Tips for a Fabulous Holiday Brunch

Tips for a Fabulous Holiday Brunch

A huge part of the holidays involves me spending time with family. Since hubby and I come from two very different cultures we have luckily had it pretty easy during the holidays. Where my Polish family celebrates on Christmas Eve his Iranian one celebrates with a Holiday Brunch. Our kids don’t get to wake up to gifts under the tree Christmas morning because they opened them already after Christmas Eve dinner (at least Santa’s and my family’s) and then they get to open other gifts from my husbands family on Christmas Day. I think it is a great mix and I am glad we don’t have to compromise and switch family’s yearly.

A great perk of this whole set-up is that I don’t have to do any prep work for Christmas but this year I am thinking of hosting a fabulous holiday brunch. For the perfect entertaining space that will leave guests in awe, follow my few simple tips below to elevate your brunch from the expected to the unexpected.

Tips for a Fabulous Holiday Brunch

Establish a colour scheme

The secret to fabulous décor is to keep the colour palatte simple and focus on two complementary colours. On trend for this holiday season is pairing opposite colours together. Once the basic palette is set, add in a third accent colour, such as silver or gold. This will help complete the look and bring it to life.

Try opting for slight variations on the uber traditional red and green. Some colour pairings that you can try this year include:

  • Mint and blush for a feminine and vintage look
  • Plum and teal for a sophisticated and elegant feel
  • Navy (or turquoise) and red, which gives your typical nautical decor a festive holiday flair
  • Green and fuchsia to create something preppy and fun
  • Red and grey for a chalet-chic look

Keep these colour schemes in mind when purchasing accent pillow covers, table linens, napkins and runners.

PRO TIP: If you’re hosting multiple parties, you can keep the festive colours looking new and radiant throughout the holiday season by using OxiClean™ Colour Shield Laundry Stain Remover. It helps to fight tough stains (think red wine and gravy) while safeguarding colours.

holiday Brunch

Set the mood… and table

The dinner table is the focal point of any holiday gathering! To make it more memorable, every tablescape needs the following:

  • Flow: Don’t overpack your table with too many decorations. Keep it simple so there’s plenty of elbow room between guests and enough space for dessert on the table!
  • Greenery and flowers: No décor is complete without succulents or fresh cut flowers, especially during the holidays. This year, try creating your own unique centrepieces by layering pine branches, Christmas ornaments and fresh flowers overtop a festive table runner.
  • Table linens: Take a more casual approach to your brunch table linens this year.  Mixing and matching colours and patterns keeps the meal light-hearted and bright. Notice a spill or stain once your guests have gone? Use OxiClean™ Max Force™ Foam Laundry Pre-Treater to help tackle even the greasiest spills and stains left behind.
  • Rethink your serving plates: For a casual and natural feeling buffet style brunch, set aside the traditional serving platters and opt for more rustic materials such as slate, wood or marble. You can also try mixing vintage dishes with new items for classic yet modern feel.

PRO TIP: To make cleaning up even easier, start with a clean dishwasher when your guests arrive and load it throughout the meal. Using OxiClean™ Extreme Power Crystals™ Dishwasher Detergent and Triple Action Dishwasher Booster is also a must during the holidays as it removes tough, stuck on stains and keeps your precious dishes looking sparkling.

Think beyond the tree

During the holiday season, people often focus on the tree and forget about the rest of their house. Try placing small wreaths or pretty bowls filled with ornaments in different rooms. Using strings of lights indoors is also a fun way to decorate. You can also bundle up small white lights and place them in glass jars to add a little sparkle to any room.

Giveaway

To help you get ready for your holiday entertaining we have put together a fun giveaway, including:

holiday brunch

  • OxiClean™ MaxForce™ Foam Laundry Pre-Treater – To help blast away even the greasiest of stains with its foaming action.
  • OxiClean™ Extreme Power Crystals 26 PAK (468 g) Pouch – To remove stuck on stains and help your dishes sparkle!
  • OxiClean™ Versitle Stain Remover – To to get rid of tough stains and ensure your home is ready for guests!
  • Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Clean & Fresh Toothpaste and Spinbrush Battery Toothbrush – To ensure your smile is bright and white for any holiday parties! (I always give these away as stocking stuffers – it’s a tradition!)

 

Church and Dwight Giveaway

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I am part of the Church and Dwight Blog ambassador program and I receive perks for our collaboration. All opinions are my own.
Aneta Alaei
Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

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148 Comments

  1. Tara Betterley
    December 13, 2016 / 11:27 am

    My favorite holiday treat is Nanimo Bars. I love treats the most..

  2. LILLIAN BROWN
    December 13, 2016 / 11:54 am

    My favorite holiday food is gumdrop cake

  3. Matt Domville
    December 13, 2016 / 12:28 pm

    My favourite holiday food is a tasty ginger sandwich cookie, with mint frosting. A holiday tradition!

  4. Cloe St-Amour
    December 13, 2016 / 12:31 pm

    Sugar cookies mmmm!!

  5. Bre N
    December 13, 2016 / 12:51 pm

    Shortbread Cookie Birds Nests.

  6. Cheryl MacPhail
    December 13, 2016 / 12:51 pm

    Shortbread cookies!! I could eat a whole plate full!! 🙂

  7. Amy J
    December 13, 2016 / 1:08 pm

    Probably my aunts baking!! (Or any Christmas baking for that matter!!!)

  8. Joanne Saunders
    December 13, 2016 / 1:17 pm

    mine is shortbread

  9. Elaine G
    December 13, 2016 / 1:29 pm

    Shortbread is my favorite

  10. Erinn Lishman
    December 13, 2016 / 1:47 pm

    My favourite holiday food has to be my moms stuffing- YUM!!!!

  11. Christine Holliday
    December 13, 2016 / 1:58 pm

    My favorite has to be the leftovers…… a little bit of everything!

  12. Jason C
    December 13, 2016 / 2:23 pm

    Favourite holiday food is turkey!

  13. Jonathan Caldwell
    December 13, 2016 / 2:26 pm

    My favourite holiday food has to be stuffing.

  14. melissa fowers
    December 13, 2016 / 2:32 pm

    My favourite holiday food is sugar cookies!

  15. JerryB
    December 13, 2016 / 2:34 pm

    Has to be the Turkey

  16. Alison Braidwood
    December 13, 2016 / 2:59 pm

    Real food: turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Of junk: those marshmallow peanut butter/butterscotch squares you see at church bazaars over the Christmas holidays. Confetti squares, I think they’re called.

  17. Sean Senthilnathan
    December 13, 2016 / 3:40 pm

    My favorite holiday treat is Apple Pie.

  18. Maria
    December 13, 2016 / 4:24 pm

    Caramel Apple cheesecake

  19. jennifer aitken
    December 13, 2016 / 4:24 pm

    food , yummmm

  20. ivy pluchinsky
    December 13, 2016 / 4:26 pm

    My favorite holiday food is my moms spinach dip.;

  21. Melinda Jana
    December 13, 2016 / 5:33 pm

    scalloped potatoes

  22. Cherin McKenzie
    December 13, 2016 / 5:33 pm

    Would have to be a turkey sandwich

  23. kathy downey
    December 13, 2016 / 5:36 pm

    My favorite holiday treat is Broken Glass cake that my Mom only makes on Christmas Eve

  24. Wendy hutton
    December 13, 2016 / 6:03 pm

    nanamio bars for sure

  25. Judy Cowan
    December 13, 2016 / 6:09 pm

    My favourite holiday food would have to be shortbread.

  26. Jessica G
    December 13, 2016 / 7:17 pm

    Shortbread cookie

  27. tanyab79
    December 13, 2016 / 7:31 pm

    Favourite holiday baked good is buttertarts and pete de soeurs.

  28. Victoria Ess
    December 13, 2016 / 7:53 pm

    I love tiramisu!

  29. loucheryl
    December 13, 2016 / 9:25 pm

    I just love turkey and stuffing. For a treat, I just love shortbread cookies for Christmas time.

  30. Chris Riddle
    December 13, 2016 / 9:40 pm

    Favourite holiday food is a Christmas slab my mom makes every year.

  31. Mike H
    December 13, 2016 / 10:05 pm

    My favourite holiday food is fruit cake!

  32. jan
    December 13, 2016 / 10:05 pm

    May I say that I love the Brussels Sprouts and stuffing!

  33. Florence Cochrane
    December 13, 2016 / 10:08 pm

    My favorite holiday food is all about the turkey, dressing, salt beef and cabbage and gravy.

  34. Kevin B
    December 13, 2016 / 11:22 pm

    Iced sugar cookie

  35. heidi c.
    December 13, 2016 / 11:29 pm

    Stuffing has to be my favourite holiday food!

  36. Julie bolduc
    December 13, 2016 / 11:59 pm

    I love my mom’s date squears

  37. Dawn gordon
    December 14, 2016 / 12:13 am

    My favourite holiday food is the stuffing and gravy !!!

    But I love the snacks like cheese balls

  38. Tainan Lu
    December 14, 2016 / 1:00 am

    My favourite holiday food is cheesecake

  39. Jonnie
    December 14, 2016 / 1:00 am

    Fudge is my favorite holiday food

  40. missbobloblaw
    December 14, 2016 / 4:32 am

    Stuffing or turkey or nanaimo bars or butter tarts…..

  41. Emily
    December 14, 2016 / 9:19 am

    Looks loverly

  42. RC
    December 14, 2016 / 9:24 am

    I do love chocolate truffles and Swedish Chocolate balls. Easy and YUM!

  43. Emily
    December 14, 2016 / 9:34 am

    I like peanut butter balls

  44. Stephen gordon
    December 14, 2016 / 10:40 am

    Fav my wife’s butter tarts

  45. Gillian Morgan
    December 14, 2016 / 11:28 am

    I love christmas shortbread.

  46. Erin Lewis
    December 14, 2016 / 11:35 am

    My Molasses cookies!

  47. Erin W
    December 14, 2016 / 11:41 am

    I love my Mom’s stuffing! I look forward to it every year!

  48. nicolthepickle
    December 14, 2016 / 11:54 am

    I love Rum Balls (They’re cream puffs filled with rum flavoured cream.)

  49. Gord
    December 14, 2016 / 12:27 pm

    My mothers lemon squares are my favourite. hoilday treat.

  50. Wendy Jensen
    December 14, 2016 / 1:05 pm

    My favorite holiday food is the turkey dressing!!!

  51. Dar
    December 14, 2016 / 1:40 pm

    Cabbage Rolls!

  52. Cheryl
    December 14, 2016 / 3:17 pm

    We love cinnamon buns

  53. eric
    December 14, 2016 / 4:47 pm

    I love chocolate macaroons

  54. Lynda Cook
    December 14, 2016 / 4:54 pm

    My favourite holiday food is Prime Rib roast, yummm or I also love fruit cake!!

  55. Melissa F
    December 14, 2016 / 8:53 pm

    Stuffing and thanks for the chance at this giveaway

  56. Lindsay T
    December 14, 2016 / 10:01 pm

    I love stuffing, mashed potato, turkey and gravy all in one bite!

  57. Robyn Bellefleur
    December 14, 2016 / 11:31 pm

    My favorite is turkey stuffing.

  58. Silvia D
    December 15, 2016 / 3:19 am

    hot turkey sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce! mmm

  59. Lynn M
    December 15, 2016 / 5:31 am

    Favorite holiday food – the day after – hot turkey sandwich and whatever else is leftover. All the goodness and much less work.

  60. Sandi Tymchuk
    December 15, 2016 / 9:32 am

    My favourite holiday treat is mint-flavoured sugar-free chocolate.

  61. Linda Svarovsky
    December 15, 2016 / 10:21 am

    Love dressing/stuffing

  62. angela m
    December 15, 2016 / 10:45 am

    My favourite is gingerbread cookies.

  63. Kim M
    December 15, 2016 / 11:28 am

    Herring and beet salad.

  64. Edith Rennes
    December 15, 2016 / 11:31 am

    Definitely turkey sandwiches are my favourites

  65. Won Kim
    December 15, 2016 / 12:47 pm

    My favourite holiday food is short bread cookies

  66. Marlene V.
    December 15, 2016 / 1:00 pm

    I love holiday cookies!!

  67. Sandy Couzens
    December 15, 2016 / 1:17 pm

    My Favorite Holiday Food is stuffing 🙂 I look forward to it as soon as the calendar turns to December. Thank you for another Great Giveaway !! I only discovered Oxi Clean about a year ago and Love it !! Happy Holidays 🙂

  68. Heather Swanson
    December 15, 2016 / 1:20 pm

    I like shortbread cookies & my lime/pineapple cream cheese jello dessert

  69. Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
    December 15, 2016 / 3:21 pm

    I love gingerbread cookies

  70. December 15, 2016 / 3:59 pm

    My favorite holiday food is pierogies and cabbage rolls on Christmas Eve!

  71. Donnas
    December 15, 2016 / 5:08 pm

    I love shortbread and gingerbread this time of year.

  72. Courtney A
    December 15, 2016 / 7:47 pm

    I loveeee stuffing!! So delicious 🙂

  73. Calvin F.
    December 15, 2016 / 8:32 pm

    Pizza, and spaghetti bolognese

  74. December 15, 2016 / 9:08 pm

    Shortbread, shortbread and shortbread are my favourite holiday food!

    Besos Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

  75. Mary Warner
    December 15, 2016 / 9:51 pm

    Granma’s Sugar Cookies with sprinkles.

  76. Wanda Jean P
    December 15, 2016 / 10:12 pm

    Shortbread and Cheesecake

  77. Jeannie Lam
    December 16, 2016 / 12:12 am

    Definitely shortbread cookies.

  78. Cairine
    December 16, 2016 / 12:21 am

    My favourite holiday food is the turkey and gravy.

  79. Marie
    December 16, 2016 / 1:35 am

    I love perogies!

  80. Angela Mitchell
    December 16, 2016 / 2:26 am

    So easy to make buy my favourite is Rice Krispies squares.

  81. Angela Mitchell
    December 16, 2016 / 2:28 am

    *but* not buy lol

  82. Crystal Porter
    December 16, 2016 / 11:38 pm

    Thin crust pizza

  83. Juliee Fitze
    December 17, 2016 / 11:03 am

    My favorite is a drink , love eggnog.

  84. Shelley N
    December 17, 2016 / 7:24 pm

    My favourite holiday food is Nanaimo Bars -so yummy all year round

  85. Marilyn Legault
    December 17, 2016 / 7:50 pm

    My mother’s shortbread

  86. Glogirl
    December 17, 2016 / 9:05 pm

    My favourite holiday food is shortbread.

  87. Jody D
    December 17, 2016 / 10:37 pm

    My favorite holiday food is my step-mums Skor Shortbread Cookies! We all hoard our share very carefully!

  88. Amy C
    December 17, 2016 / 11:00 pm

    Fudge and ginger snaps are my favourite holiday food.

  89. Tracey
    December 18, 2016 / 12:35 am

    I love candy cane ice cream!

  90. Sunshine G
    December 18, 2016 / 2:11 am

    Definitely Nanaimo bars – even though technically you can get them year ’round, they always seem like a Christmas food to me.

  91. Mary M
    December 18, 2016 / 8:37 am

    My daughter cooks the best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. It is so delicious. I have used Arm & Hammer, Church & Dwight products many years.

  92. ,MOHAMMAD ANJUM
    December 18, 2016 / 12:21 pm

    My favourite holiday food is a ginger sandwich cookie,

  93. Clare O'Brien
    December 18, 2016 / 12:53 pm

    Homemeade vegan gingerbread cookies

  94. Marilyn Legault
    December 18, 2016 / 1:54 pm

    I love all the desserts at holiday meals. Butter tarts and shortbread are a favourite.

  95. 409cope
    December 18, 2016 / 3:01 pm

    My favorite holiday food is gingerbread.

  96. Shelley N
    December 18, 2016 / 9:38 pm

    My favourite holiday food is Nanaimo Bars

  97. Brenda Lacourciere
    December 19, 2016 / 2:42 am

    my favorite holiday food is shortbread.

  98. Julie
    December 19, 2016 / 7:48 am

    I love baking and eating shortbread cookies at Christmastime!

  99. Julie F
    December 19, 2016 / 8:52 am

    Christmas pudding with custard is my favourite

  100. Nicole B
    December 19, 2016 / 10:03 am

    My favorite holiday food is the assortment of cookies!

  101. lori butler
    December 19, 2016 / 1:09 pm

    shortbread 🙂

  102. Maryanne
    December 19, 2016 / 3:14 pm

    Cookies!

  103. Rhonda W G.
    December 19, 2016 / 4:30 pm

    I absolutley love gingerbread!

  104. Nancy T
    December 19, 2016 / 5:43 pm

    I love gingerbread!

  105. crystal porter
    December 19, 2016 / 9:18 pm

    Stuffing,,,,pecan pie… cookies

  106. KittyPride
    December 19, 2016 / 9:55 pm

    Butter tarts are my favourites!

  107. Kate H
    December 19, 2016 / 11:06 pm

    Christmas pudding with home made custard!

  108. Mahad J
    December 20, 2016 / 4:02 am

    Roast beef with Garlic and Rosemary sauce

  109. Erica Seaman
    December 20, 2016 / 4:50 am

    Mocha Cakes 🙂

  110. December 20, 2016 / 4:41 pm

    i only can pick one?!? 🙂 stuffing.

  111. Aarone Mawdsley
    December 20, 2016 / 6:53 pm

    turkey

  112. Jennifer P.
    December 21, 2016 / 4:29 pm

    My favourite holiday food is mashed potatoes.

  113. Morgan Stewart
    December 21, 2016 / 5:55 pm

    My favourite holiday food is sugar cookies

  114. KellyPC
    December 22, 2016 / 4:57 am

    Not a food but spiced rum & eggnog or spiced rum & hot apple cider. I think eggnog is disgusting for 11 moths of the year & then in December something strange in my head happens & I crave it. also 95% of the rum I consume in a year happens in December, I’m a beer or vodka gal.

  115. Mike Gismondi
    December 22, 2016 / 11:26 am

    My favourite holiday food is Christmas cake!

  116. Karine
    December 22, 2016 / 9:02 pm

    I really like cranberries! Loll

  117. Carol
    December 23, 2016 / 8:39 pm

    Shortbread for me.

  118. Sharon D
    December 24, 2016 / 9:01 am

    Sugar cookies

  119. maria
    December 26, 2016 / 5:52 pm

    I love shortbread cookies

  120. Katrina
    December 27, 2016 / 7:09 am

    peach caramel pie

  121. Luzviminda Gunter-Smith
    December 27, 2016 / 9:01 am

    I like apple pie, shortbread cookies

  122. Tava
    December 27, 2016 / 10:22 am

    Mandarin oranges, shortbread cookies, ferrero rocher, candy cane flavoured anything (some people are pumpkin spice month I’m candy cane month!)

  123. Piroska
    December 27, 2016 / 6:40 pm

    My favourite holiday food: Christmas Cookie. I turn into the cookie monster during the holidays!

  124. Janice Wong
    December 27, 2016 / 8:10 pm

    Roast beef is my fave!

  125. Rosanne Robinson
    December 28, 2016 / 3:07 pm

    My favourite holiday food is gingerbread & shortbread cookies,

  126. Nicole Jubleew
    December 28, 2016 / 5:25 pm

    My favourite holiday food is whipped shortbread. So yummy.

  127. M
    December 28, 2016 / 11:52 pm

    I love mulled cider and short bread cookies

  128. OpheliaC
    December 29, 2016 / 12:43 am

    Sugar cookies are my favouriteeee!!!

  129. Amina
    December 29, 2016 / 2:30 pm

    My favourite holiday food is sugar cookies!

  130. Stephanie
    December 29, 2016 / 3:49 pm

    I love my mom’s flan pudding!! so good!

  131. Dianne G.
    December 29, 2016 / 7:16 pm

    Butter Tarts are my favourite. Sadly I had none this holiday season. Usually everyone makes them but this year no one did.

  132. Andrea
    December 29, 2016 / 8:02 pm

    Turkey and stuffing.

  133. Tammy Dalley
    December 29, 2016 / 10:08 pm

    I love shortbreads!

  134. Denae Boucher
    December 30, 2016 / 12:53 am

    Fluffy shortbread!

  135. Phil
    December 30, 2016 / 10:17 am

    We love Apple Pie

  136. December 30, 2016 / 10:50 am

    I love gingerbread cookies with cream cheese frost

  137. Kelley Moore
    December 30, 2016 / 9:03 pm

    My favorite holiday food is turkey

  138. Jo B
    December 31, 2016 / 10:54 am

    Cookies, cookies and more cookies especially sugar cookies.

  139. Lee mckeon
    December 31, 2016 / 7:23 pm

    My favorite Is my sisters apple crisp!

  140. Soozle
    January 1, 2017 / 7:56 am

    I love cabbage rolls on the holidays

  141. Jolie
    January 1, 2017 / 9:19 pm

    My favourites are the turkey and shortbread cookies 🙂

  142. Amy Heffernan
    January 2, 2017 / 7:54 am

    Peas pudding. YUM!

  143. Christine Murray
    January 2, 2017 / 10:28 am

    <My favourite holiday food is stuffing. It is the only time of year I have it and I LOVE to have the leftovers for breakfast the next morning.

  144. Jessica M Walker
    January 2, 2017 / 3:14 pm

    My favourite holiday food is turkey

  145. Laurie W.
    January 2, 2017 / 4:00 pm

    My favourite holiday food is all butter shortbread.

  146. Ariel C
    January 3, 2017 / 1:22 am

    I love chocolate dipped shortbread!

  147. Caryn Coates
    January 3, 2017 / 7:42 pm

    I love Turkey

  148. Karla Sceviour
    January 3, 2017 / 8:59 pm

    I love all holiday food!! Especially any type of squares! Oh,and turkey,stuffing and all the shebang,I love it all!