Christmas brunch shopping list

A Christmas brunch needs more than food: you also need enough plates, cups, serving pieces and equipment for a buffet that stays practical. Plan quantities from the final guest count, then separate fresh groceries, chilled drinks and items you can buy earlier. Bread and pastries, fruit, eggs, salads and hot dishes all need different preparation times. Use this list to spot the easy-to-forget items before shopping and before setting the tables.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Small platesqty 36
Bowlsqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 36
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving boardsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Pansqty 4
Baking dishesqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 7
Napkinsqty 60
Christmas arrangementsqty 5
Christmas lightsqty 3
Name badgesqty 36

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- White bread - 4 loaves
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini croissants - 36 pieces
- Mini chocolate rolls - 24 pieces
- Butter - 1,5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 800 grams
- Goat cheese - 500 grams
- Smoked salmon - 1.2 kilos
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Turkey breast - 800 grams
- Hummus - 800 grams
- Jam - 4 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Eggs - 48 pieces
- Bacon - 2 kilo
- Mushrooms - 1.5 kilos
- Spinach - 1 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Potatoes - 3 kilo
- Puff pastry - 6 rolls
- Feta - 600 gram
- Parsley - 3 bunches
- Chives - 3 bunches
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Yogurt - 3 kilos
- Muesli - 1.5 kilos
- Granola - 1 kilo
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Mandarins - 3 kilo
- Berries - 1 kilo
- Christmas stollen - 3 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 4 packs
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Coffee - 1.5 kilos
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 5 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan 1 dinner plate, 1 small plate, 1 bowl, 1 coffee cup, 2 glasses and a full set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakage or last-minute guests.
Buy or reserve bread and pastries at least 2–3 days ahead, then collect them on the day of the brunch so they are fresh when the buffet opens.
Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, including water, and chill drinks overnight. Keep extra bottles in coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold everything.
Prepare serving platters, boards, tongs and serving spoons before cooking starts. A buffet with 5–6 dishes needs at least one serving utensil per dish, not just one shared spoon.
Set up coffee and tea with one coffee cup per guest, kettles or coffee machines, thermos flasks and spare teaspoons. Start hot drinks 15–20 minutes before guests arrive so the station is ready immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Christmas brunch?: Allow one dinner plate, one small plate, one bowl, one coffee cup, two glasses and one knife, fork and spoon per guest. Add 10% extra, so 22 place settings for 20 guests is a practical minimum.
How many drinks should I buy for a Christmas brunch?: Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, including water, coffee, tea and other drinks. For 20 guests, that means 40–60 servings before allowing extra for a longer brunch.
When should I buy bread and pastries for Christmas brunch?: Reserve them 2–3 days before the brunch, then collect them on the day itself. This avoids sold-out items while keeping bread and pastries fresh.
When should I chill drinks for a Christmas brunch?: Chill drinks overnight whenever possible, or place them in coolers at least 3–4 hours before guests arrive. Check refrigerator space the day before so bottles do not compete with prepared food.

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