Christmas Brunch Ideas

An easy Christmas brunch menu and plaid table setting set the scene for holiday entertaining. Host overnight guests and family for a Christmas morning meal, or invite friends for a winter brunch party.

winter brunch plaid tablescape and menu ideas

Host Christmas breakfast at home and serve scrumptious brunch recipes that are festive and seasonal, and easy to make.

Celebrating Christmas morning with family or overnight guests is one of my favorite traditions, especially when the kids were little! We put a fire in the fireplace, turn on Christmas music, and sip on Christmas cocktails while the kids open presents.

The first thing I do though, is get the coffee going and breakfast casserole in the oven. It bakes for nearly an hour so there’s plenty of time to ease into the day while sitting around the Christmas tree.

I typically make the same dishes over and over because they’re tried and true recipes. Plus, some of them are seasonal recipes we only make once a year!

plaid tablescape place setting overhead view

Winter Brunch

When it’s cold outside, it’s time to get warm and cozy inside. These ideas are perfect for a gathering of friends any weekend in December, and into the winter months.

winter brunch menu card

Easy Menu

This menu is made up of classic comfort food like breakfast meats, scrambled eggs or quiche, and bread pudding or sweet muffins.

You can serve it on the table family-style, or set up a breakfast bar and let guests help themselves.

cheese charcuterie platter on red tablecloth, overhead view.

Breakfast Charcuterie Board

A brunch cheese board is going to make this holiday brunch a real celebration. Cheese and accompaniments are always a welcome choice for any meal.

You can include fresh berries and seasonal fruit. The red and white color of stuffed strawberries are perfect for a Christmas platter.

Here are some more small bites you can serve on their own or add to the cheese board.

table overhead view of coffee and eggnog punch

Set out small bowls around the table, filled with these sweet & spicy pecans. They’re also a nice addition to the cheese board and add a festive touch. Guests can nosh on them as they like.

scrambled eggs sprinkled with chives, in white bowl.

Main Dish

My cream cheese scrambled eggs (recipe below) are easy to make. The scrambled eggs come out moist and delicious every time.

Serve an array of breakfast meats. You can cook the bacon in the oven while cooking the sausage on the stove. Use some of the rendered grease to cook the eggs in and provide extra flavor.

If your brunch is a little later, you may want to make a spiral ham and serve with biscuits.

Here are some more breakfast casserole and quiche ideas.

bread pudding in baking dish, with powdered sugar on top.

Breakfast Sides

  • Our favorite Christmas brunch side dish, or dessert, is eggnog bread pudding. I’ve been making this decadent dish for at least 15 years and everyone always looks forward to it!
  • Serve this creamy hashbrown casserole as a side dish to the eggs. It’s SO good!
  • Another side dish I only make once or twice per year is the best cheesy grits casserole. It’s rich and indulgent and a southern favorite.
muffins with streusel topping, on tile table.

Baked Goods

The awesome thing about baked goods is that you can totally make them ahead of time. I don’t often bake from scratch but this time of year I do it for these recipes.

black Keurig coffee machine with bottles of flavorings.

What to Drink

winter brunch place setting and flowers centerpiece

Plaid Table Setting 

Plaid patterns and buffalo checks are popular for the holidays, but also ideal for winter tablescapes. It instantly makes you feel warm and cozy.

The red and black combination is ideal for holiday tables, New Years day brunch, Valentine’s or Galentine’s day gatherings, and other seasonal get-togethers.

RELATED: If you’re mad for plaid check out these other stylish parties with plaid details: winter dinner party, set up a stylish pie bar, have a fall picnic.

winter brunch plaid tablescape, red and black with greenery

Set the scene with a plaid table topper. This one is actually a lightweight throw. Remember, items can always be used in ways that they weren’t intended.

Another re-purposed item is the napkins. They’re actually cotton bandannas from Hobby Lobby! They look amazing, they do the job, and they’re about half the price of regular napkins.

winter brunch plaid tablescape place card tied on to greenery

Use plaid gift tags as place cards. Find them at home stores or craft stores and instead of using the “to-from” side, used the front to write names on. They match the table and napkins beautifully.

Add a pop of greenery to your place settings with evergreen clippings. Then you can tie the place card onto them with bakers twine.

winter flowers centerpiece, red and white

Centerpiece

Add a winter floral centerpiece with evergreens and pinecones. The container was a little low for the table and not attractive. To give it more presence I put it in a white pie dish and placed it on a cake pedestal. It’s still low enough not to impede conversation.

conversation starters on plaid tablecloth

My go-to activity for any seated gathering are these 36 conversation starters. They’re a free download and once you have them you can use them in a multitude of ways.

Here I printed them onto 3 coordinating sheets of scrapbook paper. After cutting them into strips I place them in a bowl and guests can pick one out to ask the guests at the table. They’re a lot of fun especially if everyone doesn’t already know each other well.

Expert Tips

  • Since brunch is early in the day, do as much as you can ahead of time. Drinks can be made during the party.
  • Set the table the night before so it’s all ready and waiting.
  • Prepare the cheese board the night before and cover tightly with saran wrap. Refrigerate overnight and let cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Bake muffins or coffee cake up to a couple of days ahead and store in an air tight container.
  • In the morning, cook bacon and sausage first and use the drippings for the eggs. Cover the cooked meats with aluminum foil until ready to eat. It can be served at room temperature or you can keep it warm in the oven set at the lowest temperature.
  • Prepare the eggs for cooking and set aside until guests arrive. When you’re almost ready to eat, begin cooking the eggs and serve immediately when they’re done.
  • Brunch is a casual way to entertain and it’s best to start between 10am and noon.

Now that you’re all set up and ready to host a Christmas brunch party, these cream cheese scrambled eggs are terrific for guests or any weekend with family. It’s easy to cut the recipe in half for a family of 4-5.

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scrambled eggs brunch recipe with chives on top.

Christmas Brunch Cream Cheese Scrambled Eggs

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Easy scrambled eggs are creamy and delicious. Just mix the ingredients in a blender and cook just before ready to serve.

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 cup half & half
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup rendered bacon or sausage fat, OR butter
  • chopped fresh chives

Instructions

    1. Use a blender to combine eggs, half & half, cream cheese, salt & pepper. Blend until frothy.
    2. Heat fat or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
    3. Add egg mixture and turn heat down to medium-low; let cook until bottom begins to set.
    4. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to draw egg mixture across the bottom of pan every couple of minutes.
    5. Do not stir continuously in order to allow eggs to thicken and cook through.
    6. Transfer scrambled eggs to serving dish and top with chopped chives and serve.

Did you make this recipe?

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3 Comments

    1. Hi Julie, that’s something that needs to be done either with a Cricut machine, or by a print shop (FedEx, Office Depot, Staples). It’s relatively inexpensive.

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