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My Top 5 Holiday Entertaining Tips

by on ‎04-02-2014 10:49 AM

Maybe it’s the promise of sunshine in the air. Maybe it’s the glimpses of green peeking out of the thawing earth. Maybe it’s just the fact that I’ll forever be a kid at heart. But when I think of springtime entertaining, I just want to PLAY!


And the holiday table is my playground {#emotions_dlg.biggrin} Because I’m never just serving up food. I’m sharing love and laughter with the people who mean the most to me. And I want them to look forward to sitting down at my table as a chance to relax, unwind, enjoy…and play! So here are my top 5 tips to keep your Easter and Passover entertaining fun and festive.


Easter Egg


1.  The Name Game – There’s nothing like that special feeling you get when someone makes something just for you. That’s why I always make an extra effort to make place settings super special and personalized.


Growing up, when we dyed Easter eggs, we always personalized them with each guest’s name (simply write it on the hard-boiled egg with a white or yellow crayon before you dye it). Then we made the egg the place “card” at each setting.


These days, I go the extra step and find special ways to feature the eggs in my place settings. Not only is it a great way to welcome your guests, it’s a great excuse to spend some time on Pinterest, looking for ideas!


2.  Keep it Fun – As I’ve said, meals are never just about the food! I always have some ideas for fun mealtime activities in my back pocket. Perfect for those moments where everyone is having a good time and no one wants to leave the table.


Those personalized eggs? They are great for something called the Egg Game (which I learned from my dear grandmother, Maria). That’s where you knock or tap your egg into someone else’s. The goal is to crack their egg while yours stays intact. You’d be surprised how long this game can keep a roomful of guests entertained! Best of all, it’s truly fun for all ages. And my grandmother Maria won a lot!


 


Flower Power Mugs




3.  Flower Power – Especially after a winter like this one, springtime entertaining is the perfect opportunity to incorporate flowers into your tablescape.I always like to find fun and unexpected ways to do that. Like arranging mini bouquets in a trio of mugs down the center of the table (Bonus: The low profile means you can easily converse with all your guests, instead of craning around a tall centerpiece.)


When fresh flowers aren’t available, I’ll place a block of floral foam into a temp-tations baker, then arrange silk flowers in it, accented with a few springtime accents. Best of all, you can lift out the floral foam arrangement when you’re done, and re-use them year after year.


Traditions


4.  Celebrate traditions, old and new – In my family, my mother always made a braided Easter Bread for the holiday, placing dyed eggs into the loaf before it baked for a festive and delicious finished product. It still earns a place of honor on my holiday table. You have probably even seen me show it on air.


But not all traditions are handed down from generation to generation. Close friends of mine started a new tradition recently of building matzo bread houses (like gingerbread houses) at their Passover table. What started out as a way to keep the kids busy has turned into a tradition everyone enjoys!


5.  Play with your food – We’re always telling kids not to do this, but it’s one lesson I’m glad I never learned! Smiley Wink I’m always looking for ways to incorporate playful, edible, beautiful things into my holiday table décor.


Sometimes, I go straight for cute, like these adorable Bunny Race Cars. I got the idea from the Peeps website, and they were a huge hit at my Easter table last year. My god children especially love them!


Peeps Racecars 


But edible accents can just as easily be elegant. Like these sweet little birds nest cupcakes. You can find the recipe and instructions here.


Birds Nest Cupcakes


I hope I’ve given you some festive food for thought! So let me know what you’re thinking … Chime in below to tell me what your plans are for a playful spring holiday table. I am always on the lookout for new ideas and traditions…especially from my nistas!


XOXO


Tara