Feasts That Hold Families Together

As Easter approaches, there's a palpable sense of anticipation in the air – a feeling of renewal and rebirth that brings us together, both in spirit and around the table.

Let’s face it, it is the first big milestone in the calendar to look forward to after Christmas. In our family, Easter is a time to celebrate togetherness from far flung reaches, enjoying the cherished traditions and rituals that have been passed down through generations, some taken up with great gusto!

The foundation of our Easter tables starts with the humble tablecloth  – a simple yet essential element that serves as the backdrop for our shared meals and memories. Created with care and attention to detail, it bears the marks of countless celebrations and the imprint of family joy (extra red wine or gravy, anyone?).

A little like a makeover for our stoic kitchen table – it teases out a more glamourous side at the heart of our home taking a break from the tears shed over homework and the working late into the night as an entrepreneur. As we lay out a gorgeous cotton cloth of vibrant block prints, we think only of the happy times, as hands metaphorically, and literally, smooth over its wrinkles and set it in place.

But the tablecloth is just the beginning; it's the Easter table decorations that truly bring our Easter feast to life. From colourful floral arrangements to whimsical Easter centrepieces, each detail is thoughtfully chosen to create a festive atmosphere that welcomes all who gather around. Regardless of whatever winter we have just endured, the optimistic vibrancy of Mother Nature at this time of year can only be an inspiration to us to refresh and start anew.

We will be bring the garden to the table with scores of delphiniums, paper whites, ranunculus, anemones, fritillaries, muscaris and lots of moss as our Easter centrepiece (thank you, Willow Crossley!).

Amongst the decorations and delicious food, there are certain objects that hold a special place in our hearts – objects to treasure. Whether it's the heirloom china passed down from our grandmothers or the hand-painted Easter eggs that we carefully display each year, these items connect us to our past and remind us of the traditions that bind us together.

All these get people talking, after all who doesn’t like getting a hand painted Easter Bunny box with chocolate eggs placed strategically on the table!

A simple yet effective way to encourage a smile and let happiness permeate the air, infusing every moment with a sense of warmth and contentment. It's a time when families come together, drawn by the promise of shared traditions and the comfort of familiar rituals. From the joyous sound of children's laughter to the heartfelt conversations shared between relatives, happiness abounds in every corner of the gathering.

Yet, let’s be honest behind every successful Easter celebration are usually extremely special individuals in every family who work tirelessly to make it all possible. They are the custodians who keep the family together, preserving traditions, passing down values, and ensuring that each gathering is a memorable occasion. 

So let us take a moment to express our gratitude to the family members who enrich our lives with their love and devotion and are willing to do the washing up! Let us honour their contributions and celebrate the traditions they have worked so hard to preserve. For in the end, it is their efforts that make our gatherings truly special, and for that, we are eternally thankful.

I only hope we are lucky enough to get some spring sunshine. I’m ready to make the most of it at a moment’s notice by grabbing a seat cushion to line a damp bench and take the gathering into the garden. Simply enjoy a morning coffee with houseguests with a front row seat to the new life springing up around you, dancing to the soundtrack of birdsong. A marvelous way the start the day with the anticipation that maybe, just maybe, this will be the idyllic summer we shall never forget. However you spend your Easter celebrations, we hope you find happiness in the simple pleasures of togetherness – in the shared meals, the playful banter, and the quiet moments of reflection. It's these moments of happiness that remind us all of the true meaning of Easter and the importance of cherishing the bonds that unite us.

So, let us surround ourselves with a feast for the eyes, flavours and, heavenly scents to delight but above all with exuberance!