The thought of entertaining for a large group can be daunting. But, with some planning and organising, you can put on a great Easter event that everyone will be raving about. The important thing is to enjoy the company of your family and friends.

The Set-Up

Two weeks before Easter: Invite (or confirm) your guests.

The week before Easter: Plan the menu and create a shopping list. Be mindful of allergies and special diets. Shop for non-perishables.

3 days before Easter: Shop for your perishables. Start cleaning your home. Split the tasks up between each member of the household.

2 days before Easter: Finish up the final touches around the house. Bring in any extra chairs and/or tables that you will need. Get out your tablecloths, napkins, silverware, plates, cups, salt and pepper shakers, etc. Double check to make sure you have all needed cooking supplies. Make any last minute trips to the shops (don’t forget the ice and extra beverages). Complete any decorating you had planned.

1 day before Easter: Prepare the dishes you had planned to make ahead of time. Have a simple supper and try to get to bed early.

Before guests arrive: Set up the tables and finish any last minute dishes. Do a final walk through of the house picking up any clutter. Make sure the bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper, soap and extra towels.

The dinner

1) Cook ahead of time

If you are in less of a rush to get all of the food prepared, you will be in better spirits so make as much food as you can the day before.

For example you could make your deviled eggs, salads, desserts, or bread ahead of time. If you go with a ham that is already cooked, all you will have to do is heat it up. Scalloped potatoes from a box will do just fine too. Or, ask guests to each bring a dish to share. That way the workload is distributed.

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2) Accept imperfections

Sure, you’ve seen those perfect tables in magazines with elaborate centerpieces and fancy food served with a napkin folded into a swan. You don’t have to be flawless to be a great host though. Be yourself, cook what you love and create a table that fits your needs. Inevitably, something will go wrong. How you handle it is a testament to your character. Look at it this way if the ham falls on the floor or Great Grandma Edith nods off during grace, you will have a funny story to tell for years to come.

Don’t Forget the Fun!

1) Colouring Eggs

Dyeing eggs with the little ones usually means one thing: a huge mess. But, with a couple of simple tips, the mess can be minimised along with the stress.

• A kit can be purchased to dye the eggs or you can easily make your own colours. For each colour, use ½ cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 20 drops of food colouring.
• Have children use a whisk to colour the eggs! If an adult loads the egg in and out of the whisk, the child can easily color eggs without colouring their fingers.
• Use a box to prevent spills! Flip the box upside down. Cut circles in the box that will fit the cups you are going to use. Snuggle the cups in tight so they can’t tip over.

2) Game Time

Easter Pictionary; write things related to Easter on slips of paper and place in a basket. Divide the family into teams. Flip a coin to see which team will go first. The winning team picks one person to draw. That person takes a slip from the basket and has 60 seconds to draw the object for his/her team. If the team guesses correctly, they get a point. If not, the other team has 10 seconds to come up with the answer and earn a point. Teams take turns until each person has had a chance to draw. The team with the most points wins!

Hopefully the above tips will help make your Easter weekend and celebrations run a little smoother and be loads of fun. Happy Easter!

How do you prepare for the Easter weekend? Share in the comments below.

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