10 of Our Favorite Ideas for Celebrating Easter with Your Loved Ones

The turning back of the clock signals longer days, warmer weather, and the approach of one of spring's most treasured and festive holidays—yes, Easter! Easter Sunday represents that time of the year when family and friends come together to celebrate renewal and fresh starts, and it also proves to be the perfect opportunity for a lively spring fête socially-distanced or with your quarantine pod due to COVID-19.

Thoughts of Easter spring to mind images of bunnies, baskets, eggs, and irresistible eats—all ingredients for a gathering loaded with lots of fun, memories made, and tasty treats to feast on. If you've decided to celebrate the holiday this year with an intimate guest list, you might want to consider planning an Easter party with decorations, menus, activities, and gifts for all to make the occasion feel special. For the modern hostess, we have lots of creative party themes: egg-decorating extravaganzas, kid-friendly crafternoons, bring-your-own basket swaps (that is, BYOB), and adorable pet parades. For the truly traditional hostess, we have fresh takes on beloved classics: Easter egg hunts, family brunches, and basket exchanges. Do you know a mother-to-be? Combine occasions by planning a small baby shower that's inspired by a springtime classic—Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit"—in her honor. (Seeing the tiered cake will be enough for the idea to win you over.)

Our themed parties appeal to guests of all ages, and offer alternatives to the ways in which you may have celebrated Easter in the past. With Easter Sunday coming soon, we've got some great ideas on how you can create a celebration that all will enjoy and remember.

Wish winter goodbye and head outdoors for some much-welcomed sun and fun by way of an Easter egg hunt. Folks young and old can enjoy the enormous joy that comes with finding hidden egg treasure and turning in their scores for great prizes and delicious sweet treats. Plus, it's a safe, socially-distanced way to mark the holiday.

The family brunch is a given, but what about a special occasion for select adults and kids? This "mommy and me" party offers two tables: one for moms and one for young guests, catering to both ages and fun for all.

Hop on over to this celebration based on the stories by Beatrix—the celebrated children's author who brought Peter Rabbit to the world—with a farm fresh menu, spring greenery, and charming decorations that look great outdoors. 

Cookie swaps are popular for the winter holiday season, but you could easily make this a springtime tradition, too. Bake a batch of plain sugar cookies to share in a socially-distanced way among guests, provide the royal icing and edible glitter, dust, and sprinkles for them to decorate, and encourage them to bring their own recipe for sharing with the group. To make it COVID-friendly, drop off decorated cookies with loved ones to enjoy on their own, or set up a virtual call for everyone to bake together.

The candy for Easter is so festive and adorable, it really needs its own presentation. You really don't need to bake a bunch of desserts, instead make just one or two main desserts and then add in Easter candy like jelly beans, marshmallows, chocolate eggs and bunnies.

Easter bunnies are fabled to bring chocolate eggs and delectable candy on the morning of Easter Sunday, so host a bunny-themed celebration. Kids will love bunny-themed costumes with floppy ears and whiskers, plus tables decorated with bunny folded napkins, bunny-shaped cookies, and more.

No Easter celebration is complete without you know what—eggs by the dozen. But Easter calls for not just any old eggs, but bright and bold oval-shaped creations adorned with eye-catching colors and creative applications that give gorgeous optics.

Martha hosts a brunch most years, buffet-style. For yours, all of the items on your menu are—you guessed it—made of eggs! Dishes to consider are hard-boiled or fried eggs, egg-baked pasta, veggie-filled frittatas, eggs in a basket, egg salad (or egg salad finger sandwiches), soufflés, and endless pies and pastries.

Instead of having Easter baskets at the ready, corral adults and children alike to create fun, festive baskets for a lovely afternoon—rain or shine. 

Take advantage of Easter's springtime festivities with fresh blooms in small, petite vases made from egg shells.