After a particularly challenging year, many Texans are feeling moe comfortable safely gathering with close friends and loved ones. There is no better way to welcome these loved ones back into your home than celebrating with a cheery, crumptious brunch. Use these tips as inspiration as you start planning your next gathering.
Prepare Ahead of Time
The key is advanced preparations. Take inventory of your entertaining supplies. Hosting brunch is the perfect opportunity to go all out with the good china, flatware, stemware, napkins, and tablecloths. Rentals are a great way to go for these items if the gathering is larger. Consider renting tables and chairs, as well. Fresh flowers add color and cheer and need not be expensive. Supermarkets have a variety of pretty choices that would work nicely. Old photos scattered about, displayed in albums, or small picture frames can serve as charming place cards. Printed menus are also a nice touch and add a note of formality. These can be created easily on your home computer and printer.
Get the Party Going
Select one or two activities to get the party going. Games such as bingo, trivia, or word scribbles are a few examples. Be sure to have small prizes on hand for the winners. Some inexpensive items for this could be scented hand or body lotions, gift cards, a toiletry travel bag, or scented candles. Ideas for take-away gifts, also known as party favors, could include individually wrapped or boxed cookies, seed packets, or nice bottles of wine.
Keep the Food and Drinks Simple
Food and drinks are the essential parts of any brunch, of course. Keep things simple and prepare the food ahead of time. Assemble a favorite casserole or quiche the night before and refrigerate. Then it is just a matter of popping it in the oven the next morning. Remember that not everything must be homemade. Take advantage of bakery items like pastries, bread, cakes, and cookies. Also, fruit salad is easy to prepare the night before.
As with the food, keep drinks uncomplicated. Basic options would be bottled water, coffee, orange juice, and milk. If desired, go one step further and add a couple of flavored punches or drinks – one plain and one alcoholic for the adults. For example, our family loves mimosas and champagne punch.
Set up the Night Before
Set up the table the night before. That means everything except the food – table linens, place settings, menus, place cards, flowers, etc. Setting out serving dishes with notes to designate what the contents will be the night before is a clever idea. Delegating each serving dish allows helpers to know what goes where the day of the party. The last and most important pointer is to delegate duties. Do not try to do everything yourself. Guests love to help, and it makes them feel included! Assign family members specific jobs like gathering the photos, finding the gifts for prizes, leading the games, and so on.
By implementing these ideas, you can host a lovely brunch while still being able to join in the festivities yourself.
