Easter is a favorite time to celebrate with our friends and family here at FrenchGardenHouse!
It's a time when we celebrate the resurrection, celebrate the fresh new hope of Spring, and just celebrate being all together!
I plan what I'm serving at least a week or so before, and also make a list of all the serving pieces I want to use for the buffet table.
That way I'm not stressed, or trying to re-invent the table at the last minute. I can enjoy the day, knowing that I planned it all ahead!
Here's an easy check list I use, and that you can use too. This weekend is the time to really start planning, if you haven't already.
A WEEK BEFORE EASTER.
1. PLAN THE MENU.
Write down what you will be having for brunch {or lunch or dinner} and make a huge list. I actually plan my menu on a blank piece of printer paper, I like room for doodling!
Here is what we will be having for our Annual Egg Hunt & Brunch:
Assorted Appetizers {guests bring their favorites}
The Perfect Spring Appetizer
Honey Baked Spiral Ham
Honey Baked Chicken Breast
Arugula and Roasted Grape Salad {recipe coming Wednesday!}
Cesar Salad
Spring Parmesan Artichoke Risotto
Most Delicious Hashbrowns Ever
Assorted Rolls and condiments
Easter Cake {made by me, simple layer cake with frosting}
Easter Cookies
Mixed Berries
2. MAKE A SHOPPING LIST.
Write down every single thing you will need. I group my lists into "areas" of the market, or into different shops I need to go to.
If you will have a HoneyBaked Ham, order it now, there's still time. They have a great online reservation service, you simply log in, click on what you want to reserve at your local store, and they email you with your pick-up time. Pick up early, the ham will keep for days, so at least that part will be done.
3. PLAN THE TABLE.
Yay! You all know this is my favorite part! Will you have a formal table, or casual? Best antique dishes, or every day, or paper?
I use another piece of 8-1/2" x 11" blank paper to plan out my tables. I'm visual, so I make simple shapes for the centerpiece, the serving bowls and platters and everything that will go on the table. I also make a note of the serving utensils.
I also write on this "blue print" what food goes on each dish. That way, when Easter morning comes, and I'm a little scattered, I can look at my plan and know exactly what goes where.
A FEW DAYS BEFORE EASTER.
1. SHOP FOR EVERYTHING.
I try to have everything in house by now. I pick up my ham and chicken breast. If there is something to be picked up the day before Easter, I will make a separate list for that.
2. COOK AHEAD.
If you are making cakes, cookies and other things that could possibly be made ahead, do it! In years past I've made things in the beginning of the week and frozen them.
These days, my menu is so simplified, that I just make a cake, some cookies ahead of time and call it done for the cooking part, except for the salads which are so super easy to mix together on the morning of Easter, and the risotto, which I will make early Easter morning.
3. CREATE FLORAL CENTERPIECES.
Flowers always look better a few days out, so you can easily create your beautiful flowers Wednesday or Thursday. They will cheer you up while you are busy working on your Easter celebration too!
Flowers can be anything from a beautiful bunch of all one flower arranged in an antique ironstone French pitcher - to single stems, each in an old glass bottle.
4. CLEAN.
By that I mean dust, and vacuum. Make sure the bathrooms are clean, with a little flower arrangement, some pretty soaps, and clean towels for guests.
Don't wear yourself out, guests don't really notice if your home is ready to be featured on America's Cleanest Homes, or not. Just use common sense, you don't want to be so exhausted by the time Sunday comes!
5. MAKE EASTER BASKETS AND/OR FAVORS.
It's a sweet idea to make a little Easter favor for each guest. It can be anything from a small bar of French soap, to a little box of chocolates.
I started the tradition of filling my grandchildren's Easter baskets with a new bathing suit, and just a few chocolate treats. I love spending some "me" time creating their baskets, and also any favors for guests. This favor below is just a paper box tied with vintage ribbon, filled with some speckled candy eggs, topped with a tag and a little sprig of wax flower.
THE DAY BEFORE EASTER
1. SET THE TABLE.
Since we actually eat outside in the back garden, for me this means I only set my buffet table in the kitchen area. But I do have tables and chairs outside set out already by the end of the day. {thank you Mr. FrenchGardenHouse!}
I gather big plastic bins, to fill up with all the plates, flatware, napkins, tablecloth, glasses and everything else I use outside. So that when it comes time to set table outdoors, it's all in an easy totable bin!
2. CHOOSE OWN EASTER OUTFIT. I usually try it on, too! I want to look somewhere between elegant and casual, and wear clothes that are really comfortable. Usually for the brunch, this is my "go to" outfit - a pair of white or jean skinny pants, a non-wrinkle linen shirt, a bold, statement necklace, and comfortable shoes, often sandals since we live in California and the Brunch is in the garden.
EASTER DAY.
1. SET OUTDOOR TABLES. If you are having just one table, and it's indoors, you've already set it yesterday, so you are ahead of the game!
2. COOK LAST MINUTE DISHES. In my case, this means putting the risotto in the oven, and tossing the salad.
3. USE LIST TO PLACE ALL FOOD ON BUFFET TABLE. Use list to get all the food onto the buffet table, with a "blue print" there is no guessing. Plus, in my case {since I am famous for forgetting to serve something - which no one but me knows!} it helps as a reminder to bring everything out of the refrigerator.
4. GREET GUESTS WITH A SMILE AND ENJOY THE DAY! You've made all these lists, shopped every store in town and prepared everything ahead of time so that when the party begins, you will enjoy it too!
Sometimes things aren't perfect, but it's okay. Glasses can break, a child can trip, if you as the hostess are in a non-frazzled state of mind, these are soon dealt with and forgotten. I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of my own Easter Preparation. I hope you are having a fun time planning your celebratory time with your own family and friends.
Don't forget to enter the give-away!
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL TIPS OR TRICKS TO GET READY FOR EASTER THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE? I'D LOVE TO KNOW!
24 comments
Thank you Denise! Sometimes it’s the little details that make everything special, isn’t it?
Lidy,
I, just love, love, love your attention to detail and your style! Your flower arrangements are always so beautiful, and I think the paper box tied with the vintage ribbon is such a nice detail -great idea. Think I will make them too. I also like to make list’s and plan out all my serving pieces sure makes things easier the day of your event. Please enter me into the drawing.
Thanks, Denise
Wonderful ideas to follow, I will try to do it all up right this year. Thank you for all your suggestions!!!!!
Such a beautiful setting, gorgeous decorations, along with great ideas.
Shannon, I hope you have a beautiful time! I know everything will be beyond lovely. xo
We do family style dinners for other holidays, but for Easter, it’s a middle of the day meal with so many people that having the buffet set up in the kitchen, and the tables set up outside is the way to go! Especially since there are so many little ones hopping around the garden. There is a crafts table for the children {and an occasional inspired adult!} and then the egg hunt, all in our garden….so it’s a very casual affair.
Happy Easter!
So interesting. In my family, the Americans go for buffets, but in France, they either serve family-style at the table (passing dishes) or serve plated dishes. People rarely get up from the table. I prefer family-style so I can avoid anything I don’t particularly like without leaving it on my plate (every Christmas, my in-laws give me a huge hunk of deer meat that I don’t touch, nor do I eat the cream-covered potatoes, but that leaves only the single stem of vegetable, which nobody else eats, but which I would have gobbled up given half a chance).
The parmesan artichoke recipe looks like a keeper- I am going to make this soon Happy easter to all.
Trudi
I just love anything you do for special occasions! I want to be seated at your table. Thanks for inspiring us. Pat
I don’t have any comments to add, but the pictures of the table settings are just beautiful!! The toile tablecloth is charming!
Happy Easter to All !!