8 Tips for Hosting Your First Easter Dinner Stress Free

Easter dinner is one of the biggest, most important family meals of the year in many homes.  If you are hosting your family’s Easter dinner for the first time; it may seem a little daunting!  From the guest list and menu planning to the grocery shopping, meal preparation, decorations, activities, and the dreaded cleanup duties—the Easter dinner host has a lot of responsibilities.  There are a few ways to host your first Easter dinner without a lot of stress and exhaustion.  Here are 8 tips for hosting a stress free Easter dinner even if it is your first time hosting.

Keep the guest list manageable.  While you may really want to invite all of your cousins, their extended families, and even a few extra friends and neighbors—it is best to keep the guest list in check—especially for your first Easter dinner.  Take a realistic look at your living space and the available space for seating for the meal.  If you have room for 15—do not invite 25. 

Know your guests' dietary needs.  Consider the dietary needs of your guests as well as you plan your meal.  Will you be hosting vegetarians?  Is anyone gluten-free?  Allergic to nuts?  Allergic to shellfish? Knowing these details will help you avoid stressful surprises--and ensure that you have something available for everyone to eat—even if every dish isn’t suitable for everyone.

Keep decorations simple.  Spring flowers make the perfect centerpiece for Easter—as do colored Easter eggs.  Pastel colors, lacy tablecloths, and fresh flowers uplift everyone’s mood for the season—and are often readily available in the days leading up to Easter.

Accept those offers of help.  When a guest asks what they should bring—tell them!  Too many hosts feel that they must carry the entire Easter dinner burden alone.  Honestly, simply offering the location for the gallery is welcomed by most of your guests—and they are likely more than willing to provide a dish or drinks to help out.

Remember that 100% Homemade is not really necessary.  There is no rule that the Easter dinner host must spend day and night in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove or serving as a sous chef.  I have a couple of “signature”, homemade dishes that I make every Easter—my deviled eggs and my Grandma’s secret Potato Salad Recipe.  I do not spend hours creating the perfect ham—I buy one from HoneyBakedHam.

They have assorted sizes available—and they are always prepared perfectly (and are photogenic!)—and stress-free.  I also buy a turkey breast since I have a few guests who prefer turkey—and I rarely have time to roast ham and a turkey for Easter!  

This year—I am even replacing my “secret” potato salad with the Loaded Baked Potato Salad from HoneyBaked Ham.  When you find products that are high quality and convenient—there is no reason to spend time making your own from scratch!

Plan ahead for easy cleanup.  Even if you are not a fan of disposable party supplies for an Easter dinner—you can still prepare for easier, after dinner cleanup duties.  Keep the kitchen clean as you prepare the meal—washing dishes and putting them away as you go, make sure the dishwasher is unloaded and ready for loading immediately following dinner, and remember that it is okay to accept a little help in the clean-up phase from your guests.  

Take some of the party outdoors.  We always have an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids—and sometimes for the grownups too.  Sending everyone outside for an activity gives the host a few minutes to tidy up a little, collect his or her thoughts a bit, or even prepare for dessert without everyone underfoot.  Of course, given that Spring is “mud season” in many locations—outdoor activities may not be possible.  If that’s the case—move the party to another area of the house for a bit while you reorganize and prepare for the next activity.

Plan a dessert buffet.  Most of your guests will probably offer to bring a dessert—or will if asked.  Desserts are easy to prepare ahead and generally do not need to be kept refrigerated or warm for travel.  

A dessert buffet offers a little something for everyone—and you are not stuck in the kitchen making cakes, pies, and cookies.  If my guests do not supply the dessert offerings—I pick up a Dessert Sampler tray from HoneyBaked Ham. 

Cookies, cheesecake slices, and slices of cake are always a hit—and I can order as few servings as 7 or as many as I need.

Hosting your first Easter dinner may seem overwhelming—but, it is really simply a chance to open your home and your heart to a gathering of family and friends in celebration of the day.  Relax.  With a little planning—the day and the meal will be wonderful!

This post was sponsored by HoneyBaked Ham in 2015.  All of the tips, opinions, and ideas presented; however, are my own.