Easter Entertaining

Easter Traditions: Creating Your Own Family Recipes & Celebrations

Ah, Easter. The season of pastels, Peeps, and the one time of year we all pretend that we genuinely love ham. Like all holidays, Easter is steeped in tradition—but that doesn’t mean we can’t shake things up a little. While grandma’s green bean casserole (you know, the one drowning in canned cream of mushroom soup and topped with those sad, crispy onions) might be a nostalgic staple, there’s no rule saying we can’t elevate our own family recipes and create new traditions that will be just as cherished (minus the processed food hangover).

So, let’s talk about how to make Easter fresh, fabulous, and delicious—without a single can of condensed soup in sight.

Tablescapes: Bringing Style to the Easter Table

They say we eat with our eyes first, and if that’s true, then the Easter table should be a feast before the meal even begins. Whether you’re the Martha Stewart type or more of a “throw some flowers on the table and call it a day” host, there are plenty of ways to create a stunning tablescape with minimal stress.

Monochrome floral arrangements in pastel tones are always a crowd-pleaser. Think blush pink, buttery yellow, or soft lavender blooms clustered in an elegant display.

For those of us who may not have a floral design degree, monobotanical clusters (aka, picking one type of flower and sticking with it) create an effortlessly chic look.

The mix-and-match bud vase trend is here to stay. Scattering mini vases with small clusters of blooms across the table adds a rustic charm and, bonus, is super affordable.

Decorating with eggs? In this economy? With the price of eggs these days, that might be the most luxurious part of your decor. But faux eggs (hello, Amazon Prime) can be painted, dyed, or used as adorable place settings with napkins folded into bunny ears around them.

For the minimalists or those serving family-style meals, a single bloom at each place setting or a rustic pot of rooted daffodils brings a burst of color while leaving room for those all-important serving platters.

Reinventing Easter Classics: A Modern Take on Holiday Staples

Just because our great-grandmothers made it doesn’t mean we have to keep making it the same way. Some dishes deserve a glow-up! Here are a few classic Easter foods that could use a fresh, modern twist:

Loaded Devilied Egg Bar – For a lighter version, ditch the mayo bomb and try Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon for a lighter, brighter version.
Potato Salad – Roasted potatoes, grainy mustard, and fresh dill? Yes, please. No more mushy, mayo-laden side dishes.
Glazed Carrots – Skip the brown sugar overload and try a honey-roasted version with thyme and a hint of citrus.
Easter Bread – How about an olive oil and rosemary-infused savory version instead of the usual overly sweet, candied fruit nightmare?
Lamb or Ham? – Herb-crusted lamb chops or pork chops can be a delicious alternative to the traditional ham that’s a big much for smaller gatherings.

The Art of the Mocktail (and a Cocktail for the Brave Souls)

Let’s face it, not everyone is into drinking anymore, and honestly, the mocktail trend is having a moment. But for those who need a little something-something to survive the chaos of family gatherings, a well-crafted cocktail might be the MVP of the holiday.

Mocktails Worthy of a Toast

Lavender Lemon Fizz – Fresh lemonade, a hint of lavender syrup, and a splash of sparkling water. Or you can substitute the sparkling water for gin for the original Lavender Lemon Gin Fizz.
Rosemary Grapefruit Spritzer – Fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary-infused syrup, and tonic water.
Cucumber Basil Cooler – Muddled basil, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, and soda water.

Spring Cocktails with a Kick

Peach Thyme Bellini – Because nothing says “brunch” like a Bellini with a fancy herbal twist.
Elderflower Gin Fizz – Floral, citrusy, and dangerously smooth.
Strawberry Basil Margarita – A refreshing spin on a classic that will have guests feeling fancy in no time.

Pro tip: Keep your drinking in check unless you want to be the reason for next year’s “remember when you said that?” stories.

Easter 2025: Our Favorite Finds

From the best pastel-colored linen napkins to the cutest bunny-shaped serving trays, we’re rounding up our favorite Easter finds for 2025! Check back here for a list of handpicked products (and yes, affiliate links to make your shopping even easier).

Tabletop:

Charger Plates add a touch of elegance to any event table. Depending on your serving style, it may also be the place that’s set for each guest. For a casual or coastal table, I love woven water hyacinth chargers. For more formal table settings, it’s worth the investment in glass chargers that can be reused from season to season, over acrylic chargers that can take away from your place settings. Some of our favorite finds include:

Cloth Napkins can make or break your holiday table, and they can be used in so many ways to enhance the settings, add color, and elevate your decor. These are some of our favorites:

Cutlery:

For some households, family holidays may include pulling out family heirloom silverware, passed down through the generations and carefully packed away in its box between celebrations. For those of us who don’t have those treasured silver sets, or for those who want a more modern table, going with gold or graphite toned cutlery can create an elegant look. If you’re seeking an updated set for Spring, consider one of these options:

Floral:

Modern bud vases: As an event florist, one of my biggest bud vase challenges is that the prettiest, most delicate vases (read, skinny cylinders) are often the ones that tip – especially when placed outdoors. My favorite go-to bud vase for its sleek, modern style and stability are found here. They retain the clean lines of the cylinders, but with the added stability of a wider base and curved lip.

Rustic or Colored Bud Vases: For a more budget-friendly option, these bud vases offer the same stability and control, but with more texture, and available in a variety of colors.

Candlelight is all the rage when it comes to enhancing tablescapes. While it may not be a great idea to have a table full of candles with little hands running around, for the adults table, votives, floating candles, and pillars add volume to your centerpieces and elevate the look.