3 Steps to Create Your Easter Table

Now that you have planned the menu, done the shopping and cleaned the house it’s time to create your Easter table for your dinner.

A centerpiece can really make a table feel special, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it doesn’t need to take hours to complete. I have spent more time searching Pinterest to find a centerpiece idea than it has actually taken me to create my own simple and fun centerpieces.

At my house, we have a narrow table, therefore, our centerpiece cannot be very large.  In my opinion, the centerpiece also needs to be short or at least narrow if it will be tall.  I have a pet peeve about tall centerpieces that I’m unable to see through to talk to someone on the other side of the table.  I have sat at countless tables where I’ve actually had to move a centerpiece just to carry on a conversation. Therefore, when I plan a centerpiece it needs to be short or narrow, if tall. And by narrow I mean taper candles and candlesticks.

1. Create your Table’s Centerpiece

1. Table top space: When you create your centerpiece think about how much space you’re able to give up on your table. You don’t want to create a large centerpiece and then have everyone at the table feel crowded. As I mentioned, we have a narrow table so I try to keep my centerpieces narrow. We need room on the table for the plates and glasses.
2. Who will be sitting at the table? If you’ll have all adults sitting at the table you can create a more elegant centerpiece.  However, if you have children joining you at the table it is fun to create something more appealing to them.
3. Decorate in odd numbers.  This rule applies for any decorating. It’s just gives it a balance.  This can be done in multiple ways. If you have 2 taper candlesticks you can put something small between them.  You’ll see below how I used the magic number of 3 items in my centerpiece.
4. Add different heights to your centerpiece.  You don’t want everything to be the exact same height.
5. Don’t make your centerpiece too tall.  I know I said add height, but be reasonable.  Sit down at your table and decide how high you can go before it’s uncomfortable to see the person sitting across from you.  So much can be created that is about 6-9 inches high.

This year I’m using what I already had on hand for our centerpiece. Like most people I have boxes full of Christmas items, but I also keep containers for all other theme parties I have hosted, holidays and seasons. This way nothing goes to waste and I don’t have to buy things over and over again for the same event. I always try to recycle my decorations. As you can see here, this is my Easter container.

Since our table will be filled with adults and children ages 1 year to 16 years old I decided to create something that was simple and more kid friendly.

I’m planning to fill the eggs with some sort of treat and the kids can take whichever egg they want after dinner to find a surprise.

Let’s look at the design

• I created 3 focal points
• There ear 3 eggs on either side of the basket
• Adding a little height with the basket makes the centerpiece more interesting
• I used things I already had on hand to save time shopping and money.

How it was created

• I used a small, narrow platter and placed green paper grass all over it
• Add in the 2 bunches of 3 eggs
• I used a small basket I had in my container and placed it in the middle
• The only item that is new this year is the candy eggs in the basket, I’m sure our guests will appreciate that!

This is simple, colorful and does not take up much space on the table. It is also interactive since the kids will be able to take an egg at the end of the dinner and I’m sure people will take the candy too.

2. Setting the Table

Setting a table can be a little confusing so I am going to break it down a bit for you.

If you are serving the meal at the table you can set the full table before your guests arrive. This can ease any stress over setting a table.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I sit down at a very fancy set table I immediately think of two things.

1. Julie Roberts in Pretty Woman. She has a full lesson on which fork to use for each course. And then, of course, the “slippery little sucker” comment when she is at the fancy dinner.
2. Kelly Rippa once shared on Live that if you hold your index finger to your thumb on each hand you see a “b” and a “d”. Your left hand makes the “b” therefore, the bread plate goes on that side and your right hand makes the “d” so your drinks are on the right side. Brilliant! I swear when I sit down at a table set for 10 people that really only comfortably holds 8 and I am bombarded with small plates and drink glasses of every type I make the “b” and “d” on my lap. Then I know which plate belongs to me and, more importantly, which glass of wine is mine!

Back to your table setting…

Place the dinner plate down first. Then you can arrange the silverware, plates and glasses around the dinner plate.

Serving a buffet? You can still place everything else on the table besides the dinner plate.

If you are not using napkin rings you can fold the napkin and place it to the left of the forks. Since our space is limited, it is easier for me to place the napkin on the plate. I also love napkin rings so this shows it off to all the guests.

As you can see, I do not have an Easter tablecloth or Easter napkins. I simply invest in table clothes that can be used for the season. To mix it up a little, I buy 4 each of a couple different colors of napkins. For spring, I have 4 pink, 4 yellow and 4 peach colored napkins. This way I can mix them between the settings and it adds a little pop of color at each seat.

3. Napkin Folding

There are so many ways to fold napkins. In fact, years ago, I received a book all about napkin folds.  I have tried several of them over the years. For this table setting, I am doing my “go-to” napkin fold. Mostly because it is super simple, fast and as I mentioned, I love napkin rings! It also helps to use this technique when your napkins may be a little less than perfectly smooth, in other words, it has wrinkles. I don’t like to iron so I’m not going to take the time to iron out wrinkles on a piece of material someone is going to wipe food from their face onto! Call me crazy!

To create this look:

1st place the napkin on a flat surface

2nd grab a hold of the middle of the napkin and pull upwards

3rd shake it a little so it all comes together

4th slide the napkin ring down over the center

5th place on plate or table and fluff if needed

 

Done!

Now, you have created your Easter table. Your centerpiece is completed, the table is set and your napkins are folded. If you’re able to, fully set your table the day before Easter. This will allow you more time on Easter to prepare the main meal and not stress about the table. Hoppy Entertaining!