It’s about that time for the Easter bunny to hop over to our homes, planting colorful eggs for the children to find. And because the weather is starting to thaw out and warm up around the country, it’s the perfect time to get outside to enjoy the elements before things get too steamy.
Last year, we were hired to design a themed tablescape to feed all the hungry kiddos and adults after an Easter egg hunt. The Easter celebration was small and intimate because we were still emerging from the pandemic, and the serene water view was the perfect backdrop for our brunch buffet. A simple folding table and a few outdoor tables the homeowner already owned set the stage for the food. The client also had some existing Easter decor and a few vintage pieces they asked us to incorporate into the design. These items complimented a pastel color palette and textured linens, creating an “egg-celent” brunch setting that both the kids and adults enjoyed.
Below are some photos from the setup.
Love this idea and wondering how you can re-create it yourself? Scroll down for some of our secret tipsβ¦
..…shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone π
A Place for Treats.
Your party could be standing room only, but if you’d like to provide refreshments, it will require a place to put them. Take a look around your house to see what you might be able to use first. Card tables, folding tables, consoles, or side tables could be moved indoors or outdoors as a make-shift buffet station. As an alternative, if your home has a kitchen or outdoor bar top, clear it off as a way to display food without having to disturb other furniture pieces.
As a last resort, if you do not want to move furniture or don’t have a bar top to utilize, you can look into renting tables from a local company. Many places have folding tables, bistro tables, or cocktail tables available to rent for a nominal price. Do your research and call a few places to compare prices (average prices may vary depending on where you live in the U.S.). Ensure the company is reputable, will deliver on time (if you do not pick up the items yourself), and that there are no hidden fees associated with the asking price. If the company is only open during the week, you may get an extra day or two with the tables for free. So you can party all weekend!
Add some texture or color.
Once you have a place for your food, you may want something to dress up the area (especially if you’re renting tables or using a card table). Unless you want something specific that you don’t currently have, look around your house again. Do you have any tablecloths stashed somewhere? A pretty sheet or blanket? Or maybe just some burlap or a few yards of fabric you’ve been saving for that perfect DIY project. Remember that food will be placed on top of where the linen will lay, so make sure that whatever you use, you don’t mind if crumbs or liquid get splashed or spilled on top of it.
If you don’t have anything around your house that might work, look at a local Goodwill or thrift store before purchasing something new. Beautiful vintage or everyday tablecloths can often be found here. Many times for a fraction of the price of new ones. Be sure to dig around and look under items if your thrift store is packed with merchandise (like the one I go to). You may discover some real hidden gems. Once you find the perfect piece, Febreze and wash it. Typically a good wash will clean up any imperfections that it might have. And voila, you’ve checked #2 off your decorating list.
Vary the height of decor.
No one likes a boring table. The easiest way to create a more appealing layout is to add height to the table. Crates, baskets, and tall flower arrangements are all items you can use to add interest. Also, don’t throw away those Amazon boxes you might receive before your party. Lay the box on an undressed table and cover it with a linen or two. You’ve instantly added table height for free (well, except for the cost of whatever you bought online!)
Just make sure whatever you intend to put on top of it isn’t so heavy it will sink the box. However, if you need extra support, fill the box with a blanket, bubble wrap, or even the plastic grocery bags you’re saving for your dog walks. Something that will make the box a little more sturdy.
Style it.
Now comes the fun part. Time to decorate! As I mentioned before, thrift stores are fantastic places to find holiday or inexpensive decor. If something looks grungy or imperfect, spray it with paint or wrap it in fabric. You could also look at decoupaging the item in wallpaper, scrapbooking paper, or even tissue paper.
As an alternative, Dollar Tree and Walmart typically stock their shelves with low-priced decor items to make your table pop.
And don’t forget to support your local boutiques or vintage stores! You’ll likely find something unique or one-of-a-kind that will make your party shine.
Don’t forget the food.
Making food for your party can be a daunting task. But with a few shortcuts, you can make the job much easier. Save time by using items that are pre-canned, precut, or pre-assembled. Canned chicken for chicken salad will eliminate baking or boiling chicken breasts. Pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs (like the ones you find at Costco) will save your sanity (peeling eggs can be frustrating!). Grocery stores such as Publix offer grab-and-go fruit bowls ready to serve. They also have pre-made tea and lemonade that’s always a crowd-pleaser! Aldi is also a fantastic resource to find a unique assortment of pre-made snacks, and as a bonus, their items are very competitively priced!
If your guests are bringing kids, include kid-friendly options on the menu as well. We lined the bottom of a plastic cup with ranch dressing for the Easter party above, then filled them with precut carrots, celery, and cucumbers. Snack in a flash!
Don’t overthink it. You don’t have to feed your guests a full meal unless you just want to. Appetizers allow your guests to have a bite to eat so they don’t get hangry. It can also be an easier option for the host. Wondering how much food you will need and what quantities to buy? Foodie and Wine offers a food and drink calculator to help eliminate the guesswork.
So, are you all set to plan your own “Hippity Hoppity” brunch? Are there any secrets you want to know about that we left off the list? Or, does this seem like too much work? We want to hear your thoughts!
If you create your own Easter party, please post and tag us on Facebook, or Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Or, if you would like someone to do all the heavy lifting for you, we’re happy to help with that too.
We hope all of your parties are happily hippity hoppity!
Your savvy “biz” friend,
Summer
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