Photo by lindajd, sxc.hu
Easter is a holiday that is a little more free-form than others. That is to say, there are quite a few different things that one can do on Easter, and no single one is mandatory. Having said that, Easter is, at its heart, a feast, so there should probably be food involved. If you are looking for some ideas on how to best host an Easter celebration, keep reading.
Easter BasketsA great party should have great party favors. While Easter baskets may seem like a blast from your childhood past, you can probably bet that they're nice to receive at any age.
You don't have to put large, elaborate baskets together for everyone (especially if you are planning on having a lot of guests). Your local crafts shop should have some smaller alternatives. Along with the requisite candy and eggs, you could add some less traditional items, such as:
- Cheese and summer sausage
- Small bottles of nice liquor
- Gourmet coffee or tea
- Petit-fours
The MealEaster falls on a Sunday, which means brunch is a viable option for your gathering. Brunch has the advantage of being over by the evening, allowing you to relax later in the day and get some rest for work on Monday. You will have to do some preparation the night before, especially if you are expecting many guests. You'll also want to take into account whether or not you or your guests will be attending church that morning.
Photo by arinas74, sxc.hu
Easter dinner can (much like Thanksgiving) be served earlier in the day than you might normally eat your meal. If you opt to do things this way, set out some hors d'oeuvres to tide people over until the meal and to prevent them from spoiling it with a big lunch. Remember to let your guests know ahead of time that you will be having an early dinner, otherwise they may pick something up on the way to your place.
Easter dinner is usually lamb, but any type of roast will do. Of course, every family or group of friends has their own traditions. It is your decision whether or not you want to incorporate the Christian significance of the meal into the proceedings with a toast, reading, etc. Try and consider your audience and what you are comfortable with.
For the KidsEaster traditions are especially fun, and, if your gathering is going to involve smaller children, you might want to involve some of these activities. Most of them are fun for adults, too:
- If you have a willing participant or participants, you could set a up a table for smaller children at which someone could walk them through making their own Easter eggs, baskets, or other crafts.
- Have an Easter egg or Easter basket hunt. An Easter basket hunt is a more involved affair (you have to put one together for each of the people playing), but if you are close with the kids that will be attending the celebration, it can be a really special moment for them to find a basket with their favorite things in it. One of the best parts about these activities is that they can be done inside or outside.
- An Easter egg roll can be fun for everyone to participate in, and it might give them something to do while you are getting the meal ready.
Easter is a wonderful time for the family to get together just as it's starting to warm up outside. Whether it's for a relaxing brunch or a warm meal, Easter reminds us that we can have a fresh start and appreciate the ones we love.