Mother's Day brunch

Garden Brunch

Ask Mom what she wants for Mother's Day, and she'll probably say something like, "I just want to spend it with my family. I don't need anything else."

Honor that classic reply with a simple garden party, says professional event planner Greg Jenkins of Bravo Productions. Jenkins has 25 years of event planning experience and his clients include US Presidents and NFL teams. But, says Jenkins, there's a time and place for simple elegance.

"Just a clean, manicured backyard lawn makes a pleasant backdrop for an outdoor gathering," says Jenkins. "Add mini appetizers, finger sandwiches and a specialty punch. Decorate with family and friends."

Spring garden party planning tips and recipes >>

Fruit Brunch

Mother Nature herself can supply your fruit-inspired Mother's Day ?b?runch. ?Start with edible decor, says San Francisco-based interior designer Cecilie Starin. "Fill trays, urns, serving bowls, berry bowls and glass jars with apples, grapes, oranges, lemons, limes and pears. Friends and family will appreciate the beauty of the colorful display while enjoying the flavor of nature's sweetest rewards."

And add a fruity drink, like this sangria from Lulu Powers, author of Lulu Powers Food to Flowers:

Sangria Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 shots apricot brandy
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1 peach, cut into wedges
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 granny smith apple, sliced
• 1 bottle of your favorite red or white wine
• 1 can limeade
• sugar to taste
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• ginger ale
• ice

Preparation

1. Soak all fruit with brandy and cinnamon for about an hour.
2. Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine.
3. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds) and add sliced peaches, strawberries, limeade, sugar and brandy. Chill overnight.
4. Add ginger ale and ice just before serving.?

Spring cocktail recipes >>

Floral brunch

Flowers make a wonderful Mother's Day gift, but you can do far more than just buy a bunch or basket from the greenhouse. Incorporate a floral theme into your overall brunch decor.

Take advantage of plentiful spring flowers for your decor, says Jenkins:

• Decorate with daffodil linen patterns
• Use floral china
• Create centerpieces of spring flora such as tulips

And for your food, too:

• Salad with edible dandelions
• Iced tea with hibiscus flowers or Wild Hibiscus Flower Sparkler
• A vegetarian entree with spring produce and garnished with lilies
• Homemade "Sweetest Blooms" gourmet cupcakes

Learn how to identify and utilize edible flowers >>

More Mother's Day ideas

Mother's Day barbecue recipes
No-bake desserts for Mom
Mother's Day party ideas