Tips To Remember When Hosting Easter Brunch

Easter is one of the few holidays that involves a brunch rather than a dinner. It’s a unique holiday in many ways, including the fact that it involves egg hunts and children's games in addition to a delicious feast. Whether you’re hosting Easter for the first time or are expecting a particularly large group this year, there are always new the tips to help ensure a seamless and successful holiday.

When you’re planning an Easter brunch in your home, shop early, and have an open mind when choosing a menu. Prepare some food in advance, and decorate your home and table the day before. Consider a buffet rather than a plated meal, and ensure your yard and home are clean, especially when hosting an egg hunt. Use fresh herbs and flowers from your garden as decorations whenever possible.

Hosting your loved ones on Easter should be a fun and relaxing experience. Unfortunately, planning an elaborate brunch in your home can be stressful and chaotic if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, there are all sorts of ways you can set yourself and your home up for success in advance of the holiday. Keep reading to learn all the top tips you should know when hosting an Easter brunch.

14 Tips To Help You Host A Flawless Easter Brunch

1. Consider A Buffet To Make Serving Easier

Unless you are hosting an intimate gathering for a handful of loved ones, a buffet is usually the best option. Setting up a buffet is a lot easier to pull off than plating dozens of meals. It also makes it easy for picky eaters and those with allergies to select what they like.

When setting up a buffet, ensure you have ample space and decorate the area in advance. Remember to label your items, and have ample serving dishes and utensils. A buffet line isn’t only easier to execute, but it can also be a beautiful focal point if you decorate it mindfully.

2. Shop Early For Best Prices

Regardless of your budget, it’s always smart to shop as early as possible when you host a family gathering. Shopping early has many benefits, such as it ensures you can find all the products you need, since you may need to visit more than one store. It also gives you plenty of time to pick up any last-minute items you may have forgotten. If you have a specific menu in mind, shopping ahead of time is essential. It is also a great way to save money when hosting any family gathering. 

3. Utilize Fresh Flowers And Herbs From Your Garden

One great way to save money and add a personal touch to this holiday is to utilize fresh plants from your garden. In addition to using herbs in the food you prepare, you can create lovely herb bundles and display them on the buffet line and dining table. Mint, lavender, thyme, and sage all make beautiful decorations. If you have flowers blooming this Easter, cut some of the fresh blooms to make a bouquet. Don’t pick the flowers too early to ensure the bouquet lasts through the holiday.

4. Keep In Mind Church And Activities When Picking A Start Time

When you plan a daytime brunch, be mindful of other events that happen that day. Easter is a popular day of the year for church services. It’s smart to plan a later brunch to ensure observant guests have time to attend Easter services. If you’re inviting many children, remember to check with parents to see if there are any morning activities for the young ones. Once you have all the necessary information, choose a brunch time that works best for all your guests.

5. Buy Plants You Can Transplant After The Party

Easter coincides with gardening season. Fresh plants can make for great decorations. You can often find inexpensive Easter lilies, hydrangeas, daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowers in full bloom just before Easter. These small potted plants are stunning decorations, and you can also plant them in your garden once the party is over. Opt for perennials that will grow back year after year so that these decorations can live far beyond the holiday gathering.

6. Make A Guest List And Send Invitations With An RSVP

Any time you host a party, it’s smart to make a guest list and send invitations well in advance. You can invite people casually, but this can lead to an unconfirmed headcount. If you don’t have a complete guest list, it is very difficult to design your dining table and feel confident you'll have enough food. Sending an invitation also ensures your guests know when to arrive, what to bring, and are well aware of any activities you have planned. The more information you can give your guests in advance, the smoother the day will go.

7. Be Flexible With Your Menu, But Choose A General Theme

When you’re designing a big menu for lots of guests, it’s smart to be flexible. If you can’t find a specific vegetable or ingredient, don’t overthink it. Instead, choose a menu that highlights in-season foods, such as spring vegetables, berries, and herbs. While flexibility will remove stress, it’s still a good idea to have a general theme. Opt for a specific style of cuisine to avoid competing flavors.

8. Prepare Food And Decor In Advance Whenever Possible

One great way to reduce stress when hosting any holiday gathering is to cook and decorate in advance. Decorate inside your home well in advance of the gathering. The night before Easter, set up your buffet and dining table. Preparing your space the day before will allow you more time to focus on cooking and entertaining. Prepare baked goods and as many side dishes as possible in advance to save you a lot of time on Easter Sunday.

9. Utilize Your Boiled Eggs

Egg decorating is a popular pastime on Easter. If boiling and decorating eggs is something you do every year, then you should utilize all the boiled eggs after you decorate them. You can make deviled eggs and serve them to your guests, make egg salad to enjoy another day, or even send it home with your guests.

10. Have Games Ready For Kids

Brunch might be the highlight of Easter for adults, but children are there to hunt for Easter eggs and play games. If you have many children coming over for Easter brunch, ensure there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. There are plenty of DIY crafts and games you can have on hand. Consider creating a separate area with ample arts-and-crafts activities for the kids to enjoy while the adults socialize.

11. Tidy Up Your Yard Before Hosting An Egg Hunt

If you plan to host an Easter egg hunt before or after brunch, your yard must be clean. If the grass is long, mow it before guests arrive. Clean up twigs and debris, and tidy up your patio or porch. If you have outdoor furniture and the weather is nice, clean it so adult guests can relax outdoors while the kids hunt for eggs.

12. Don’t Forget Party Favors

Easter isn’t synonymous with gifts the way Christmas is, but it’s still nice to prepare party favors. There are endless sweet treats and toys you can purchase, and small gift bags can make a great touch. If children are attending your brunch, consider making small Easter baskets for each child.

13. Ham Isn’t Manditory

While ham is the most common protein to serve on Easter, it is by no means the only meat you can serve on this holiday. You can cook anything, including a fully vegetarian meal. If you’re confident in your cooking skills, then consider thinking outside the box and prepare a less traditional (and even more delicious) Easter spread.

14. Deep Clean Your Home A Day In Advance

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, thoroughly clean your home before hosting a large gathering. Deep cleaning your house can take hours, and it’s not something you should do on the day of an event. Instead, clean your home at least one day in advance. Sweep, vacuum, mop, and wipe all your surfaces. Remember that hosting a holiday is a great way to show off your home. Therefore, ensure it looks as clean and tidy as possible.

Wrapping Up Tips To Remember When Hosting Easter Brunch

Hosting any holiday gathering can be stressful and complicated, which is why it’s important you think of ways to make hosting easier. Some top tips for hosting an Easter brunch include shopping early and preparing food and decorations in advance. Clean your yard and your home at least one day before Easter, and pick fresh flowers and herbs to use as decorations. When hosting larger gatherings, opt for a buffet, and ensure you have plenty of fun activities for kids.

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