Brunch – the perfect combination of breakfast and lunch, with a side of socializing, drinking cocktails, and trying new, delicious foods. What could be better?
If you’re throwing a brunch party at home, either in your dining room or your backyard, there are some essentials you need to plan for ahead of time. From rounding up the menu and drinks to providing music and decorations, hosting brunch a challenging and exciting experience.
Ready to host a spectacular brunch party for your family and friends? Keep reading to learn the basic etiquette rules of a good host and make your party a success that everyone will talk about.
Decide on a Theme
Before you start planning the food and drinks, decide on a party theme for your brunch. You don’t have to do something extreme, but if you want a beautiful table setting, you should pick a theme and a color palette that’ll go with it.
Your party theme will then help you decide on decorations, floral arrangements and centerpieces. Based on the brunch theme, you can also ask your guests to dress in a certain color or you can give them themed party gift bags.
Choose Decorations
Now that you have a party theme, it’s time to pick decorations and plan the setting of the brunch party. Will you serve the food buffet style or have the guests seated at a table? Is the brunch party a special occasion or a regular brunch with friends?
Based on the nature of the brunch, you can choose the table setting, lighting, glassware, and type of food. For example, if it’s someone’s birthday, you need decorations that’ll congratulate the person who celebrates, along with confetti, balloons, candles, birthday hats, and flowers.
Plan the Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are the foundation of a successful brunch party, so take your time planning the menu and beverages. Ideally, you should have one of each of the following dishes:
- A carb dish (pie, pastries with butter and jam, muffins, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, waffles)
- A vegetable dish (salads, grilled or steamed veggies, baked potatoes, vegetable lasagna)
- A main course dish (meat, devilled eggs, cheese, quiche, sandwiches)
- A fruit-based dish (fruit salad, fruit ice cream, popsicles, smoothies, fruit pizza, fruit pie, yogurt parfait)
- A dessert dish (chocolate mousse, cake, cheesecake, ice cream, macarons, fruit tarts, cupcakes, lava cakes, cookies, energy balls)
Once you decide on the menu, plan the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You can offer wine, cocktails, juices, sangria, iced tea, champagne, sparkling water, spritzer, and lemonade.
Important note: Ask your guests beforehand if they have any food intolerances or allergies so you can plan the meals better and make sure the menu meets everyone’s needs.
Next, no good brunch party should go without a coffee station where guests can mingle and make themselves a cup of fresh coffee. Besides coffee, you’ll need a coffee maker, filters, coffee cups, spoons, sweetener, milk (dairy and non-dairy), and creamer. For the guests who don’t drink coffee, set up a few different types of tea, along with honey and lemon.
We recommend our Sträva Intro Strength Medium Roast, Sträva Intro Strength Decaf and Sträva Regular Strength for your brunch party coffee station.
Next to the coffee station and on the main table, have an assortment of baked goods like croissants, biscotti, muffins, coffee cake, banana bread, scones, and cookies. Here are some ideas for baked goods that pair perfectly with coffee.
Provide Entertainment
Whether you’ll be hiring a DJ or playing music from your laptop, make sure to plan for at least two hours of music. You can play quiet music in the background or hire a live singer or band if you’re hosting the brunch in your backyard.
You can also make a list of fun games you can all play at the table or set up jars with pieces of paper with conversation starters written on them. If the party is buffet style, you can also set up a station with fun games and cards so people can choose the type of entertainment they want to take part in.
Don’t Forget the Little Ones at the Party
If there are kids at the brunch party, make sure there’s a special table, food, and drinks for them as well. If the brunch is in your backyard, set up a separate place for them to play and lounge, and bring some toys, books, snacks, and dessert-decorating stations.
The kids will probably be running around the house or the backyard, so put away any precious items, artwork, or decorations. Also, if you have a pool, make sure it’s fenced or covered so there are no accidents.
Now You Can Host an Unforgettable Brunch Party at Home
Whether you’re having a simple brunch for your family at home or plan to invite your closest friends as well, we hope these ideas help you find inspiration on hosting the ultimate brunch party.
Have you had a brunch party before or you’re hosting for the first time? Let us know on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Frosina A. Ivanovic is a content marketing specialist and writer. She’s passionate about quality coffee, travel, wellness, and digital marketing. You can connect with Frosina on LinkedIn or her website, Zhillmatic.