What to Buy for a Christmas Brunch

A Christmas brunch needs more than bread, eggs and coffee. Plan the food by guest count, then check tableware, serving equipment, buffet furniture and cold storage before shopping. Fresh products, drinks and chilled desserts are easy to underestimate, while items such as teaspoons, serving tongs and food warmers are often forgotten. Use this list to prepare a buffet that can be served without last-minute trips to the shop.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Breakfast platesqty 36
Cake platesqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Wine glassesqty 36
Knivesqty 36
Forksqty 36
Teaspoonsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Butterfly netsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Frying pansqty 2
Baking dishesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3

Decorations

Table runnersqty 5
Christmas arrangementsqty 5
Christmas baublesqty 30
Christmas garlandsqty 4

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- White sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini croissants - 36 pieces
- Christmas stollen - 3 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Plain cream cheese - 600 grams
- Hummus - 600 grams
- Young cheese - 1.2 kilograms
- Brie - 600 gram
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Ham shank - 800 grams
- Turkey breast - 600 grams
- Eggs - 36 pieces
- Coffee cream - 1 liter
- Full-fat yogurt - 3 liter
- Granola - 1 kilogram
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Chives - 4 bunches
- Parsley - 3 bunches
- Potatoes - 3 kg
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Spinach - 750 grams
- Bacon strips - 750 grams
- Vegetarian bacon strips - 500 grams
- Frittata mix - 2 kilograms
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Fresh oranges - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 3 kilograms
- Christmas cookies - 3 packs
- Chocolate dessert sauce - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 5 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces

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 cold drinks you are serving.
For a buffet, provide at least one breakfast plate, fork and knife per guest, plus 10% extra. Add one coffee cup and teaspoon per guest; teaspoons are among the first items to run short.
Buy fresh vegetables, yogurt, eggs and other chilled products no more than 1–2 days before the brunch. Chill drinks and fresh food before guests arrive, using coolers if refrigerator space is limited.
Allow one serving platter or bowl for each major buffet item and keep separate serving spoons or tongs for different dishes. Label dietary meals separately so guests can identify them without asking.
Check equipment the day before, especially coffee machines, kettles, food warmers and extension cords. Set up the coffee and tea station before the buffet opens so hot drinks do not create a queue.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Christmas brunch per person?: Plan approximately 350–500 g of food per adult across bread, eggs, vegetables, hot dishes, dessert and yogurt. Add 10% extra for a buffet, especially when guests have not chosen fixed portions.
How many drinks should I buy for a Christmas brunch?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Buy enough coffee and tea for at least two hot drinks per guest, plus water throughout the brunch.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Provide one breakfast plate, cake plate, water glass, coffee cup, fork and knife per guest, with 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each frequently used item.
When should I shop for a Christmas brunch?: Buy shelf-stable items, tableware and decorations 3–7 days beforehand. Purchase fresh and chilled products 1–2 days before the brunch, and chill drinks and prepare buffet ingredients on the previous day.

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