Brunch is a great way to fellowship with other believers, and hosting one is another way to extend hospitality to those around you, such as new members in your church. It is also a great way to celebrate holidays, especially Mother’s Day.
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I just recently read the devotional The Living Table by Abby Turner and loved it so much.
It teaches the importance of the table and the role it should play in our lives as Christians. She describes the table as the single most important piece of furniture we have and the various ways that we should use it: to connect with others, to teach the Word of God, to serve people, to host parties, to welcome guests, and to celebrate life. Who knew?! I don’t even have a kitchen table in my tiny apartment, but now I think I had better make room.
She also teaches that we are to be a balance of Martha and Mary, both keeping the home as Martha did and encouraging guests as Mary did. One way to do this is by inviting others to your table. God wants us to live in fellowship with other believers, and your table is a great place to do this. Jesus wants us to invite people to learn about His love for them. Welcome people over and begin building relationships with them.
How to Host a Brunch
- Choose a day and time, traditionally Saturday or Sunday at 10:00 AM.
- Make a guest list and send invitations about a couple of weeks in advance.
- Request an RSVP so you know how many people to expect. Call those you haven’t heard from to find out if they are coming.
- Choose a theme, if you’d like
- Plan your Menu
- Pick a color palette
- Make a list of everything you need to purchase, rent, or borrow (including ingredients and decorations)
- Make place cards for your guests, if you’d like, and put them in small frames that they can take home as gifts.
- Set the table the night before. Set out trivets where you will want to place the casserole dishes.
- Add a few well-placed floral arrangements.
Fun Brunch Theme Suggestions
I found these great brunch theme suggestions on The Spruce. Continue reading for my ideas on how to expand on each theme with tablescape and menu suggestions.
Garden Brunch: Use potted flowers and herbs as decor and then send home as gifts.
Muffin Tin: Cook or serve all menu items in muffin tins or cups.
Pajama Brunch: Serve a traditional breakfast to guests dressed in their best PJs.
International Brunch: Serve eggs with salsa, strudel, éclairs, and other international dishes.
Coffee & Donut Bar: Serve a variety of both along with some healthy choices such as fresh fruit.
Fondue Brunch: Serve fruits and cubes of cake and bread, meats and veggies with pots of melted chocolate, cheese, and oil.
GARDEN BRUNCH
When I think of a garden themed brunch, it reminds me of spring or summer.
The weather is nice so you can set up your table on your patio, deck, or even on your lawn.
At a garden themed brunch, I would serve:
- Spinach and Bacon Hash Brown Quiche
- Chicken and Waffle Sliders
- Fresh Fruit Board with Ricotta
- Strawberries and Cream Scones
- Tea and fresh squeezed fruit juices
Pictured: Garden Blooms tablescape from Kate Aspen.
Shop looks to wear to a garden themed brunch:
MUFFIN TIN BRUNCH
Fall is the beginning of baking season and therefore, the perfect time to host a muffin tin brunch where everything is cooked in a muffin tin.
At this brunch, I would serve:
- Sausage Egg & Cheese Breakfast Tots
- Oatmeal Cups with Yogurt and Fruit
- A variety of muffins, such as: Healthy Banana Muffins, Cranberry Orange Rosemary Muffins, and Maple Bacon Corn Muffins
- Tea, coffee, and fresh squeezed fruit juices
Pictured: Autumn Bouquet Table Setting from Sophistiplate.
Sweater dresses are perfect for a fall brunch. They are warm, comfortable, and stylish. I also like shirt dresses in fall colors and prints. Tip: Wear the short dresses as tops with leggings. Shop fall brunch looks:
PAJAMA BRUNCH
Anytime is a great time for a pajama brunch but I would probably go with winter because of the wider selection of pajama options to choose from, as well as the cozy footwear.
Traditional breakfast items are served at a pajama brunch. This is what I would include on my menu:
Pictured: Mimosa Table Setting from Sophistiplate.
Shop looks to wear to a pajama themed brunch:
INTERNATIONAL BRUNCH
An international brunch would be great at any time of the year. I personally would probably choose summer and would include the following on my international menu:
🇧🇪Belgian Waffles topped with…
🇨🇦Maple Syrup
🏴Mixed Berry Scones with Lemon Glaze
🇫🇷Pastries such as eclairs and croissants
Pictured: Everyday Scarlet Table Setting from Sophistiplate.
When it comes to hosting or attending an international themed, I would go with bold patterns when it comes to my wardrobe suggestions. Again, I recommend wearing short dresses as tops. Shop looks to wear to an international themed brunch:
COFFEE & DONUT BAR
Donuts are best eaten in the colder months when you can spare a few extra inches, right? Of all the brunch themes, this one is the simplest because you can just buy the donuts and the coffee. Or, if you prefer to keep your calorie intake under control all year long, you may opt to serve some healthy homemade donuts like I would:
Or, if you prefer to keep your calorie intake under control all year long, you may opt to serve some healthy homemade donuts like I would:
I know virtually nothing about coffee, so I had to do some research about what type to serve. If you want to play barista, here are some coffee drinks that you can make at home that pair well with donuts:
FONDUE BRUNCH
A fondue brunch is a fun theme for any time of year. The possibilities of what to serve are only limited by your imagination since you can make bite-sized versions of about anything that you like. Here is what I would serve for a fondue brunch:
Warm pots of spicy queso dip, maple syrup, sausage gravy, and chocolate.
- Pair chorizo frittata rolled tortillas with the spicy queso dip.
- Pair French toast sticks and waffle fingers with warm maple syrup.
- Pair breakfast sausage meatballs, tater tots, and mini bite-sized biscuits with sausage gravy.
- Cube croissants and pair it, donut holes, and fresh fruit with melted chocolate.
What to Serve
What you choose to serve for brunch will depend on what theme you choose. However, Martha Stewart suggests this guideline: one egg dish, a hearty dish, fresh fruit or pastries, cocktails or mocktails, ice water and fresh squeezed juices. Seems like bacon should be somewhere on this menu, no? The Spruce adds coffee and tea to the list of traditional brunch menu items.
Christmas Brunch
Set a festive Christmas table the night before and then enjoy a feast the next morning after opening gifts.
Serve dishes that can be made ahead such as Bacon Cheese Quiche, or that are quick to make such as Gingerbread pancakes. Another option: 1 Hour Vegan Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls.
Shop Christmas PJs:
Have you ever hosted a brunch? What advice would you add? Would you rather host a brunch or arrange for one to be held in a restaurant? Please comment below.
Until next time! 😋🍴🥞
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I love how thorough the list is! Pajama brunch sounds like so much fun ❤❤❤
Thank you! And yes, that sounds like a fun one. 😊
Such a fun post! Love the brunch ideas!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Oh my gosh I love brunch!! I wanted to host one for my 21st but because of Covid I don’t think I’ll be able to. Love this post though, thank you for sharing!
Covid has ruined so many things. You are welcome. Hopefully, you will get to host a brunch soon. 🙏🏽
I absolutely love brunch! These are such fun ideas for hosting brunch for friends or family. I love your ideas of picking a color palette and putting out floral arrangements. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you! I really enjoy brunch, too. It is a special treat. You are welcome; I am so glad you were inspired! 😊
This is such a fun idea! Especially with a cute colour palette! Love connecting with people this way.
Yes, choosing a color palette is inspired! 😊
Ooooh I love me a good brunch! My friends and I often do a Sunday potluck style brunch during football season. We live in Hawaii, so the early games start at 7AM! So brunch and mimosas it is.
I am still getting used to college games starting at 9AM, here in L.A., and brunch is always a part of the game watch parties. It is a great meal for that. 😊
I love these brunch ideas, Robyn! Very creative and makes me want to host some ladies =) Thank you for sharing!
I am glad that you are inspired to host some ladies. I am, too! Thank you. 😊
Sold! I love brunch so all these ideas are great and will be put to good use in the near future! Not gonna lie, I prefer to be on the eating and not cooking end but these ideas are very motivating 🙂
Yes, I agree about being on the eating side, too! But I was inspired by these themes, so I may take one day off from attending to host one, myself. 😊
I love brunch get togethers with my girlfriends! Can’t wait to implement some of these ideas, especially the PJ one.
Yes, brunch is a great time to fellowship with your women friends! I want to try the PJ one, too. 😊
Brunch seems to be universally loved by all age groups! I love hosting one mid-winter, after the hubbub of the holidays has subsided, but before “outdoor” weather returns. Thanks for the ideas for themes!
That is a great time to host a brunch, like right around Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day. You are welcome; those themes are great! 🤩
Brunch is my favorite to host. Great ideas.
I haven’t tried, yet, but it definitely seems like it would be a lot of fun! Thank you 😊
You’ve got my wheels turning for a Mother’s Day brunch! Thanks girl!
That’s a great idea. The restaurants are usually so packed, so hosting your own at home is a fun alternative. You’re welcome 😊
I love brunch! Definitely agree that bacon should be included on the must have list. I also love the idea of a coffee and donut theme
I know, right?! What’s not to like about brunch. Agree, a coffee and donut theme is simple, yet fun theme to pull together. 😊