Setting The Table For Easter

Whether you favour the rustic charm of an alfresco garden supper or will be serving traditional lamb and simnel cake in your dining room, read on for inspiration on creating the ideal setting.

It was perhaps days attending a rural catholic primary school that taught me to love this oft-overlooked holiday. There, the last afternoon of the spring term was spent hand painting eggs and fidgeting through chapel, where I prayed for salvation and a pet rabbit with equal earnest.

Now as a grown-up the unexpected joy of a four-day weekend has seen my adoration of Easter really amp up in the last few years. Unlike it’s showy, attention-grabbing cousin, Christmas, Easter arrives almost without warning, allowing for my absolute favourite thing - a spur-of-the-moment get-together.

Create a proper welcome

Always remember the areas that your guests will actually see, i.e. the entrance hall, kitchen and table, as well as the downstairs loo.

Fill your best vase with a heap of fresh tulips, burn a spring-scented candle and maybe position a glass jar filled with chocolate eggs for guests to delve into. I have this one from Fiona Finds. Lower lighting, as this creates an intimate feel and encourages everyone to relax.

Always delegate

Handing out small jobs to involve guests: Dressing salads, lighting candles or carving meat make everyone feel part of proceedings and avoid any newcomers feeling like a spare part. Every party needs a drinks topper upper, so choose someone sociable who will enjoy moving about and talking. Young children can be set to work handwriting place cards or individual menus for the other guests.

Whatever the occasion always allow yourself 15 minutes alone to change. Leave a friendly face in charge of opening the door/watching the children, and take a glass upstairs to sip as you touch up make up, remove your apron and change into lovelier shoes. Remember, hosting should never be about displaying martyrdom and guests will only feel as happy and at ease as their host.

A classic table

Crisp table linen adds a sense of occasion, and grouping miniature narcissi or short-stem daffodils down the table makes a clean and simple spring display.

If you’re short of space place these on a mantle or dresser. For a real wow factor, try hanging a foraged branch over the table {I find willow works well}, hung with glass tea lights on green ribbon.

Simple touches

Most guests appreciate simple, thoughtful gifts that they can keep, rather than anything lavish or expensive. Hand-painted eggshells with names brush-stroked on will sit beautifully on a little nest of moss at each place, or I recently bought these miniature glitter rabbits, also from Fiona Finds - ideal for propping up a miniature handwritten menu at each place - or grouped together on a mantlepiece.

For outdoor dining

Keep things simple, choosing dishes that are plentiful and delicious, rather than seeking to be overly impressive. It always helps to serve at least a few foods than can be eaten by hand - think marinated chicken legs rather than breasts, skewers of melon, mozzarella and parma ham or flavoursome chicken wraps.

For an outdoor table stick to natural textures - wood, linen and sheepskin, that tie-in with the surroundings. A linen runner suits a bare wooden table and potted herbs, or bowls of fresh limes look effortlessly elegant.

Sprigs of english eucalyptus threaded amongst glass hurricanes, provide a pared-back, stylish look and sheepskins over benches keep things cosy as the evening draws in. 

Why not hide some colourful foiled eggs in various corners of the garden, for children to enjoy seeking out when they get down from the table?

Whatever your dining style, remember that hosting is an act of love. It’s about sharing an experience, and memories are rarely reliant on a perfectly pressed tablecloth.

Wishing you a happy and restful Easter xx