A Brief History of Brunch & Why Millennials Value Mimosas Over Mortgages

The amalgamation of breakfast and lunch came about sometime in the nineteenth century, although its exact origins are under debate. Some trace the first brunch gatherings to England when friends and relatives would congregate for a late morning meal in which everyone would contribute items ranging from fruits, eggs and cheeses to chicken liver, meats and bacon. Others claim that brunch resulted from the Catholic tradition of fasting before mass on Sunday mornings, followed by a gathering in which churchgoers would indulge in a late breakfast. And if history repeats itself and similar trends continue as taught in the fourth grade, it’s only a matter of time until Linner (Dunch?) makes its debut as a dictionary defined term for the delay in lunch and dinner following the indulgent late-morning meal.

Whether you’ve been the brunch coordinator enthusiastically perusing city menus in search of the best spot or the attendee hoping to consume enough waffles and bellinis to cure—or delay—a hangover, you’ve undoubtedly attended your fair share of brunch gatherings and likely spent more money than you’d wish to know. But why do millennials slug their way to brunch on the weekends following a night of over-indulgence or as a respectable Sunday social calendar event?

This very question has been scrutinized by millions, including major publications from The Washington Post to Time Magazine, so what do they have to say? Overall, the consensus is that millennials simply value social affairs over sizable savings accounts and are usually in search of a St. Tropez-esque photo to round out their Instagram feed… Condescending, wouldn’t you agree?

Although the brunch habit gets a bad rap, the very fact that millennials value time with friends is the ray of sunlight amidst the dense fog of (possible) irresponsibility and financial carelessness. Shouldn’t they be lauded for their commitment to see friends, regardless of the pursuit to snap a high resolution photo? And even though the majority have avoided mortgages and having their own offspring longer than their parent’s generation, millennials still spend time with people they love, even if they aren’t a blood relative. There are only so many years left until they’ll find themselves frantically searching for a babysitter, so why not prolong it a bit in the name of spending time with best friends?

If you’re feeling a bit exposed and self-conscious about your brunch habit, consider some of our brunch-adjacent suggestions below that will help you save a few dollars without sacrificing the niceties of a Sunday outing (high resolution cell phone cameras welcome).

Gather your gaggle and grab coffee and pastries at a local bakery or coffee shop. While it’s not the least expensive option these days, it’s sure to be cheaper than a plate of steak and eggs with a side of bottomless mimosas. Here are some of our favorites:

Consider inviting friends over for a home cooked version of Sunday brunch—just be sure to assign each guest an item to bring to help offset the cost (and time, because nothing sounds worse than waking up at 7am on a weekend to cook for your friends).

Swing by the New Albany indoor farmers market and pick up Lopaus Point Waffles…they’re delicious, local and every guest is sure to love them.
Quiches are one of the easiest ways to cook for a group of people, and we love this Classic Quiche Lorriane recipe.
Ask friends to pick up fresh berries from the farmers market and pair with Cool Whip for a sweet post-breakfast dessert to round out the meal.
Oh, and here’s a friendly reminder that a few bottles of champagne from the grocery store paired with freshly squeezed oranges is cheaper (and tastes better) than what you’ve overpaid for at restaurants.

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