Remember when Easter was just that holiday with the (hard-boiled) egg hunt and chocolate bunnies? Yeah, me too. But that all changed when my sister Story went to visit a friend in Houston and came home raving about their epic Easter party. Inspired by their fun entertaining ideas, we gave our Easter a major makeover. And just like that, our annual Easter party was born, transforming a once ho-hum holiday into a festive celebration.

Then, life threw a curveball—we lost my nephew, Alan, the soul of our Easter. The tragedy stripped away part of our holiday spirit. We hit pause, grieving. It took years, but those happy memories? They nudged me to reboot and entertain the family here in Dallas—now dubbed Easter 2.0. Fast forward, and it’s no longer just the five siblings; but our kids and their kids. It’s our annual family reunion, uniting the whole gang…weekend festival style.

The Roots – How it all began

• Mama’s House in Vicksburg—the OG! (1985): Baby Alan was the star.
• Lauri, my older sister, makes her first appearance in the bunny suit.
• Invites: A casual heads-up to family and friends.
• Party Timing: Begins around 4pm, after church, lunch, and a quick nap.
• Pre-Party: Teens gather the night before to stuff the eggs.
• Egg Hunt: Ranges from easy finds to Easter eggs discovered in August.
• The Scene: A backyard bash, complete with margaritas by Uncle Vaughn.
• Grub: A laid-back spread, from artichokes to ambrosia, with no fancy dishes allowed.
• Wear What Ya Like: Attire ranges from Sunday best to comfy casuals.
• Expect Any Weather: We’ve celebrated in sunshine and rain.
• Grandparent VIPs: Special seating for the best views.
• All About Fun: The day included everything from piñatas to patio dancing with a local band.

A Dallas Revival – Easter 2.0 

We dialed up the fun by stretching the festivities across an entire weekend. This makes room for more fun and family time. From Friday night through Sunday, it’s an Easter marathon. It’s an event I look forward to hosting all year long. 

The highlights?

Tablescapes: Our Easter Aesthetic

Before we jump into the cornhole triumphs and food spreads, let’s pause and pay homage to the scene-setter of any party—the decor. As someone who breathes design, creating an enchanting tablescape for each meal was as crucial to me as the menu.

This year, I went for a unique twist:

Dangling Florals: Above our three 60″ round tables, flowers seemed to float effortlessly above, thanks to a nifty rod setup directly connected to the tables. Such an unexpected twist to the floral decor.

Birds of a Feather: This Easter, I sidestepped the bunny route for something less expected—birds. Why? Because a touch of bunny goes a loooong way, and we needed our tables ready for both the Friday fiesta and the Saturday pig pull. Birds didn’t just adorn our centerpieces (bird nests brimming with florals) but also brought a cohesive theme to the weekend.

Detailing the Differences: Though the coral block print tablecloth remained a constant throughout the weekend, the ingenuity was in the details—different placemats, napkins, plates, rings, and glasses at each meal, with each table flaunting its own unique flair.

Setting the tables wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a backdrop that created an enchanted garden vibe. And yes, for those craving more on how these outdoor tablescapes came to life, stay tuned for a dedicated post filled with tips, tricks, and a sprinkle of design ingenuity.

Cornhole Tournament

An activity that gets everyone involved in the action. The benefits of the tournament? It bridges generations, epitomizes our family dynamics with a mix of rivalry and team spirit, concluding in a much-anticipated final showdown for the coveted year-long bragging rights.

Feast for Days

We added two meals in addition to the Sunday brunch.

Friday Night: A Mexican Fiesta with a taco bar ranging from brisket and ground beef to chicken and shrimp. Get ready to spice up your party with our ultimate guide to hosting a Mexican Fiesta–from fun decorations to mouthwatering recipes!

Saturday Afternoon: Pig Pull or Crawfish Boil: Depending on the year, we spice up our Saturday with a mouth-watering Southern feast. Whether it’s a crawfish boil or a pig pull, it’s about good food and great company. Bring friends and family together with our inspirational guide to hosting: a traditional pig pull and an unforgettable Crawfish Boil

Updated Piñata

Bigger and better, these Texas-sized bunny piñatas are a smash hit (pun intended), providing a joint activity for both the big and small kids. Sometimes, we even get two piñatas—one for the little kids and another for the young adults.

The Bunny Suit Tradition: A Hop Down Memory Lane

The bunny suit, evolving from a simple costume to the highlight of our celebration, embodies the playful heart of Easter 2.0. It’s an instant mood booster, a laughter magnet, and a memory maker, offering a great excuse to give someone a hug. Our rascally teenage son dons the costume every year with unmatched enthusiasm, becoming our most cherished surprise.

Party Prep

Party prep is where my hosting skills truly shine, orchestrating everything from menu planning to decor with precision and care. I couldn’t do it without my sisters’ help. Our secret? A color-coded Google Doc. Each sister picks a color, and we divide and conquer the entire menu. It ensures our feast is as diverse as it is delicious. That Google Doc? It’s our command center, helping us coordinate tasks and stay on track. This team effort extends beyond cooking to decorations and errands, making prep feel like part of the celebration.

Easter Brunch: The Main Event 

As someone who’s all about throwing a great party and whipping up an Insta-worthy table, Easter Brunch is where my hosting skills truly shine. With my sisters by my side (who can cook like nobody’s business), we bring out a buffet that’s a little bit tradition, a little bit next-level. Think classic Southern dishes with a twist, and yes, a grits bar that’ll have you coming back for seconds. It’s about more than just the food, though. It’s about bringing everyone together. 

Brunch Menu

Champagne Bar

Pop the bubbly! For a deeper dive into options and inspirations for an interactive Champagne Bar, check out my blog and social media posts on popping the bubbly in style!

Grits Bar

Elevate your brunches with our top tips for creating the perfect grits bar experience!

Photos and Videos

A bulletin board covered with snapshots from past celebrations becomes the focal point of our gathering. As the party winds down, we add new memories to the collection to be enjoyed the next year. This evolving display not only captures the celebration but also serves as a reminder of the fun we have together. Next year, all pics will scroll on our TVs all weekend, thanks to all our tech-savvy teens.

Easter 2.0? It’s our family’s brand of chaos. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s more than a party; it’s a time when our big, loud, quirky and chaotic family comes together to celebrate not just Easter, but each other. Here’s to adding binge-worthy chapters to our family’s story.

So, what’s stopping you? Grab that apron, shake up some cocktails, and host a family bash that’ll have everyone talking. Our epic Easter upgrade? It’s your playbook now. Let’s make hosting this weekend ridiculously fun. Who’s in?