What you need for a Christmas brunch

A Christmas brunch needs more than bread, eggs and coffee. Plan food and drinks by guest count, then check whether you have enough plates, cups, glasses, serving dishes and hot equipment. Fresh produce, pastries and dairy need space in the fridge, while decorations, napkins and other non-perishables can be bought earlier. Use this list to avoid the items people most often remember only when guests are arriving.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Breakfast platesqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 36
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Teaspoonsqty 40

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 8
Bread knivesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 5
Christmas napkinsqty 40
Christmas garlandsqty 4
Christmas arrangementsqty 5
Christmas baublesqty 30

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Dishpanqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- White sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 3 loaves
- Mini croissants - 36 pieces
- Mini Sandwiches - 36 Pieces
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Plain cream cheese - 600 grams
- Hummus - 600 grams
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 1 jar
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 800 grams
- Goat cheese - 500 grams
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast topping - 750 grams
- Salami - 500 grams
- Eggs - 48 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 1,5 kilograms
- Potatoes - 4 kilograms
- Spinach - 1.5 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Red bell pepper - 6 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Chives - 4 bunches
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Mandarins - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 3 kilograms
- Muesli - 1 kilogram
- Christmas stollen - 3 pieces
- Mini muffins - 36 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 40 pieces
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pesto sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 4 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each following hour. Include coffee, tea and water as well as any festive drinks on your menu.
Buy bread and pastries as close to serving time as practical, ideally the same morning or the day before. Keep fresh produce, dairy and prepared salads chilled until the buffet is ready.
Count tableware by guest and add at least 10% extra: for 20 guests, that means 22 plates, cups, glasses and sets of cutlery. Breakfast plates and dinner plates serve different parts of the meal.
Prepare separate containers and serving utensils for allergen-free food before shopping day. Label them clearly and keep them apart during preparation and on the buffet.
Check hot and cold holding before the event: hot dishes need hot trays, while salads and other chilled food need coolers or enough refrigerator space. Test coffee machines, kettles, extension cords and power strips the day before.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Allow about 5 to 7 savoury portions and 2 to 3 sweet portions per guest, depending on how long the brunch lasts. For 20 guests, plan roughly 100 to 140 savoury portions and 40 to 60 sweet portions across the full menu.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Buy or borrow one complete place setting per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 people, prepare 22 dinner or breakfast plates as needed, 22 coffee cups, 22 water glasses and enough wine glasses for the drinks you will serve.
When should I shop for a Christmas brunch?: Buy non-perishable groceries, napkins and decorations 3 to 7 days ahead. Buy bread, pastries, vegetables, dairy and other fresh ingredients 1 day ahead or on the morning itself, depending on storage space.
How much coffee and tea do I need for brunch?: Plan around 2 cups of coffee or tea per guest for a two-hour brunch, then add 1 extra cup per person as a buffer. For 20 guests, that is at least 40 cups, with enough hot water and thermos capacity to serve them without constant refilling.

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