What You Need for a Mother’s Day Brunch

A Mother’s Day brunch needs more than pastries, fruit and coffee. Plan food and drinks for the final guest count, then check that you have enough plates, glasses, serving utensils and hot trays before shopping. This list also covers the items people often remember too late: dietary alternatives, chilled drinks, coffee supplies, cards and table details. Buy shelf-stable groceries first and leave fresh produce and pastries until close to the brunch.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 40
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 10
Serving tongsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Coffee potqty 3
Teapotqty 3
Water jugsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Hot traysqty 6
Kitchen thermometerqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkinsqty 80
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Mother's Day cardsqty 20
Name badgesqty 40
Buntingqty 4
Tealight holdersqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpan
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- White and multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Mini chocolate buns - 40 pieces
- Wholegrain crackers - 4 packs
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Hazelnut spread - 2 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Young cheese - 2.5 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Turkey breast - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Bacon - 2,5 kilos
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Spinach - 2 kilo
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Red peppers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Arugula - 600 grams
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilos
- Avocados - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Spring onions - 4 bunches
- Fresh chives - 4 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Blueberries - 1.5 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Greek yogurt - 5 kilos
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Granola - 2 kilos
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Mini muffins - 50 pieces
- Apple pie - 3 pieces
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Loose herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey sticks - 50 pieces
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 5 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Fresh rosemary - 2 bunches
- Fresh thyme - 2 bunches
- Puff pastry - 6 packs
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Allergen table labels - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add extra water for the rest of the meal. Chill bottles and prepare water jugs before guests arrive.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass, one coffee cup, one fork, one knife and one spoon per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage or seconds.
Buy fresh fruit, salad ingredients, bread and pastries no earlier than one to two days before the brunch. Check the produce again on the morning of the event.
Set aside at least one complete alternative for each stated dietary requirement, and label it before serving. Do not wait until the final shopping trip to check registrations.
Check coffee, tea, milk, sugar and hot-water capacity for the full guest count. A single coffee pot or kettle may be too slow when everyone wants a drink at once.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Mother’s Day brunch?: Plan one main portion per guest, plus two to three smaller items such as fruit, salad, bread or pastries. Add about 10% extra food if guests are likely to take seconds or the final number is uncertain.
How many drinks should I buy for a Mother’s Day brunch?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, including water, coffee, tea and other beverages. Add extra water and non-alcoholic options when children, drivers or guests with dietary restrictions are attending.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Prepare one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one coffee cup per person. Keep at least 10% extra tableware available, so a brunch for 20 guests should have two spare settings.
When should I shop for a Mother’s Day brunch?: Buy non-perishable groceries and drinks several days ahead. Buy fresh produce one to two days before the brunch, and collect or prepare bread and pastries as close to serving time as practical.

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