How to Host an Easter Dinner

Easter dinner is traditionally a time when family gathers for a special meal and enjoys each other's company. Whether your dinner will be a religious celebration or a spring get-together, there are customary dishes to serve and ways to make your dinner a memorable event.

Instructions

1. Choose traditional Easter dishes to bring a sense of nostalgia to your dinner. Ham and lamb are the usual choices for the main course but side dishes and desserts can vary to suit family favorites or customs.

2. Include the guests in the cooking if you feel making the entire meal is too much work for the host. Plan to make the large, or cumbersome, items like the traditional ham and ask others to bring side dishes, a dessert or rolls.

3. Decorate with pastels. Dyed eggs are easy, make-ahead, items that look beautiful arranged in a basket for a centerpiece. Colored napkins and a nametag with a pretty bow will set the mood.

4. Host an egg hunt if children will be attending. Long an Easter tradition, hiding eggs for the youngsters is as much fun for the adults as finding them is for the kids. Provide a basket for each child that will attend and hide some healthy treats as well as the customary candy eggs.

5. Fashion a simple handmade corsage for each adult female who attends. A single orchid with ribbon wrapped around its stem and a small bow will make each recipient feel special.

6. Gather all the guests for a photo before they leave. Special holidays deserve special reminders. Send all the guests a thank you card for attending with a photograph to remind them in years to come.