Christmassy breakfast ideas please

[OMGitsnotgood]

We have friends calling in on Christmas Eve en route to their relatives. They’ll have been travelling a couple of hours before they get to us, and have another couple of hours driving after us.
We’ll be breakfasting about 10am, they and we have no other meals planned til early evening. They will be with us for about an hour and a half.

I don’t want to do a full English, as I wouldn’t enjoy travelling on such a full stomach. Bacon / sausage butties are an option but a bit ‘every day’.

I don’t want to do smoked salmon bagels, croissants, pain au chocolat, cranberry muffins as we graze on stuff like that on Christmas Day morning.

I eat absolutely anything for breakfast so would be happy with sausage rolls and mince pies but not everyone would agree with me there!

A fresh fruit salad is an option, something fresh would be good given the rich foods that will follow, but would need something else. American style pancakes are an option I guess but will need cooking last minute.

I don’t have a waffle iron, know anyone I can borrow one from, or want to buy one otherwise something like that topped with soft fruits would be perfect. Don't really like shop bought waffles. I also don’t have anything that would make paninis, would also be ideal. Now these are i. my head, struggling to see past them! Any ideas? I’d like it to be vaguely festive but that’s not essential. Not really into Christmas tree shaped crumpets etc.

Thank you

Strata is getting a lot of mentions and I've never made it! Will try it out at the weekend I think, thank you

That's a cracking idea, could top with a fruit coulis, similar to the waffle idea i had without having to make waffles!

Coco pops with Baileys

kedgeree could be an option.

Thank you all so much for the great suggestions, too much to choose from but am happy I will be able to offer a delicious breakfast, This is why I love Mumsnet!

That sounds so ridiculously fantastic!

I was going to suggest this on top :)
https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/breakfasts/christmas-compote

ooh yes, I'd forgotten about that. So spoilt for choice now!

@Intelligenthair perfect, thank you!

I know food 😁
<adjusts stretchy trousers>

Baked eggs
Kedgeree
Smashed avo and bacon
Eggs Benedict
Omelette
Something based around bubble and squeak
Shakshuka
Culken Skink

Re Panini - no equipment needed, under the grill open sarnie style

Muffins - as in the kind you would use for Eggs Benedict - toast in toaster, top with some passata with a hint of mixed herbs, layer on sliced mushrooms, spinach, grated cheese, bit of charcuterie if you like, put under the grill. A kinda deli mini pizza hybrid

I do this kedgeree. Just needs chucking together in the morning and all ages love it.
https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/bacon-avocado-kedgeree/96bada4c-bd96-4909-8dbd-fc8eb36f8923

Muffins sound great. Avocado another great idea, thanks

That's a great recipe! thank you

I’ve done a Mexican breakfast/brunch before for friends.

Bacon, beans, avo, salsa, goats feta etc. A bit picky but cheerful around the table. Filling but not heavy.

It went really well.

My favourite is smoked salmon with scrambled eggs with croissants. DC have pastries.

Nigella’s Dutch baby - pancake done in oven so no faffing!

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/dutch-baby

Op I'd go with breakfast rolls (sausage, bacon, blackpudding) or pancakes and strawberries but I wouldn't go wild.

Keep it simple or you'll end up spending far more time preparing for their visit than actually enjoying the visit.

just when I thought I'd made my mind up, along come more fabulous suggestions! Am thinking I might have to treat the family to more special breakfasts right through Christmas and New Year to use more of the ideas! Thank you all

Pancakes? Similar to waffles in what toppings you can do. YOu can make a stack ahead of time and warm in the oven later.

Kedgeree is a good call, any left over can be frozen.

Slices of ham and salmon and melon with scrambled eggs.

I have a toastie maker that has different plates - including for waffles. But£20 for one breakfast is a lot
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Sandwich-Toaster-Waffle-Crystals%C2%AE/dp/B07MSFPH9Q/ref=sr_1_28?c=ts&keywords=Sandwich+Toasters+%26+Panini+Presses&qid=1700015954&s=kitchen-appliances&sr=1-28&ts_id=3147611

I make a virtual breakfast most mornings.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the-wide-awake-club/4834229-the-happy-place-cafe-is-still-open?reply=130739116

This sounds delectable!

Spanish omelette, make earlier in the day then cut into wedges to quickly reheat when needed.

Pork pie with coleslaw or red cabbage...the classic Boxing Day breakfast!

Hot ham & cheese filled croissants.

Thin cut hot steak sandwiches/rolls with a choice of condiments.

French toast made with slice brioche with maple syrup, bacon, blueberries? Dusted with icing sugar

Brie, bacon & cranberry toasties

Soda bread toast, loads of butter with some basil, parmesan & creme frache scrambled eggs, if feeling fancy some herby/peppery sausages on the side

Big versions of pigs in blankets, before fully cooked glaze with honey and mustard, then pop them in a part baked baguette topped with some kind of festive chutney and make posh festive hot dogs.

Croissants or sourdough with sautéed herby & garlic mushrooms with wilted spinach in a creamy sauce, creme frache with a little bit of whole grain mustard in the sauce, then top with sliced goats cheese and oven cook on gentle heat until goats cheese is cooked and melted. Top with some balsamic glaze or red onion chutney.

Asda currently have a beautiful cherry and amaretto jam and some sourdough crumpets with a Potato hash bake covered in a sage butter and brie as a side dish, sweet and savory.

Also what I like doing for Christmas breakfasts is a slow cooker hot chocolate station with a way of pimping it up, so a black forest syrup or baileys cream or something to make it more adult? Also topping the cream with a chocolate coin is completely necessary!

Definitely a plate of stollen slices or mince pies and box of festive biscuits next to the hot drinks and if you're able to some of the copella apple and elderflower or fresh orange.
If you've guests who don't like the dried fruit based sweets such as traditional Xmas cake, then some vanilla French fancies or slices of festive Swiss roll.
(Or get friends with better taste buds!)

I'm American and pancakes can be made ahead, even frozen and heated morning of. Just wrap in foil and keep them warm in the oven until you're ready to serve. Use oil in the pan instead of butter so the edges will stay crispy. We have them all the time with a side of scrambled eggs for protein, and many times topped with fruit and whipped cream. Sometimes I add some pumpkin pie spice or just cinnamon to the batter. Always a big splash of vanilla too.

All of this sounds truly amazing! Wow!