper acts as the tablecloth and also doubles as a blank canvas for them to doodle on with markers and crayons. Want to give the little ones an interactive centerpiece? Consider making candy cane reindeer for the table. First, affix two wiggly eyes halfway up the short side of a candy cane, and add a small red pom pom to the tip for the nose. Then, above the face, at the top of the hook, twist brown pipe cleaners into antler shapes. Lastly, glue each cleaner to the upper hooks of the candy canes—leaving the completed figures in the center of the table for kids to play with. Or, you can leave the craft supplies at the children’s table, letting them make their own reindeer (with adult supervision, of course).
Serve Christmas brunch buffet style
Looking to keep it casual Christmas morning? Forego a fancy tablescape for a buffet-style brunch. Encourage guests to help themselves to a smorgasbord of hearty main entrees, satisfying sides and tasty treats on the nearby sideboard. Indicate where the food line starts by stacking dinner and salad plates at one end, alongside napkin-wrapped flatware in a basket. Then, arrange serving bowls and platters so that they’re easy to reach. Be sure to include several drink dispensers at the end of the line to provide refreshing options, such as fruit-infused water, tea, juices and other favorites. What’s even better? Hosting this type of laid-back gathering opens up space at the dining table—meaning more room for simple centerpieces featuring table runners and candles or faux potted botanicals.
Play games, give gifts and have fun
What’s a meal without a little background music? Prior to the brunch, compile a customized playlist of instrumental versions of Christmas classics to play softly as everyone eats. You can even ask invitees to select some of their personal favorites, too. When the post-meal mingling begins, switch it up by playing more traditional songs with lyrics. If you’re big on gift exchanges, ask friends and family to bring something small for a white elephant. Candles, photo frames, gift cards and other inexpensive items make for excellent presents for a wide range of recipients. For groups who love quieter fun, clear the dining table after eating for a few rounds of a favorite board game or card game.
Prepare dessert
‘Tis the season for all sorts of satisfying sweets. Instead of undertaking the preparation of a dessert table alone, enlist the help of guests. Invite each attendee to bring a platter of their favorite homemade Christmas cookies. Another option: adding a fun twist to the classics, such as sprinkling crushed candy canes over chocolate brownies or using red and green food dye to give sugar cookies a whole new look. Don’t forget about visitors with dietary restrictions. An array of options that are suitable for certain sensitivities, including gluten-free, allergy-friendly, vegetarian and vegan, ensures an all-inclusive atmosphere. Be sure to label foods that fall under these categories to minimize guesswork as everyone lines up for treats.
Set up drink stations
As friends and family gather after the meal to chat, be sure to offer a number of drink options. For instance, a coffee station in the kitchen, complete with mugs, creamer, sugar and spoons, is a lovely way to continue a morning of lively chatter. In the foyer, consider filling drink dispensers with ice water—adding fruit slices or bits of cucumber for a fresh twist. Be sure to leave a set of Christmas drinking glasses nearby for convenience, too. Finally, a mimosa bar in the dining room is sure to be a hit. Include a variety of juice options, such as orange, cranberry and pineapple, and leave chilled bottles of champagne in an ice bucket for easy self-serving.
Enjoy the party
Your work is complete. It’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy the company of good friends and family. Take some time to dig into all the delicious foods, sip on a favorite beverage and indulge in a well-earned dessert.
Looking for more inspiration on how to host a Christmas brunch? Check out other Christmas party ideas for future events. If your Christmas brunch was a huge success, show us the photos using the hashtag #CrateStyle.
