What to buy for a Mother’s Day brunch

A Mother’s Day brunch needs more than pastries and coffee. Plan food and drinks for the confirmed guest count, then check that you have enough plates, glasses, serving dishes and hot trays before shopping. Bakery items, fresh produce and chilled dishes often need separate collection or storage, so leave time for those jobs. This checklist helps you cover the meal, buffet setup and the small items that are easy to miss.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 5
Buffet tableqty 2
Chairsqty 32
Tableclothqty 7

Tableware

Platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 32
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 32
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40
Coffee spoonsqty 32
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cake serversqty 2

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Bread basketsqty 3
Butter dishesqty 3
Carafesqty 6
Milk jugsqty 3
Sugar bowlsqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Hot traysqty 4

Decorations

Flower bouquetsqty 5
Vasesqty 5
Festive napkinsqty 40
Menusqty 6
Name badgesqty 32
Table décorqty 5

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED candlesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Dishpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 6
Broom and dustpan
Mop and bucket

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Honey - 1 jar
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 2 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Croissants - 36 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 36 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 1 pack
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 600 gram
- Smoked salmon - 1.2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 48 pieces
- Spinach - 1 kilo
- Mushrooms - 1 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Avocados - 8 pieces
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilos
- Potatoes - 3 kilo
- Chives - 3 bunches
- Dill - 3 bunches
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Fresh cream - 2 liters
- Yogurt - 3 kilos
- Granola - 1,5 kilos
- Honeydew melons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 2 bunches
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Raspberries - 1 kilo
- Mini muffins - 36 pieces
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Chocolate eggs - 2 bags
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 1 roll

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then add roughly 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Include water alongside coffee, tea and any other drinks you are serving.
Buy or order bakery items early, especially if you need a specific quantity. Collect them on the day or store them in a dry, covered place so they do not lose freshness.
Allow 1 dinner plate, 1 dessert plate, 1 fork, 1 knife and 1 spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra for dropped or reused tableware. Count coffee cups, water glasses and wine glasses separately.
Prepare chilled salads, fruit and desserts with enough fridge or cooler space for the final 12–24 hours. Clear a shelf before shopping so prepared dishes do not compete with everyday food.
Count serving equipment before buying ingredients: plan at least 1 serving spoon per shared dish, 1 cake server for desserts, and enough platters, baskets, carafes and covered trays for the buffet.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Mother’s Day brunch?: For a 2–3 hour brunch, plan 4–6 savoury portions and 2–3 sweet portions per guest across the full menu. Add around 10% extra if guests are serving themselves or if children are included.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a brunch?: Buy or set out one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass, one coffee cup and one set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra. Add wine glasses only for the number of guests who will use them, with a few spares.
When should I buy the food for a Mother’s Day brunch?: Buy shelf-stable goods and drinks 3–5 days ahead. Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables 1–2 days before, and collect bakery items on the day unless they can be stored without losing quality.
How early should I prepare a Mother’s Day brunch shopping list?: Make the first list at least 7 days before the brunch, after collecting dietary requirements. Confirm the final guest count 2–3 days before shopping so quantities and bakery orders can be adjusted.

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