How To Plan The Perfect Family Gathering

When we think of Easter, we think of gathering with loved ones, celebrating the start of spring – and eating food. Lots of food. If you're hosting a large family gathering, the thought of Easter catering for so many people can be overwhelming. However, we’re here to help you hatch a plan to make this a memorable and stress-free festive occasion everyone will enjoy (including you).

Create the guest list

The first step in planning a large Easter family gathering is to determine the number of guests you'll be hosting. This will help you to figure out the amount of food and supplies you'll need to feed everyone, whether you need to cater to any specific dietary requirements, and what activities or entertainment (if any) you should plan for the day.

Choose a venue

Next, you'll need to decide on the perfect venue. If you have a large backyard or patio, this could be the ideal location for your Easter gathering. If you’re short on space, you could also consider setting up in a picnic spot or gazebo at a park. Check first to see if the spot you like is bookable through the park itself, or if you need to get there early to secure your desired spot. Whether at home or out, just make sure you have options for shade, and definitely have a rain backup!

Plan the menu

When planning how best to cater for a large Easter family breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, it's important to keep in mind that everyone has different tastes and dietary restrictions. Consider offering a mix of traditional Easter dishes, such as devilled eggs, ham and roasted vegetables, as well as a variety of side dishes, such as potatoes, bread, and salads, and possibly a kids’ menu too. Don't forget to offer plenty of drinks, including non-alcoholic options for those who prefer them or are driving.

Order or cook the food

Once you've planned the menu, you can either get on the pots and pans yourself, or order it from a caterer. If you're cooking the food yourself, consider recruiting some family members to help with the preparation and cooking to make the process less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

If you prefer to spend the time relaxing with your loved ones, as one of the best Easter caterers across Sydney and Melbourne, we have plenty of breakfast, lunch or dinner options, as well as a bespoke Easter catering menu of gorgeous sweet Easter-themed treats (and yes even if this is a morning gathering, breakfast dessert at Easter is definitely allowed!).

A surefire crowd-pleaser, our Easter Doughnut Platter features chocolate coconut nest egg doughnuts, carrot doughnuts with matcha tea sponge and egg plaque doughnuts.

Our Easter Brownie Platter is a must for any sweet tooth, with its cute raspberry and white chocolate brownies in the shape of Easter eggs, while our Hot Cross Bun Platter comes with three different gourmet flavours: chocolate, rhubarb crumble; chocolate, raspberry and pistachio; and chocolate, green tea sponge, raspberry, all served with delicious Pepe Saya butter, Nutella and jam.

Or why not get the best of all worlds and create a dessert station with our Easter Treats Platter, which not only includes all three flavours of doughnuts, all three flavours of hot cross bun plus the condiments, the raspberry and white chocolate brownies, but also delicious dark chocolate pots, with coconut, lemon myrtle and pineapple pannacotta.

Decorate

When it comes to decorating for your spring-themed soiree, keep in mind that it's Easter, so aim for bright and cheerful colours. You can use pastel tablecloths, floral arrangements, Easter egg centrepieces and a light, upbeat music playlist to create a festive atmosphere. If you’re in a park or other public outdoor area, just ensure you leave your location as pristine as you found it.

Add special touches

To make your Easter family gathering extra special, consider adding some festive, fun or thoughtful touches, such as an Easter egg scavenger hunt for the kids, an egg dyeing or painting activity, a gift exchange or a small Easter basket for each member of the family. And of course, make sure you take a family photo to commemorate the occasion!

In conclusion, hosting a large Easter family gathering doesn’t have to be stressful, and can actually be a joyful and memorable experience. With a little planning and preparation, you can ensure everyone has a blast, leaves with full bellies and smiles on their faces, and that the day goes off without a hitch. Happy Easter!

Ordering Easter catering in Sydney or Melbourne for your family gathering lets you concentrate on the fun (and chocolate)! Make this Easter egg-cellent – Get in touch now to discuss how we can help.