Easter Entertaining Tips from O&B
Our team of experts share their tips for stress-free Easter entertaining
Though the start of spring signifies brighter days and new beginnings, it also means Easter season and the potential for last-minute guests and hosting duties. While foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies might offer some temporary stress relief, the all-too-familiar chaos of holiday entertaining can rear its ugly head if you don’t get your ducks in a row.
To help you exceed your guests’ wildest eggspectations, we asked our expert events team to share their best tips and time-saving hacks to ensure your Easter is as hoppy as can be. Whether you’re having a small gathering or big family dinner, you can make this Easter one to remember with some fresh ideas and a bit of preparedness!
Winner, Winner, Make It Dinner
“Typically, I like hosting Easter dinner more than Easter brunch. Not only does it allow guests more time to enjoy their morning traditions at home, it also means I have more time to prepare before my invitees start rolling in. Dinner also tends to be slightly easier to execute than brunch. I think our chefs would agree that one of the hardest things to cook well is eggs!” – Natalie Stanbra, National Director, Event Sales
Colour It Spring
“When the weather gets a little warmer and the grass turns green, it’s time to lighten things up with beautiful spring produce that is all about fresh, bright flavours and colours. When it comes to Easter menu planning, try incorporating ingredients like crispy stalks of asparagus, beautifully coloured radishes, and peas that pop. I always keep a lookout for globe artichokes with tightly packed leaves — a surefire sign that spring has sprung!” – April Mainprize, Manager, Event Sales
Keep Kiddos in Mind
“When hosting little ones, I always aim to make a guaranteed crowd-pleaser like macaroni and cheese to go along with whatever meat I’m cooking for a main. Even with picky eaters on your hands, it’s something you can prepare beforehand that’s likely to elicit a few bites from kids of all ages. As a sweet finish, make memories with an Easter egg hunt ending in a chocolate treat. Big or small, it truly is the best part of the holiday!” – Natalie Stanbra, National Director, Event Sales
Let Your Table Do the Talking
“When it comes to decor, a soft and beautiful tablescape can do wonders. Here are a few details to keep in mind:
- Blend neutrals and fresh pastels by combining simple rattan chargers, gold or silver flatware, and simple white dishware with a pop of colour from napkins or embossed glassware.
- Make use of the bounty of fresh, seasonal flowers available. It is the start of spring after all!
- Add height to your tablescape with different-sized cake stands — a great way to display handheld items or appetizers.
- Get creative with name cards! Use a mini chocolate bunny with your guests’ names wrapped around the top or hand-painted eggs with each person’s initials.
- Lastly, set your dining table the night before. You’ll thank me later!”
– Jessica Folkard, Catering Manager
Pare Down the Florals
“For florals, no need to go all out. You can’t go wrong with tulips, and the best part is that they come in a beautiful range of colours. If you’re looking for something different, keep it sophisticated and clean by alternating bunches of blue and white hydrangeas. Simply use scotch tape to create a grid on several wide vases that are full of water (hydrangeas are very thirsty flowers!). Add three stems of the same colour to each vase, cutting them short enough to ensure the heads hide the tape grid. Don’t remove the leaves either, as these will add the perfect amount of green.” – April Mainprize, Manager, Event Sales
Make New Traditions (but Keep the Old)
“A few Easters ago, my mom and I started dedicating the holiday to trying a new egg decorating technique. It may sound crazy, but we spend hours carefully blowing out the eggs, cleaning them, decorating them, and sealing each one (or at least those that make it). We’ve attempted everything from bright pink marble eggs with lustre dust to coloured eggs with gold leaf. While time-consuming, we’re left with special keepsakes with every passing year. It’s become a tradition I truly cherish.” – Natalie Stanbra, National Director, Event Sales
No matter what your Easter weekend looks like, we hope our eggspert tips can help you stay organized and carefree so you can spend less time stressing the details and more time making memories with the ones you love!
Happy Easter entertaining from all of us at O&B!
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