My *easy* Easter table

Simple but effective, my favourite way. Happy Easter!

This post contains some ad/gifted items.

I’m going to go out on a whim and say that most of us don’t eat at the dining table each day. As much as the intent might be there. While the kids might munch their beans or pesto pasta there, my meals are often sofa bound after their bedtime with either trash tele on or no tele at all to bask in the quiet.

The dining table gets lots of use each day, don’t get me wrong. The PVA glue streaks and accidental crayon marks are testament to that. At weekends, brunches and dinners are family affairs with setting the table a ‘job’ that’s still fun, although let’s see how long that lasts. A quick scatter of table mats, coasters and cutlery and it’s done.

But when it comes to an occasion, I’m all game for a tablescape. Pinterest boards, I’m here for them. Seasonal decor, yes please. The caveat: it has to be easy. The likelihood of it being messed with in an instant is high.

I like to serve ‘family style’ with platters in the middle for people to help themselves so there needs to be space to pop dishes. And I like to be able to see across the table so tall, obstructive centrepieces are a no thank you.

For Easter, I’ve kept things simple, but still creative. A colour palette of greens and some pastels, with a scattering of eggs.

The starting point was my focal point twig tree, which I saved from the garden when the silver birch there was pruned during winter. ‘That will make a great Easter tree,’ I said, stashing it in the BBQ for safe keeping (true story). And a great Easter tree it makes too. You don’t need to spend to get seasonal home updates, just look around you and try something out. I added some hanging egg decorations that I’ve had and reused for years. They were originally from Home Bargains so a couple of quid with an excellent cost per use thus far. The padding in the vase came from a hamper, in keeping with the reuse theme.

A couple of candlesticks with candles from Søstrene Grene keep with the pastel theme without being too ‘sickly’ pastel which isn’t really my bag. I’ve used wood, glazed ceramics and a mix and match combination of crockery with smoked glass tumblers to add a modern edge. Plus fluffy bunny ears – because why not? Last year I found Easter crackers at John Lewis which was a novel addition, despite comments of ‘crackers…for Easter?’. Again, why not?

With a beige-toned tablecloth and matching mats, the neutral base for the tablescape is ideal for adding spring-time colour, as well as hiding aforementioned PVA and crayon. I also like to mix the patterns so you’ll see scalloped edge side plates (Primark, bought last year) on top of green dinner platesm from La Redoute, alongside the lovely striped ceramic handle cutlery I got as a gift from Procook recently. They’ve become a firm favourite and, of course, I’m not only saving them for best.

Each place setting is slightly different with a varied choccy egg and a mix of napkins – I’ve gone with paper ones for ultimate ease, but the colours and patterns of these George At Asda ones are not to be sniffed at. Easy clearing up is a luxury if you’ve been cooking and serving a feast. I also really like Søstrene Grene for napkins too, they always have a lovely selection to jazz up the most basic of get togethers. I’ve unfolded each napkin and placed it between the side plate and main plate to elevate the setting. A nice alternative to a folded triangle popped on top.

The twiggy tree forms one of this Easter trio: papier mache eggs (given to me by a relative who didn’t want them anymore) in one of the kids egg hunt baskets from last year (again a gift from a friend) and a little wooden bunny. All of these things live in my seasonal box in the garage when not in use and I take great delight in delving into my stash when the time calls.

Despite busy lives now meaning those all-around-the-table mealtimes don’t happen as often as we might like, I do love making the table the star of the show when occasions come around. It’s fun to plan and piece together the bits that will style up the space, especially when putting things to use that I already have or have found a new, creative use for. What I like is that you can be inspired by those Pinterest wow-factor tablescapes with affordable, easy to do and easy to clear away (essential) ideas that still look the part and wow guests and bring you joy (also essential). Add a few seasonal flourishes and experiment with a different colours through napkins or candles and, really, it’s as easy (and affordable) as that. The dining table has it’s time to shine.