A Classic New Year's Day Brunch With a Twist

Ring in a brand new year with a festive brunch on January 1. This year, serve up new twists on traditional New Year's Day recipes, decorations and games.

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November 25, 2014

By: Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

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Ring in the New Year

Start the New Year on a festive note with a brunch full of classic dishes, all with a modern twist. Here, we used washi tape to create a geometric New Year's Day greeting behind the dining table.

Printable Invitations

Set the mood for your New Year's Day festivities with our free printable party invitations.

Classic Yet Modern

A modern French bistro was the inspiration for this table's theme. The pink-and-black color palette nods to classic French style, while geometric patterns and gold accents give the table a trendy touch.

Wallpaper, Repurposed

A leftover sheet of Graham and Brown wallpaper makes a festive runner on a mostly-bare table, and looks less formal than a white tablecloth.

Simple Floral Centerpieces

No table setting is complete without flowers. Opt for readily-available flowers and keep the arrangements simple and unobtrusive. Here, white and dual-toned cream and pink roses are placed in low cube vases and small apothecary bottles.

Dine Vintage-Style

To create this look, search your favorite vintage stores for glassware and dessert plates with pink or gold detailing. Use a basic white dinner plate on the bottom of every place setting. Top it with a geometric napkin (these are made from fabric purchased from Quadrille, Inc.) and the vintage plates. Repurpose the printable invitations as menu cards to top off each place setting.

Pizza for Breakfast

This isn't your childhood breakfast pizza: This flatbread is topped with roasted tomatoes, fried eggs, ricotta cheese and arugula. Get the recipe!

A Simple Dessert Buffet

Create visual interest above the self-serve dessert buffet by sticking rows of metallic balloons and colorful buntings above the table. Tip: Keep the rows of balloons a few inches above the tallest item on the table.

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tarts

Use leftover champagne or sparkling wine from New Year's Eve festivities to create a glaze for these mascarpone-filled fruit tarts. Get the recipe!

Store-Bought Sweets

A New Year's Day brunch is all about simplicity; plan to make one sweet item, then pick up an assortment of breakfast pastries from your favorite bakery.

DIY Drink Station

Setting up food and drink stations allows guests to serve themselves, reducing your workload as a host. Portable foldout tables set against the wall and covered with fabric look elegant and are sturdy enough to hold the weight of glass containers food and beverages. For the beverage station, provide a bottle of your favorite sparkling wine along with pitchers of juice for mixing.

Sparkling Grapefruit Fizz

A twist on the classic mimosa, this drink pairs sparkling wine with grapefruit juice, anise syrup and the herbal liqueur Campari. Get the recipe!

Coffee Bar

Let guests be part of the process by placing an espresso and cappuccino machine on the beverage station. Guests get to learn something new and can make drinks suited to their individual tastes. The milk-frothing function in the machine makes delicious cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolate. Add popular garnishes such as marshmallows, flavored syrups and cinnamon sticks to the display.

New Year's Resolution Game

Encourage conversation and mingling by setting up an activity for your guests. This New Year's resolution game is inspired by the holiday "white elephant" gift exchange. To set up, create a backdrop using foam or cork boards and pin up instructions. Make note cards using silver cardstock and snowflake cutouts. The striped envelopes are an easy cut-and-fold DIY using leftover holiday wrapping paper.

How to Play the Resolution Game

Have guests write out a resolution on a note card and place in attractive envelopes. Then, have each guest choose a number. Here, we painted craft sticks with a number and placed them number-side down in a jar.

How to Play the Resolution Game

The game starts when the person who draws number 1 picks an envelope and reads the resolution aloud. The next person does the same. The person then has the option to keep the resolution they chose or steal the one from the players before them. The game goes on until everyone has a resolution and all the envelopes are gone.

A Classic New Year's Day Brunch With a Twist

Related To:

Shop This Look

Ring in the New Year

Printable Invitations

Classic Yet Modern

Wallpaper, Repurposed

Simple Floral Centerpieces

Dine Vintage-Style

Pizza for Breakfast

A Simple Dessert Buffet

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tarts

Store-Bought Sweets

DIY Drink Station

Sparkling Grapefruit Fizz

Coffee Bar

New Year's Resolution Game

How to Play the Resolution Game

How to Play the Resolution Game

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