Fabulous EASTER ENTERTAINING TIPS

Easter is the perfect holiday to host your family and friends.

I love entertaining on this weekend in April because it's usually

when the first really warm weather is here and our garden puts on its first gorgeous show.

We host an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch, in the back garden,

for our family, and friends.

{Sometimes our children's friends, too, if I'm lucky!}

Last year, Easter was early, and our guests sat around the

fire pit, some with blankets, it was a little chilly!

But that didn't dampen our Easter fun, not one bit.

If you are welcoming guests for Easter weekend this year,

then these entertaining tips are for you.

I’m a big believer in not worrying about the small details,

but focusing on small gestures that make your guest

feel special.

EASTER ENTERTAINING TIPS {in no particular order!}

1. WELCOME YOUR GUESTS. At the door. Welcoming your guests at the door is the best way to show them how excited you are to see them! 2. OFFER A WELCOME DRINK. At times, I set up a little tray in the hallway with drinks. But for Easter, it's a pot-luck, so the drinks station is outside in the back garden. If I can't offer our guests a drink myself, I've usually asked John or one of our children to ask each guest if they would like a drink. It makes your guests feel comfortable, and included. 3. PLAY MUSIC. Louder than normal. A fun upbeat music selection, or a calming classical one, can set the tone for any party. Great music will have an immediate impact on your party and quickly get it off the ground. 4. PLAN AHEAD. The more, the better. I plan out my table ahead of time, with platters and little sticky notes on each for what will go on that particular platter or in the serving dish. For our Easter Buffet, I make a place for the plates, the napkins and flatware, glasses, serving dishes and leave open spaces for the dishes our guests will be bringing. I set it all up the day before, so on Easter Sunday, it's ready to go! Don't be afraid to mix in some of your favorite antiques or vintage pieces. This is a good time to have some fun!

READ THE EASTER BUFFET POST >

5. ADD SEASONAL DECORATIONS TO YOUR TABLE. Try not to overdo. A gorgeous floral bouquet, a few scattered eggs, and a bunny is wonderful! Keep it simple. Fresh flowers are a dazzling way to add festivity to your table and create cheerful setting for your party. Some years, I arrange pastel spring flowers "just so", but other years, I might just place a big bunch of flowers in every color in an antique French jar like the one below.

SEE THE SPRING FLOWERS POST >

6. KEEP YOUR MENU SIMPLE. We host our Easter lunch each year. It doesn't matter how many people come! My menu is the easiest...I order a ham and a turkey breast from Honey Baked Ham, buy drinks, make one appetizer, and let guest bring one side dish that their family loves. I always say this is the easiest party to have, e v e r. My part of the menu never changes, I don't cook or bake anything. Easy but delicious recipes are the best. Make sure you have made it before so you know it will come out right. The Easter Brunch Check List post has some tried and true recipes that I can always count on.

READ THE EASTER CHECK LIST POST >

7. LOVE THE LITTLE PEOPLE. I always pick up an assortment of coloring books, stickers, and other small crafty things for the kids to do. Even at Easter, since mean me makes them wait until after they have eaten lunch to go find the eggs and treasures with their little baskets in tow, they love to "create". Bonus. Often, the other guests join in on the fun. It's heartwarming to see a great-grandmother enjoy painting something just as much side by side with her great-grandchildren. Those are the moments I cherish about this whole entertaining thing! 8. REFRESH YOUR ENTRY. This one is close to my heart, as I love nothing more than to add beautifully planted flowers to our front porch entryway. I always have something new and fresh in the planters by my front door for a party. 9. HAPPY HOST HAPPY GUESTS. The most important thing you can do to make your guests feel welcomed and relaxed is to be relaxed yourself. With a little organization ahead of time and a simple easy to make menu, you will enjoy your party yourself, and have lots of time to spend time with your guests!

I've just restocked some of your favorite spring and Easter entertaining staples.

You can SHOP THEM ALL HERE >

ARE YOU ENTERTAINING FOR EASTER? HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY CELEBRATE?

If you want to romance your Home and Garden with antique and vintage treasures to make you smile each time you come home, visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.