In my family, we have a celebration on Christmas Eve. Lots of us get together and share a big dinner that everyone helps to prepare. Once dinner is cleaned up, we begin preparing brunch for Christmas day… usually an overnight egg casserole and sometimes even cinnamon rolls. We wake up Christmas morning and sneak downstairs to see what Santa has put in our stockings. Chocolate and other treats are most definitely hidden in there somewhere, so that’s what we nibble on while our brunch items are baking. We begin opening a few gifts from each other, and then we plan to take a break and eat before we open the rest. For those of you who also enjoy planning a holiday brunch, here are a few new ideas:
We break out mimosas 1st thing in the morning. Those & the chocolatey treats from the stockings make a good pre-brunch Happy Hour 
I had this egg casserole at a cookie exchange brunch that I went to this season. It was wonderful, and we’ll be trying it out this year in place of our usual egg casserole (also yummy).
Also at the cookie exchange was an overnight French Toast recipe from Paula Deen. Yep, it’s decadent but delicious.
Last year I made this wonderful raspberry-filled Candy Cane Coffee Cake. I thought it was rather cute, and it was very good too… worth the effort of putting it together.
And, of course, you’ll need something non-alcoholic for the kids (or those who don’t drink). This brunch punch was also served at the cookie exchange party that I attended. I kept going back for more so I consider it worthy of sharing.
A few years ago we had an amazing Christmas that we celebrated in the mountains of Colorado with a ton of extended family. We decided not to exchange gifts that year, and instead we each decided to donate to a charity of our choice… something that had significant meaning to us. During our Christmas brunch, we went around the table and each shared our charity and talked about how it was meaningful to us. It was a joyful, feel-good brunch filled with stories and tears and laughter. It was also a terrific lesson to teach to our children, who donated to their own causes and learned about others.
Many happy holidays to you and your families…
Recipes above can be found by clicking on the red recipe names.
*More recipe ideas for Christmas morning can be found HERE.
27 Comments
Really love that gift/charity idea… I’m going to have to remember that!
And I’m absolutely bookmarking this post as I am always looking for more brunch recipes (now and throughout the year). I remember the candy cane pastry from last year – so beautiful!!
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These are all wonderful, and beautiful! Love the candy cane… what a wonderful idea…
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Tasty and fun brunch. There are some people in my family who would definitely ‘be down’ with chocolate before breakfast…and others who would enjoy the a pre-brunch happy hour.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
Joan
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Oh my goodness, that candy cane cake is gorgeous! I definitely want to try that!!
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The candy cane coffee cake is ADORABLE!
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Great ideas! I am posting mine tomorrow:) Happy Holidays to you and your family. I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating.
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Although the menu is different we always start our Christmas Day with a cranberry mimosa. Have a wonderful holiday with friends, family and extended family. Peace and JOY!!!!!
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I’m definitely gonna try the egg keilbasa casserole. Great idea. Merry Christmas to all!
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I’m so impressed by the candy cane! Enjoy this time with your family and friends!
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I heart brunch! All of these dishes would get me flying out of bed
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These are DAMN good Christmas morning recipes!! Love these thanks for sharing!
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LOVE how you spent Christmas!! Fabulous way to do so.
And those recipes = mouth-watering!!
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Ohhh, that egg casserole looks divine. I might have to make that this week. Thanks for sharing.
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Happy Holidays! Christmas brunch is one of my favorite meals and all your recipes look SO good!
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Might need to try the Mimosas for my son-in-law for a change—his favorite is Blood Orange. Thank you for sharing your Family Christmas and your recipes—these for Christmas and those throughout the year!!! Will continue to enjoy your website in 2010–Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!!
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Everything looks and sounds delicious! Must try the brunch punch…
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All of the food looks great. I am a newer reader, but everything I have tried has been great. I even shared your url with many people during my call center job yesterday! Happy Holidays
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Love the idea of egg casserole (prepared night before)! Printed the ‘new’ one out and am going to try it. Great post. Happy Holidays, Lori!
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Mimosas? Always! The baked French toast is a new fave too. Everyone always loves it.
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MMMMMMM,…all of your food looks delcious & apart!!
Yum! I especially like the Mimosas & the candy cane coffee cake!!
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What a nice way to start the day! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
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i can’t get over that candy cane coffee cake! truly spectacular!
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The mimosas are fantastic!! And the candy cane…well I want one only for me
Merry Christmas and an Extraordinary New Year 2010 for You!!
Cheers,
Gera
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Merry Christmas, Lori!
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merry Christmas and wish you a very happy new year!!
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Hope you had a Merry Christmas, Lori! Everything looks fabulous… I would love one of those cranberry mimosas right now!
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Love the casseroll….Always looking for more ideas and it looks delish!
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