If you’ve been following my blog for some time then you know I always look for an excuse to host a brunch or dinner party at home. The joy I get from having my closest friends and family gather together over good food and drinks is unmatched. So, it’s no surprise that I chose to host a Mother’s Day brunch to celebrate the special mothers in my life.
I invited my mom, grandmothers, and aunts over for an afternoon filled with tea and all the tea sandwiches and scones you could imagine. It was perfect because we didn’t have to deal with crowded restaurants or make reservations around a busy restaurant holiday, and I could add special touches that made it feel unique for my guests. After all, that’s what’s so great about hosting a Mother’s Day brunch at home, you get to make it so unique to your style and preferences.
If you’re thinking of hosting your own Mother’s Day brunch at home this year, here are a few of my tips, tricks, and ideas to help you pull off the most beautiful brunch without spending a fortune.
Pick a theme
Personally, this is my favorite part. I love a good theme. Whether it is something more timeless like a tea party theme (which I did here), or maybe you want to go for something a little more elevated, like a Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme, incorporating the ever-so-famous Tiffany blue, this is where the planning should start.
Here are a few other unique brunch themes to help inspire:
- Southern-themed brunch – think chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits
- Red Carpet-themed brunch – Hollywood glitz and glamour meets delicious party bites like breakfast bruschetta, bite-sized pancakes + bubbly (of course!)
- Tour de Brunch theme – Take your guests around the world with bites and sips that represent some of your most coveted travel destinations – dare I say boozy Irish coffee?!
- Rosé All Day theme – Who doesn’t love a good Rosé as we enter into the summer months? It screams South of France and I’m here for it. Add some pops of turquoise and bright bold florals and you’ll have your guests feeling like they’re in the French Riviera.
Plan out your menu
Once you’ve nailed down a theme, it’s time to do your research on the foods that will make the most sense. This is where you can get creative! What’s great about brunch foods is you can mix breakfast items with lunch items (I mean, do I have to explain that one lol)
Here are some tips on planning the menu for your Mother’s Day brunch:
- Opt for as many finger foods as possible. There’s nothing wrong with foods that need a fork or spoon, but finger foods tend to feel more casual for brunch so make sure you have at least a couple on your menu.
- Try to make sure you have at least two items that are vegetarian-friendly. It’s always nice to have these options for those individuals who don’t eat meat or maybe want to opt for something lighter that day.
- Verify with your guests about any potential food allergies (gluten-free, dairy-free, etc..)
- Have at least one non-alcoholic beverage option on hand for anyone who cannot or does not want to drink.
- Take advantage of bulk-shopping stores like Sam’s Club and Costco for any items that you need in larger quantities. Some of the things I like to get from there are croissants, macaroons, fruits, beverages, and paper products.
- Take it up a notch by snagging a small bag of Lindor Truffles to give as a little favor for your guests either at their table setting or a little something before leaving. It’s honestly those little touches that make the event feel that much more special.
Create an ambiance
Not to get this confused with the theme. The ambiance is how you want to make your guest feel. While this does tie into the theme in some capacity, the ambiance has to do more so with the lighting, the aromas, and the sounds. Think about it…have you ever been to a party that had no music playing in the background? It’s just odd. The ambiance can really make your brunch feel more like an event rather than just a few people eating around a table.
Here are some suggestions on planning your ambiance:
- Lighting – While brunch almost always happens during the day, lighting is still key. What if it’s gloomy and gray that day? Natural lighting may not be enough. Open your window shades and coverings, turn on a few table lamps, or switch on your dimmers overhead if you have this option. Brighten the space as much as possible for your daytime events.
- Candles – I love candles, I mean, like really love them. If you told me I could never burn another candle in my life, I’d be heartbroken (dramatic, I know.) I love a beautiful set of tapered candlesticks or a few pillar candles in hurricane vases. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a few sprinkled about your space. Daytime events don’t typically need a lot of candles, but rather just a few to add to the vibe. I love to peruse the aisles of my Goodwill for unique vases that can double as a candle jar or flower vase. You can even opt for a few battery-operated pillar candles that are just as beautiful. I love these ones here.
- Music – This one goes without saying, make a playlist. This 100% can tie right into your theme. There are so many pre-made playlists on Spotify or Apple Music if you don’t want to think about it, or you can go to good old-fashioned Google for some inspo.
- Aromas – You know how they say, smells evoke emotion and memories? Why not create a memorable day with a smell that fills your entire home? Simmer pots are a great idea and there are some great ideas on Pinterest for the spring and summer months (think lavender and lemon.) You could also opt for some simple vanilla-scented pillars in a decorative candle jar. Just make sure your space smells good, that’s all that matters!
Plan ahead
You might be thinking, “Isn’t that what all the stuff above kind of means?” Well, yes and no. All of that is part of the planning but what I mean in this case is planning for cleaning, getting yourself ready, organizing childcare (if you’re a new mom like me) prepping any foods or batch beverages ahead of time.
If there are foods that need to marinate for a day, make sure you’re doing those in advance. If you are using fresh flowers, make sure you have a plan for grabbing those the night before or the morning of. These little “logistical” details, as I like to call them, tend to get missed or downplayed and then the day of your event, you are scrambling, stressed out, and not able to enjoy the day yourself.
Here’s a few hacks I use when hosting a party at home:
- Use your dishwasher as a pots and pans catch-all. Even if you don’t typically wash larger pans in there, for the time being, stuff them away and out of sight. You can do all the dishes later.
- Do your deep cleaning a few days before. Need to steam mop your floors? Dust your tables? Take care of those tasks one to two days before your brunch. Trust me, it won’t get out of control in less than a day. That will allow you to make any last-minute cleaning sprints so much easier on the day-of.
- Get ready as early as possible. Obviously, don’t shower if you still have to do a bunch of stuff that’s going to make you hot and sweaty, but prioritize getting yourself ready (hair, makeup, and the majority of your outfit if it makes sense). I promise you will be so much less stressed when you do this first.
- Speaking of that, if you’re worried about your makeup running or feeling gross, grab this setting spray to ensure your makeup looks fresh all day. I also like to throw some rollers in my hair while I’m finishing up. I like to take them out at the very last moment so I’ve got a fresh look right before my guests arrive.
- Have the music playlist and speakers set up and playing about 10 minutes before your start time so your ambiance is set and ready. There are always a few super punctual guests. I’m looking at you, Grandma (I love her!)
- Set your table the night before. Need I say more with this one? It’s one less thing you have to do the day-of.
- Have a cocktail or drink station where guests can pour their drinks when they arrive. This allows you to continue to put the finishing touches on anything and greet others who arrive without having to play bartender.
Hosting your Mother’s Day brunch doesn’t have to break the bank. Get creative, plan ahead and I promise your event will be perfect. To shop some of my Mother’s Day brunch inspiration, visit my Amazon Storefront or shop this post, below. And, if you decide to host a Mother’s Day brunch this year, tag me in your pictures on social, I’d love to see what you create! I’m on Instagram @marie_ruskin and TikTok @marieruskin
Happy planning, babes!
♥ Add this light and tasty salad to your Mother’s Day Brunch menu. I promise your guests will want seconds!
♥ A little Mother’s Day tribute that is near and dear to my heart.
