Christmas Won’t Be Christmas… How to Host a Little Women Christmas Brunch

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” Jo grumbled, lying on the rug.

With that one line, Louisa May Alcott sweeps us into the warmth and bustle of the March household — a home full of love, laughter, and the occasional sisterly squabble.

March sisters by Christmas tree — Four women in long dresses sit and stand near a decorated Christmas tree in a warmly lit parlor with green walls and red curtains.

That first chapter has always been one of my favorites: the March girls, gathered close to the fire, dreaming of the day ahead… only to give away their own Christmas breakfast to a family in need.

And there’s a particular reason why this scene is near to my heart. it’s not just because I relate to Jo March, (though I most assuredly do). There’s more to it than that.

Many, many moons ago, I directed Little Women at a School of the Arts, where I taught drama and creative writing. My four daughters were in the play and my eldest (Randi) played the role of the sour Aunt March. I still laughing, thinking about how funny she was.

But there’s another memory, one that brings a sigh. That opening line: “Christmas won’t be Christmas without presents.” To this day, I haven’t forgotten it. Why? Because those sweet March sisters decided to give up their breakfast and take it to a family in need.

And that, my friends, is the theme of this party.

With all of that in mind, I’m going to share some ideas for how you can host a Little Women-inspired brunch, (one where you actually get to eat the food, not give it away)!

That mixture of coziness and kindness makes the perfect inspiration for a holiday gathering. A Little Women Christmas Breakfast Party isn’t just about good food — though there will be plenty — it’s about friendship, generosity, and the small acts that make Christmas truly beautiful.

Setting the Scene

The March home isn’t lavish, but it’s warm, well-loved, and filled with thoughtful touches. You can capture that same feeling in your party space:

Victorian Christmas breakfast table — A lace-covered table set with bread, rolls, fruit, and juice, surrounded by wooden chairs, in a warmly lit room decorated with red curtains, wreaths, garland, and a Christmas tree.

Table Setting: White or cream tablecloth, with a plaid or quilted runner down the center.
Centerpieces: Evergreen sprigs, red berries, brass candlesticks, and perhaps a few well-loved books stacked with ribbon.
Quote Display: Frame Jo’s opening line and set it in the center of the table.
Extra Touch: Wrap a few empty boxes in brown paper and red ribbon for “presents” to stack in the corners or near the fireplace.

A Menu Inspired by the March Sisters

Three girls at breakfast table — Three young women in red pinafores and white blouses smile while seated at a table with pancakes, muffins, sausages, and coffee.

In the book, the March girls’ breakfast includes hot coffee, cream, muffins, buckwheat pancakes, and sausages — all given away to help a neighbor. For your party, you can recreate that generous spread. Just click the links for recipes and tutorials from my Out of the Box Baking site!

Buckwheat or Buttermilk Pancakes with warm maple syrup.
Sausages (or perhaps a breakfast sausage casserole)
Baskets of Muffins — try cranberry-orange, blueberry, or cinnamon.
Fruit Compote or Lemon Curd, along with fresh berries in pretty bowls.
Scones in your favorite flavor: Strawberry, Lemon-Blueberry, or Classic
Jam & Cream for spreading on muffins or scones.
Hot Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa in mismatched cups.

For a nod to the Marches’ generosity, set aside a “giving basket” at your party. After breakfast, donate muffins or a food basket to a local family or shelter.

Character Corners & Activities

Jo’s Attic Theater

Jo is never happier than when she’s staging a play in the attic with her sisters. Recreate this joy by setting up a little “theater corner”:

Four girls in an attic crafting — Four young women in long dresses and aprons work together at a wooden table under attic rafters, sunlight streaming through a window.

A basket of costume pieces: shawls, hats, capes, ribbons, skirts.
Props: rolled-up “scripts,” toy swords, baskets.
Guests can improvise short scenes or read dramatic lines from the book.

Beth’s Piano

In one of the most tender moments in the novel, Mr. Laurence gifts shy Beth a piano. If you have a piano (or even a small keyboard), decorate it with a vase of flowers and a stack of sheet music.

Woman playing piano with flowers — A young woman in a long skirt and blouse plays an upright piano topped with a vase of pink and white flowers.

Invite a friend or family member to play gentle piano pieces during the meal.
If live music isn’t an option, create a playlist of classical piano and Little Women film score tracks.

Meg’s Hair Mishap

Meg’s curling-iron disaster before a party is one of the book’s funniest moments. Add a playful nod with:

Two concerned young women — Two women in 19th-century attire stand indoors, one looking alarmed, the other watching with concern, sunlight behind them.

A “Meg’s Beauty Station — Caution!” sign beside a vintage curling iron prop.
A trivia card explaining the scene.
A “share your funniest beauty mishap” icebreaker.

Dress the Part

Encourage guests to channel their inner March sister:

Four girls in bonnets at table — Four young women in long 19th-century dresses and bonnets sit around a small round table under a brass lamp.

Meg: Elegant but simple dress, hair pinned neatly.
Jo: Long skirt, braid or loose hair, maybe an ink smudge or two.
Beth: Soft colors, apron, hair tied back.
Amy: Pastels, sash, and hair ribbons.

Keep a few shawls, bonnets, and hats on hand for guests without costumes.

Music for a March Christmas Morning

Victorian carol singers — A group of women in navy and red Victorian dresses with lace collars and holly wreath headpieces sing from songbooks against a backdrop of Christmas lights.

Soft carols on piano.
Gentle classical pieces.
Tracks from the Little Women (1994 or 2019) soundtracks.

A Heartwarming Ending

The March sisters show us that Christmas joy isn’t wrapped in ribbon — it’s found in kindness, generosity, and shared moments. Whether you serve pancakes on fine china or simple plates, whether your guests arrive in costume or cozy sweaters, your Little Women Christmas Breakfast Party* will capture that same spirit.

As you pour coffee, pass baskets of warm muffins, and hear laughter mingling with the sound of piano music, you might feel — just for a moment — that you’re right there in the March home on Christmas morning.

And perhaps you’ll agree: Christmas isn’t Christmas without the chance to give.

BONUS SIDE ELEMENTS – LITTLE WOMEN CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST PARTY

Little Women Trivia to Share

Print on small cards and scatter on tables or tuck into napkin rings.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents” is the very first line of the novel, instantly setting the scene for the March family’s generosity.
In the book, the March sisters give away their Christmas breakfast to a poor family — an act inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s own charitable upbringing.
The character of Jo was loosely based on Louisa herself, who also loved to write and dreamed of being an author.
Mr. Laurence gifting Beth a piano is one of the most tender moments in the novel, and it mirrors Louisa’s real affection for music.

Party Prep Timeline (for Pinterest appeal)

One Week Before:

Send invitations (paper or email — include a Jo quote for charm).
Order props: plaid table runner, costume pieces, brass candlesticks.
Plan your breakfast menu.

2–3 Days Before:

Bake muffins ahead and freeze if needed.
Set up “character corners” (Jo’s attic theater, Beth’s piano).
Print trivia cards and quotes.

Party Morning:

Brew coffee and tea, prepare cocoa.
Make pancakes and keep warm in the oven.
Set out costumes, props, and donation basket.

Little Women remains my favorite novel. (Coming in a close second is the novel Christy, by Catherine Marshall.)

Printable Quote Card Ideas

Offer your guests a free PDF (vintage background, pretty script) with these lines:

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” — Louisa May Alcott
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott
“We’ll all grow up someday, Meg, we might as well know what we want.” — Jo March