Easter is my favorite time as a grandparent and parent. As an expert in dining etiquette classes for adults and children, I like tradition and combining festive décor with a spiritual focus. This is a special, holy season when families and friends come together to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It is a time for all to gather and celebrate with worship. In this blog post, I will share my etiquette tips for how to host a joyous Easter brunch.
Easter Etiquette for Hosts
Inform guests and family members about your menu and ask them to submit any dietary restrictions to you beforehand. This is the way to avoid dietary disasters.
Invite all friends and relatives to attend worship service with you before the brunch. Most of the time, they will be thrilled to be included, even if they are not of the same faith.
Try to think of those who might not have a family member to celebrate Easter with and invite them to your table. Invite a new family or a neighbor to celebrate Easter with your family.
Create a beautiful table for all to see as they enter your home. Your home should be decorated to express excitement for this joyous event. Consider using Easter lilies and pastel colors.
Prepare the table with place cards at each setting to help the brunch go more smoothly. Print out the Easter Story (The Menu of Hope) and have a copy at each place setting along with a printed menu of the food. Make any food you can ahead of time (lamb, ham, quiches, fruit salads etc) to minimize stress as you host the event
Greet and direct all guests at the door. Offer hors d’oeuvres and lavender lemonade. As guests arrive, consider giving out small Easter baskets.
Children’s Etiquette
Brief all children about the event – where, when and what. Children can only act as well as they are trained and directed with love. Set up an Easter craft station for children. Have coloring sheets and, perhaps, a table set up to decorate eggs. Remember, planned activities produce well-behaved children. Assign jobs so children can help the adults, which will make them feel included and special.
Celebrate Your Faith
Incorporate faith-based activities into your event, such as reading the story of the resurrection or playing Easter music. When all have gathered at the table, start the Easter celebration with prayer. If you have non-Christian guests in attendance, ask them to pause for a time of gratitude.
Focus on an intentional sharing time together. Start by making a list of 10 things you are thankful for and give each guest a piece of paper to do the same. This puts everyone in a mindset of gratitude. Then, give time for old and young to share about the meaning of Easter. Grandma and Grandpa have a world of wisdom. Explain to your children the importance of listening to the wisdom of those who have lived life.
Easter Attire
Wear your best, preferably in pastel colors. Men should wear a suit and tie or dress their best. A corsage is a nice added touch for an outfit. Ladies should wear a dress. We dress up to respect the cause or the people we encounter daily. Easter is a time to pause, give thanks and show respect by dressing in our best clothes.
Easter Etiquette for Guests
Bring a gift. It is always polite to bring a small hostess gift. After Easter, send a Thank You note to the person or relative who hosted you. Yes, it’s always appropriate to send a handwritten Thank You note, even to relatives.
Buffet Etiquette
Buffet-style food makes the meal easy for all to enjoy. When going through the buffet line, remember the following etiquette tips…
- Handle with Care – Use serving tongs or spoons. Never touch the food on a buffet table with your hands. Always watch your children to make sure they do not handle the food.
- No Double-Dipping – If you pick up a piece of food, do not put it back.
- Use a Fresh Plate – Always grab a clean plate for your second trip to the buffet.
- Be Situationally Aware of Portions – Do not take all the “best food.”
- Move Efficiently – Do not linger in the line.
- Safety First – Do not sneeze or cough over food.
Sample Easter Menu
- Main Dish – A leg of lamb with mint jelly, or a traditional Easter ham.
- Sides – Fruit salad, deviled eggs, green beans, potato salad, couscous salad with peppers, mashed potatoes.
- Treats – Easter cookies from Stein’s Bakery. Or, bake mini rabbit cookies. Serve cheese straws as well.
- Dessert – Coconut cake, carrot cake, carrot cake muffins.
- Drinks – Lavender lemonade, iced tea, coffee.
Easter Egg Hunt Etiquette
- Pair young children with grandparents…this will be a time of joy for all! This is the perfect time for establishing a bond.
- Keep an eye open for those who may struggle with clues on how to find eggs. Come to their assistance.
- Always save a few extra eggs for those who get left out.
- Fill some of your eggs with small toys, erasers or gum. Keep the candy to a minimum.
- After the egg hunt is over, gather all the children and ask the children who have the most eggs to share with those who may not have found many eggs.
Easter egg hunts are for all ages! For older children, give out a written sheet of clues that will direct him/her to the eggs. Prep your eggs ahead of time and stuff with items that older children would enjoy.
Closing Notes
As we approach this celebration of hope, joy and life, take time to fill your spirit with gratitude. Prepare your mind for this holy season and exhibit a servant’s heart…whether you are hosting or attending an Easter brunch. Maintain a servant’s heart as you let the light of Easter shine through your actions and words. Happy Easter!
Talk to an Expert for Dallas Dining Etiquette Classes for Your Family
In her social skills and dining etiquette classes, Lisa helps her Dallas-area students to minimize any fear and anxiety they might have in social environments. When demands come, students should be empowered with the skills needed to handle themselves with confidence and a positive self-image.
Lisa Burdette offers private and group dining etiquette classes, and has successfully helped many individuals with polishing their professional image and increasing their personal confidence at work, in school and in their personal lives. In addition, Lisa has worked with corporate clients such as the Toyota Corporation, Charles Covey, Hotel Drover and others to assist with workplace etiquette training and workshops.
Ready to book a private etiquette session or dining etiquette classes for your employees? Reach out via our Contact page or Book Online and request your session with Lisa today!
