Easter is one of my favorite holidays – bright and happy pastel colors, the excitement in my son’s eyes as he waits for the cue to start hunting for eggs, quality family-time and so much more! That’s why this blog is dedicated to providing inspiring ideas, tips and tricks throughout the week so you can prepare for Easter Sunday on April 16th.
Happy Easter to your family, from your friends at Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT!
Delightful Easter Decorations
If you have read any of my previous blogs then you can see a pattern…I love decorating my home for every single holiday – from Valentine’s Day to Christmas Day – and Easter is no exception.
Why do I love heart-glittered garland hanging from the fireplace mantel or Christmas pillows on every couch and chair in my house? I guess it’s because my mom decorated for every holiday when I was growing up. To me, when I decorate for a holiday, I become more immersed in it, which in turn creates happy memories with my friends and family.
Now, I don’t go “all out” when decorating for every holiday (besides Christmas which has its own dedicated storage unit), but simply incorporating a few accent pieces can go a long way. Check out these egg-cellent decorations to incorporate into your home for a festive Easter!
Trimming the Table
There’s no easier way to embellish your home for the holidays then dressing up your dining room table. From Easter plates, table runners and placemats, it’s easy to get your guests enthusiastic to celebrate Easter!
Sources:
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/nestler-vintage-bunny-melamine-egg-plates-set-of-4.do?&from=fn
https://www.pier1.com/easter-bunny-faces-salad-plate-set/3140840.html?cgid=pattern_dinnerware#nav=tile&icid=cat_dining_entertaining-subcat_dinnerware-subcat_tile_pattern_dinnerware&start=1
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Designs-Hippity-Applique-Runner/dp/B01MSVU5IC/ref=sr_1_55?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1490031324&sr=1-55&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A6806274011
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pasture-bunny-runner/?pkey=ceaster-entertaining&isx=0.0.2100
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2661976/celebrate-easter-together-cutout-bunny-placemat.jsp?prdPV=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/269837524/personalized-easter-placemat-kids?ref=market
Bunny Basics
Ever wondered how the Easter bunny came to be a symbol for Easter?
According to History.com, “The Bible makes no mention of a long-eared, short-tailed creature who delivers decorated eggs to well-behaved children on Easter Sunday; nevertheless, the Easter bunny has become a prominent symbol of Christianity’s most important holiday. The exact origins of this mythical mammal are unclear, but rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
With that information provided above, what is a well decorated home for Easter without an Easter bunny? Here are some adorable bunnies to help spruce up your spaces for the Easter holiday!
Sources:
https://www.pier1.com/tupper-the-natural-bunny-with-backpack-of-eggs/3155219.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=google_pla&s_cid=pla0000003&scid=scplp3155219&sc_intid=3155219&gclid=Cj0KEQjw-73GBRCC7KODl9zToJMBEiQAj1Jgf2UrMTVIsMzLp61xMhr1plB7I_7hJA4svtEMoXzy5CkaAogN8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/easter-bunnies/f73219
https://www.hobbylobby.com/Seasonal/Easter/Easter-Decorations/Natural-Straw-Standing-Boy-Bunny/p/80654607
https://www.jcpenney.com/jcpenney-home-moss-bunny-with-basket-figurine/prod.jump?ppId=ppr5007180939&catId=SearchResults&searchTerm=Easter%20decor
https://www.kirklands.com/product/Seasonal-Gifts/Easter-Decorations/Faux-Wicker-Bunny-Statue/productVariantId/186981/pc/2289/c/2464/196746.uts
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/brown-natural-fiber-bunnies-with-eggs-set-of-2.do?sortby=ourPicks
Pillow Prettify
When any of my friends ask me where to start in the overwhelming process of decorating for the holidays without spending a fortune, I respond to them with this one word tip…PILLOWS!
Throw pillows are the perfect accent to add some festive fare to any room, regardless of the holiday, and they won’t break the bank. Plus, it is very fun to shop for them and search for the perfect pillow. In fact, you can actually create a family-tradition where you add a new Easter pillow to your collection each year. Grab the family and make a fun outing to pick out the perfect pillow! Need some ideas of where to start your search? Check out these ideas below:
Sources:
https://www.kirklands.com/product/Seasonal-Gifts/Easter-Decorations/Multi-Color-Bunny-Pom-Pom-Pillow/pc/2289/c/2464/196748.uts
https://www.target.com/p/bunny-throw-pillow-18-threshold/-/A-51526037
https://www.wayfair.com/Nantucket-Bound-Bunnies-Sunbrella-Lumbar-Pillow-NANT1108.html?piid%5B0%5D=20288471
https://www.steinmart.com/product/garden+bunny+decorative+pillow+-+16%22+58524273.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&page=3
Easter Family Fun
Just like other holidays, Easter is a time to be spent with friends and family. With that said, it can be challenging to find an activity that captures the interest (and attention) of my 4-year old son and my 84-year old grandmother enjoys. Here are some family-fun activities that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age.
Easter Bunny Ball Toss Activity
Use a huge carton-box and make it into the Easter bunny shape. Leave a big fan-shaped hole and glue its tongue from red-painted cardboard. Stand five feet from the Easter Bunny carton and throw colorful balls toward it. Count how many balls you can throw in.
Source: https://hative.com/fun-easter-activities-and-games-for-kids/
Thankful Jar
As family or guests arrive, have them write what they are thankful for and drop it in a clear jar or vase. Grab some pastel construction paper and cut different Easter shapes (Easter egg, bunny rabbit, carrot, etc.) for guests to write on. Before mealtime, gather everyone to read them aloud.
Source: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/69972/50-easter-celebration-ideas
Egg in Spoon Relay Race
This is a great game for the grown-ups to participate along with the kids. All the players are divided into two teams and each team is then divided into two groups – one at point A and one at point B. The first player is given an egg in a spoon to carry it from point A to point B. At that point the egg and spoon are handed off to the next competitor, who carries it back to point A to the next competitor. If the player drops the egg, he/she must go back to where they started from. The first team to complete the relay wins.
*Tip: Use hard-boiled eggs unless you are willing to sacrifice a couple dozen eggs and time cleaning the floor or lawn!
Source: https://carainternational.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/easter-egg-games-your-children-will-enjoy-playing/
Tasty Easter Treats
Regardless if you are the hostess or the hosted for Easter lunch or dinner, check out these recipes for Easter-inspired appetizers and desserts! Planning to host a large crowd? Plan your guest list and menu in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to keep organized, as well as reference when making place cards.
Easter Appetizers
Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts
Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee
Total Time: 50 minutes Active: 15 minutes Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups frozen chopped onions, thawed
1 tablespoon sugar
Kosher salt
4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
1 large egg
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1 (14-ounce) box refrigerated pie crust
Directions
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, add the oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions, sugar and salt, to taste. Cook until the onions begin to brown. Adjust the heat to low and cook slowly, turning often, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the onions from the heat and set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a bowl combine the goat cheese, egg, cream and thyme. Pour the mixture into a small resealable plastic food storage bag. Snip off a corner of the bag to use it for piping.
Lay the pie crusts out flat on a clean surface and with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter cut out 12 circles from each crust. Press them into the cups of the mini-muffin tin. Fill each cup 1/2 way with the cooled onions. Pipe the cheese mixture on top of the onions, filling the cups. Bake the tarts until the filling is set, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let the tarts cool slightly, and then remove them from the muffin tin and serve.
Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/caramelized-onion-and-goat-cheese-tarts-recipe
Buttered Radish Tartines
Recipe courtesy of Cooking Light
Hands-on Time: 18 minutes Total Time: 18 minutes Yield: Serves 8 (serving size: 2 tartines)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (preferably a good French butter)
1 tablespoon chopped black olives (such as niçoise)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Dash of crushed red pepper
16 (1/4-ounce) slices whole-grain French bread baguette
8 to 10 radishes, very thinly sliced
1/8 teaspoon fleur de sel or other coarse sea salt
Directions
Place butter, olives, parsley, thyme and red pepper in a small bowl; mash with a spoon to combine. Spread butter mixture evenly over bread slices; top with radish slices. Sprinkle with sea salt. Serve immediately.
Source: https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/buttered-radish-tartines
Easter Desserts
Pound Cake With Oranges, Honey and Rosemary
Recipe courtesy of Real Simple
Hands-on Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Serves: 6
Ingredients
4 oranges
2 tablespoons honey
1 10- to 12-ounce pound cake, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
Directions
- Cut away the peel and pith of the oranges and cut out the segments. In a medium bowl, gently combine them with the honey.
- Spoon the oranges over the cake and sprinkle with the rosemary before serving.
Source: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pound-cake-oranges-honey-rosemary
PHILADELPHIA Easter Mini Cheesecakes
Recipe courtesy of Kraft
Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 3 hours | 20 minutes Servings: 18
Ingredients
3 packages (8 ounces each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, toasted
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
54 speckled malted milk eggs (about 9 ounces)
Directions
- Heat oven to 325°F.
- Mix graham crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups.
- Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
- Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon coconut; shape to resemble bird’s nest. Fill with malted milk eggs.
Source: https://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/philadelphia-easter-mini-cheesecakes-174451.aspx