How to Throw the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Brunch

     Looking for the perfect way to celebrate with loved ones this year for Valentine’s Day? This is a day to host your best friends and appreciate each others’ friendship, love, laughter and presence. The best successful party will always have pretty decorations and flowers, a fantastic menu of food and drink, and the right atmosphere for both host/hostess and guests to enjoy the party. Today we will break down the perfect formula for hosting the perfect brunch. What better way to celebrate than with a mix of sweet treats and bubbly drinks, all curated for you in shades of pastel pink!

      Decorations

     First, you are going to want to create the right atmosphere. This is where you can feel free to get creative. Is the mood lighthearted and joyful? Or are we aiming for a darker gothic atmosphere? For this article, we have stuck to the classic pink, red and heart-themed aesthetic of Valentine’s Day. However, if that theme doesn’t speak to you - you are free to adapt all these key features from this article for your own themed brunch! Once you’ve narrowed down the theme and mood, you’ll choose your key decorative elements appropriately to bring your theme and vision to life.

     Recommended items to acquire are:

     Balloons and garlands: Use these to create the perfect backdrop for those group photos you’re sure to take.

     Flowers: fresh is best! Nothing brightens up a room like fresh flowers.

     Candlelight: for a soft, warm, inviting ambience

     I’d pick up some Pretty Heart Balloons, a Pink Flower Bouquet and a few of those lovely Floral Aroma Candles. If you’re struggling to find a cohesive arrangement, you can’t go wrong sticking to anything pink, red or heart-shaped. No matter what they are, they’ll definitely go together!

     The Menu

     The best brunch spread has a wide variety to choose from, with multiple savoury and sweet options. Now that you’ve got your lovely heart-shaped decorations in place, the next step is to design and fill your table with scrumptious treats that look as beautiful as they taste!

     Key elements for your savoury menu should include:

     Toast: a breakfast classic, top with some avocados or even your favourite fruit jam

     Eggs: go fancy with a perfect quiche, or stay classic with options of sunny-side up and scrambled

     Alternative proteins: Nothing impresses more than a fancy salmon brunch option, this is where you can truly shine! Consider salmon-topped bagel bites, or even create the perfect souffle

     Items I’ll be adding to my brunch spread are: Aisha Avocado Toast, Cinnamon and Thyme Quiche, and a Chili Salmon Souffle.

     Key elements for your sweet menu should include:

     Pancakes: sweet, fluffy, and topped with your favourite syrup, fruit and cream. What’s not to love? Don’t forget the batter itself is a way to add additional fun flavours into the mix!

     Muffins: to warm your soul, time your prep right to pull these straight from the oven once your guests arrive. Can guarantee that nothing warms the home like freshly baked muffins!

     Chocolate covered strawberries: a Valentine’s classic

     Look no further than my dining table for the perfect sweet menu: Chocolate Chia Pancakes, Strawberry Bruce Muffin, and Chocolate Coated Strawberries. If you saw the Bitten Heart Muffin over in my kitchen, no you didn’t! Sometimes a girl just can’t resist a good muffin, ok?

      Drinks

     Last but not least, you’ll want the perfect drink to accompany your delicious meal! Feel free to include festive concoctions or even a themed punch to enjoy. Suggestions for your beverages of choice include:

     A sparkling drink of celebration: create your best bubbly signature sip!

     Valentine’s Day-themed concoctions: Feel free to get creative with your names, perhaps some Love Potion No. 1? With some heart-shaped ice?

     Hot chocolate: won’t say no to those pink marshmallows on this festive occasion!

     You’ll find me stocking my drink table with: Sparkling Brunch Beverage, Purple Potion Punch, and a Pink Hot Chocolate Cart

     Activities

     Now that your place is well decorated and your menu and drink selection are set, the next step is to plan a fun-filled morning of activities to keep things entertaining and engaging. Here are a few ideas to help you and your group celebrate in style

     Flower Arranging Station: there’s a reason flowers are the most popular gift on this lovely holiday. Bulk buy your favourite stems, acquire some craft paper in shades of pink, brown and white and gather your friends to tap into their creative side and create some lovely bouquets! Pro tip: this floral station is so beautiful, it can double as part of your decor.

     Spa Day: It is Y25 here in Neopia, and the theme is wellness. Treat yourself and your friends to a relaxing spa day. Light your favourite aromatherapy candle and have everyone bring their favourite rose-hued nail polish for some DIY manicures. Self-care and health are a priority for all this year!

     Cookie Exchange: Invite your guests to bring a small batch of their favourite cookies to share with the group. The only thing better than one cookie is 10 cookies! This is the perfect way to sample a variety of sweet treats without committing to just one flavour.

     You’ll catch me leaving my party with a Valentine Rose Bouquet in hand, nails coated with Pink Usul Nail Varnish and full from eating too many Broken Heart Cookies

      This special holiday is meant to celebrate the season of love and friendship, so what are you waiting for? Go out and throw the ultimate Valentine’s Day Brunch and celebrate in style this year! This is my gift to you this year, lovelies. Sending you all extra love and hope you have the best day filled with sweet treats, beautiful blooms and thriving friendships.