Christmas is almost here! This is an updated post of a tradition we have every year, a Christmas Family Brunch! We like to put out a spread where everyone stays in robes and p.j.s and serves themselves leisurely in the morning. And then we open gifts.
Following is the typical menu along with a recipe for Lemon Cake that I have been making for years.
We live in Florida now and it’s so nice to have space for family to stay with us here. Before this we lived in a 100-year-old high rise apartment in San Francisco with views of the Bay. You can read more about that here.
After brunch, we usually take a nice long walk on the beach here in Atlantic Beach. But, I’ll show you some of the festive Victorian homes we used to see in San Francisco.
Christmas Family Brunch Menu
This year, it’s the girls turn to create Christmas breakfast. More hands to prep make easy work. My sister, Teresa, who lives in San Diego already sent Champagne for mimosas. I will pick up the other ingredients.
Christmas Brunch Menu With Bagels, Lox, Accoutrements, Bacon And Fruit Salad
We use a mandolin to slice the onions and watermelon radishes. The tomatoes are thinly sliced also.
Everything is arranged on small dishes and platters. The simple addition of cracked pepper on thick sliced bacon baked it the oven on a rimmed sheet pan, elevates it!
This year, we are also going to include Thomas’ Everything Bagel Thins (less carbs). Have you tried them? They have plain bagel thins, too.
Another new item in addition to cream cheese that we are going to add this year is Trader Joe’s Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread.
It’s nice to have a spiral ham that can be used for sandwiches throughout the holidays, too!
Zesty Lemon Cake Dessert
This Lemon Cake By Ina Garten is good as you can bake it the day before and it tastes even better the next day. Plus, it makes two loaves so you can freeze one or give one away. Watch her video as it’s quick but helpful.
It has a powdered sugar glaze. Cut a few slices and sprinkle berries around the cake. An easy treat!
As an alternative to butter, my daughter always requests Citrus Olive Oil Cake. It’s flavor comes from oranges and lemons.
You may also want to add a Fancy Bloody Mary bar like we did with this post.
I hope this has given you brunch ideas for your guests.
My Favorite Victorian Houses in San Francisco
These always remind me of gingerbread houses!
Here is my favorite…
And that’s our Christmas Family Brunch.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.!
You have inspired me to do a New Year’s Brunch
The brunch looks great. Thank you for sharing the pictures of those beautiful Victorian homes!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and a happy healthy New Year.
I see it has been THREE years since I commented on your original post of brunch and Victorian houses. How the time has flown! It seems like you are literally about as far away from SF as possible, both in climate and architecture. The brunch will be just as enjoyable wherever you are celebrating. Thanks for the years of inspiration and ideas. All best in 2024!
Beautiful ideas. Thank you very much. And the houses in San Francisco–wowza! I love them. Merry Christmas and thanks for the blog.
Everything looks delicious Mary Ann! I love a tradition where you can stay in your Jamies all day(except for the walk).
Enjoy your family this holiday! Merry Christmas!
Your brunch looks divin, perfect combinations, and beautifully styled. Ina”s Lemon loaf has always been a favorite of mine.
Thank you for the christmas Victorian tour of homes which look fantastic. I agree go for a walk at night and view the light from inside.
I have done that in cities which I visit, esp. Amsterdam, to get a better feeling of warmth from the homes. Since I live in the country and have no neighbors nearby, it is a different slice of life.
That is quite a spread! The lemon cakes sounds great and love the addition of the berries. Those homes are gorgeous. And the urns in the 3rd photo…LOVE! Thanks for sharing Mary Ann! :o)
Love the spread, beautiful, great job! The homes are decorated perfectly. Merry Christmas and thanks for your blog!
This looks delicious and the perfect way to start the holiday. I love seeing all of the beautiful houses and the decorations! Thank you for taking us on your walk. I am off to check out the other ladies.
On a side note, have you tried Ina’s recipe for Double Chocolate Loaf? Delicious.
Thanks, Elizabeth!!! Wow! I have to try that Double Chocolate Loaf recipe!!!
Your silverware caught my eye. I think it’s what I have: Towle Grand Master? That’s from back in the day when we registered for silver and china!
Seeing your SF pictures makes me nostalgic. Being a CA girl, I have so many fond memories of being in “The City”. Can you believe I used to wear gloves as a little girl going shopping on Union Square?
Merry Christmas to your family and thank you for sharing some festive, holiday-decorated Victorians.
Mine is Reed and Barton…we are using it every day now since I decided why wait? I bet you were adorable in your little gloves.
Merry Christmas, Wren!
Curious….do you put any of the silver in the dishwasher? I know not to put hollow-handled knives in. I would use mine everyday but for washing.
I have started using my Royal Copenhagen’s dishes, inherited, everyday. Thank you, Mary Ann, if you have time to answer.
I PUT MY SILVERWARE THAT WAS FROM SHREVE’S IN THE DISHWASHER DAILY……..have for years !
ALL GOOD.
I would test just a couple of pieces a few time first!!
I’ve put my hollow handled 17/7 silverware in the dishwaher for decades and have never had issues. If it’s sterling silver, I hand wash it naturally
Mary Ann,
Oh my goodness, my mouth is watering with all of the delicious looking options for brunch.
The Victorian homes are so pretty all dressed up for Christmas.
I hope you and yours are healthy and have a cozy Christmas.
xo,
Karen
Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours, Karen!!!
Mary Ann,
What a beautiful brunch, it made my mouth water. I want to taste it all! And those Victorian houses are gorgeous. What a treat to have them to see on a walk to brighten your day. Thank you for all the inspiration you’ve given me throughout the year.
Merry Christmas
Thanks, Gail. I’m so grateful for you!
Your brunch looks so delicious, and I’m loving the beautiful homes you shared. Wow! Have a great Christmas 🙂
Thanks so much, Shauna!
Hi Mary Ann, Ken says what great presentation.
I will make the cakes for neighbors. Love the photos of the different houses. Beautiful!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Merry Christmas, Kathy and Ken!!!
OH MY GOSH YOU READ MY MIND!I WAS THINKING YOU NEED TO SHOW THE VICTORIANS AND HERE YOU ARE DOING THAT!
HEAD TO OUTER BROADWAY TOO MAYBE IN THE CAR!!!
THE MARINA was ALWAYS VERY FESTIVE AS A CHILD MY PARENTS WOULD DRIVE ME OVER AT NIGHT TO LOOK AT THE WINDOWS AND DECOR!MARVELOUS MEMORIES!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
XX
That is exactly what Howard and I were thinking we wanted to do at night!
This brunch looks positively delicious and simple! Love all the toppers for the bagels. I think I will copy you! I have never tried Ina’s lemon cake but it looks delicious. San Francisco is such a festive city at christmas. This time last year we spent the weekend there for my 65th. My how times have changed.
I remember, Cindy! Such a fun time you had!
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to you and yours Mary Ann!
I love seeing these houses, and am definitely making that lemon cake this year. Can you tell me some of the street names where those houses are? We live in the East Bay and I realize we never take the kids to walk around the city and I need to start getting them a feel for the variety and beauty of the city – that would be such a fun low key activity. I know it’s Pacific Heights, but some cross streets to sort of mosey around between would be great, and then down to Marina Green, Fort Point, Palace of Fine Arts would be a great visual tour, etc
Try Pacific and Alamo Square (Steiner and Fulton Streets). Clay and Webster near Lafayette Park. Yes, my son just said the Palace of Fine Arts is beautiful at night.
HEAD UP BROADWAY TO LYON STREET.
THEN GO EITHER WAY UP OR DOWN TO THE PARALLEL STREETS………………
YEARS AGO There was a HOME on BROADWAY that put TONS OF STUFFED TEDDY BEARS IN ALL THE WINDOWS!!
IF you are headed WEST LYON STREET it was on the RIGHT!
THE MARINA across from THE MARINA GREEN was always a good spot too………as a lot of the EMBASSY’s use to be there.
ENJOY!
Great tips! I like to just wander around. Going to do that in a few minutes and head over to Filmore Street.