What to Buy for a Christmas Brunch

A Christmas brunch needs more than food: guests also need somewhere to sit, enough plates for both savoury dishes and dessert, and a drinks station that keeps moving. Use this shopping list to check the practical items before you go to the store. Plan portions around your guest count, then add extra serving dishes, coffee cups and glasses so the buffet does not stall when items are in use. Dietary requirements should be confirmed before you buy ingredients.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Dessert platesqty 36
Bowlsqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 36
Cutlery setsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 30
Christmas garlandsqty 4
Table runnersqty 6
LED string lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 12

Lighting

Extension cordsqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 10
Waste binsqty 3

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 3
Water carafesqty 6
Bread basketsqty 4
Menu standsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6
Ice packsqty 12
Table numbersqty 6
Labelsqty 30
Pensqty 6
Groceries
- White baguettes - 6 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini Christmas stollen - 4 pieces
- Croissants - 36 pieces
- Mini raisin rolls - 30 pieces
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Nutella - 2 jars
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 48 pieces
- Bacon - 2 kilos
- Mushrooms - 1.5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Spinach - 1 kilo
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 4 kilos
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Granola - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Pears - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Mandarins - 3 kilo
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Apple pie - 2 pieces
- Chocolate mousse - 30 portions
- Christmas cookies - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 5 liters
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Beer - 36 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan about 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add 1 drink per person for each following hour. Include water as well as coffee, tea and any chilled drinks.
For a buffet with hot and cold dishes, allow 2 dinner plates and 1 dessert plate per guest, plus at least 1 bowl per person if you are serving fruit, yoghurt or another bowl-based dish.
Count coffee cups, water glasses and wine glasses separately: one of each per guest is a starting point, but add 10 to 15% extra when there is no dishwasher available during brunch.
Buy or borrow serving platters, tongs and spoons before shopping for food. A buffet with 6 to 8 dishes needs several serving utensils, and guests should not have to use cutlery from the table.
Check lighting and decoration supplies at least one day before the brunch. Test LED string lights and extension cords, and prepare the Christmas tree, garlands, table runners and LED candles before setting the tables.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Plan about 400 to 600 grams of food per adult across bread, toppings, hot dishes, cold dishes and dessert. For children, 250 to 350 grams is usually enough; add 10% extra when the guest count is uncertain.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Have 2 dinner plates and 1 dessert plate per guest, plus 1 bowl per guest if needed. For glasses, plan 1 water glass and 1 wine glass per person, with 10 to 15% extra for breakage or guests using more than one glass.
When should I buy the Christmas brunch groceries?: Buy drinks, packaged goods and decorations 3 to 5 days beforehand. Buy bread, fruit, vegetables and other fresh ingredients 1 to 2 days before, and check dietary requirements before the final shop.
What do I need for a Christmas brunch drinks table?: Set aside a drinks table, coolers, water glasses, wine glasses, coffee cups, a coffee machine and kettles. Prepare at least 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour and keep hot coffee and tea supplies separate from chilled drinks.

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