Christmas brunch ideas are aplenty this year. I’ve got you covered with all you need to keep hearts filled and bellies full. Between menu planning, entertainment, and table centerpieces, you can find it all right here.
Christmas will be here in just a few short weeks. Maybe you’re already tired of the gleeful songs, the clutter of festive recipes all over your newsfeed, and the endless marketing emails for all the “best gifts.” Despite this, once the day arrives we will all want to stop time to cherish everything for just a little bit longer.
It’s a time for snuggling close to loved ones, filling up on rich, tasty foods, and watching our friends’ and families’ faces as they open up the gifts we so carefully selected for them.
I don’t know about you, but in recent years I’ve been turned on to the idea of a Christmas brunch. It just sounds so cozy.
Brunches are great because you get all the breakfast food (and more) you’ve been craving, without the expectation that it needs to be made at the crack of dawn. You can still enjoy a slow Christmas morning (or a morning filled with shrieks and paper being torn to bits if you have young children).
A Christmas brunch doesn’t need to be elaborate, and you don’t even need to celebrate with anyone outside of your household… Just taking the time and effort to make the morning just a little extra special can make it that much better.
This year I think we will be staying cozy in bed for as long as we can before opening gifts and gathering around the table for a meal. That being said, I still want it to feel like a special occasion. Even if we are still in our pajamas and not hosting a large, fancy get together.
So, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ideas for making a fun, festive brunch for the holidays this year (even if you choose to host this on Christmas Eve or postpone it until closer to New Years).
Simple and sweet, my Christmas brunch ideas are perfect for starting your new family tradition. You don’t even need to break any others to start it!
Here are some of my best Christmas brunch ideas this year.
Christmas Brunch Ideas
The Menu | Christmas brunch ideas
You can’t have a brunch without the food! I’ll admit, when I originally planned for a Christmas morning brunch, I really only thought about the food going into it. Brunches are more casual, so you really don’t have to add much else. But that doesn’t mean the menu should be boring.
I’ve rounded up a few different menu combinations for those who are looking to spice things up. I’ve even linked a few recipes from other bloggers, with a couple of my own recipes too.
Menu 1 – for the vegetarians
Spinach, caramelized onion and mozzarella crustless quiche
Bagels with a variety of sweet and savory cream cheeses (bake them from scratch a few days before and freeze until 24 hours before OR just pick some up from Panera the day before)
Caesar salad (save yourself some time and buy a salad kit from Trader Joe’s)
Fresh orange slices
Sangria (I’m obsessed with this non-alcoholic sangria recipe)
Menu 2 – for those who love extravagance & tradition
Doughnuts (skip homemade and pick some up the day before at your local doughnut shop)
Hot chocolate bar (with marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and whipped cream)
Menu 3 – for the adventurous foodies
Grilled salmon
Roasted potatoes, peppers, and onions
Classic, Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls (and no one has to know if you choose to buy a can instead of making them from scratch)
Wine of choice (grape/cranberry juice for the kids)
You can swap these for other things or combine some of these ideas for your very own brunch menu. But these are some of my favorites.
If all else fails, don’t be afraid to choose pre-made items, make some things ahead, and/or order what you can from a restaurant the day before. Christmas brunch should not be stressful.
The Table Centerpiece | Christmas brunch ideas
Now is the time to get creative and forget about impressing others. Just decorate for fun. This could be simple or more elaborate if decorating excites you.
Here are some creative tablescape ideas:
Winter Wonderland with cotton ball “snow”, snow globes, paper snowflake cut-outs, and white candles
Festive Woodlands with pine cones, branches of wintergreens and evergreens bundled up, and berries or dried oranges scattered about
Santa’s Helpers using a miniature vintage Christmas truck, mini deer or elf figurines, and lots of silver sequins to emulate glistening ice crystals
You can go much simpler, of course. Even adding a vase of dried greens and holly berries to the center makes a lovely statement. If you have little ones, you may even want to let them take this little project over. Less work for you, more entertainment for them!
The Entertainment | Christmas brunch ideas
The beauty of hosting a Christmas brunch is that the entertainment is already kind of taken care of. Gift opening, Christmas music, playing with new gadgets and toys. Usually there isn’t a whole lot of extra thought you need to put into it. But if you want some other activity ideas under your belt, I have a few more things to add to the mix.
Here are some more ways to make this brunch feel extra special:
Holiday movies watched over a projector while lounging on a homemade pillow fort
Festive crafts to keep little ones occupied
A card game or board game with the entire family
Christmas cookie decorating before serving them as dessert
Building a fire to sip hot cocoa around
Sledding or making snowmen if you have snow on the ground
There is nothing quite like making memories on Christmas morning. Whatever you do, do it with vigor and joy.
More Entertaining Posts Like This
Spring Table Decor For Your Next Dinner Party
I made the cinnamon roll recipe today, and they are the most delicious thing I’ve ever made. Excellent recipe! Keep ‘em coming!