Easter Holiday Preparation

Hello friends and happy Easter week! Easter tends to sneak up on us, doesn’t it? One minute it’s February, and the next there are pastel candy displays everywhere and you’re realizing your “spring bin” is still buried deep in the garage somewhere. Sound at all familiar?

Well, if you love celebrating Easter but don’t love the last-minute scramble (haha), then this one’s for you. Let’s talk about practical holiday preparation—the kind that makes the day feel thoughtful and festive without stressing anyone (mainly you) out. These are the lesser-known (but totally useful) prep tips I swear by.

Why Holiday Preparation Is Worth Doing

Prepping ahead for Easter isn’t about perfection. It’s about freeing up space for the things that matter most—time with family, a slow Sunday morning, and maybe even a moment to breathe between hosting brunch and hiding eggs. A little planning now = a heck of a lot more calm later.

Real-Life Tips You’ll Actually Use (and Be Glad You Did)

Audit Your Easter Bin First
Before you even think about going shopping, dig out your Easter decor and supplies. Take stock of what you actually have. I’m notoriously bad at doing this, which is why I’m putting it first on the list. Check for:

• Leftover plastic eggs (and whether they still close)
• Leftover basket fillers (grass, stickers, toys, bubbles, pencils, etc.)
• Baskets that might need replacing (or a really good dusting/cleaning)
• Linens that need a quick wash and press
• Table decor like napkin rings, centerpieces, or runners
• Egg dying supplies like empty dye cups or spoons from previous kits that can be reused

This step alone can save you money and a midweek Target run (trust me on this one). #holidaypreparationwin

Make a Brunch Blueprint
We all love a good Easter brunch, and it’s a regular occurrence in our house, but trying to cook and host on the same day can be…a lot. Here’s what helps me:

• Plan a menu with at least two make-ahead dishes. Quiches or egg puffs, baked French toast, or deviled eggs hold up great.
• Stick to cold or room-temp sides. Not everything needs to be hot and fresh (think fresh fruits or fruit salads, Jell-O salads, potato salad, cold vegetable salads, fresh chopped veggies and dip, etc.).
• Do any chopping, grating, measuring, and assembly you can the night before. Future you will be incredibly grateful.

Pre-Fill Eggs and Stash Them
Do not, I repeat—do not leave this for the night before. This is one of the most important rules of holiday preparation—do not procrastinate! It sounds minor, but nothing kills the Easter spirit like trying to stuff 78 eggs at 11 p.m. when you’re already tired from the day. It is not joyful.

If you’re hiding eggs outside, store them in a big paper bag or plastic bin (out of sight), so they’e ready to go. Bonus tip: mark your eggs with sharpie symbols (stars, hearts, etc.) or stickers if you’re dividing them between multiple kids to avoid tears over who got more eggs.

While you’re at it, fill up the Easter baskets too, or at least have your goodies separated out in bags (and labeled) ready to transfer to each basket quickly and easily in the morning.

Speaking of Baskets, Think Beyond the Usual Basket
You don’t have to fill your kids’ baskets with a sugar overload. Some fun alternatives (that they’ll actual love) are:

• Art supplies (washi tape, markers, stickers, paint pens, Play-Doh or clay)
• Gardening kits (mini pots, soil, seeds)
• Pajamas, socks, books, or a journal
• Reusable water bottle (a fun seasonal tumbler or kid-sized water bottle in a cute pattern or pastel color for spring)

Mix in a little candy, of course, everyone “needs” a Reese’s egg or five (no judgment from me—I have a problem), but no one said an Easter basket has to come straight out of a candy aisle.

Label Your Serving Dishes
This one’s a real game-changer. When you’re planning your menu, jot down which dish or platter goes with what. Then physically pull them out, label them with sticky notes, and stack them up, ready to go in the kitchen or dining room. You’ll save yourself the last-minute cabinet rummage while guests are arriving. I do this for every single meal I host, not just major holidays. I also pull out the serving utensils I plan to use and have them ready to go.

Don’t Forget the Trash!
It’s not glamorous, but having a trash and recycling plan, especially if you’re hosting a large group can make cleanup a breeze. My husband has, what we refer to as, trash anxiety, so this one is definitely worth mentioning (in case you know someone like this too, haha).

Empty your indoor cans before guests arrive and be mindful leading up to the holiday of when your trash will be collected for the week (save space and make alternative arrangements, like scheduling bulk pickup if needed). On the day of, set out labeled bags or cans (trash and recycling) if you’re hosting a crowd, and keep extra liners handy.

Make It Meaningful

Whatever Easter looks like in your home—faith-based, family-focused, low-key, or loud and full of kids—it’s worth slowing down and making space for connection too. A little holiday preparation can help with that. You’re not just getting ahead here, you’re making room for joy (I love looking at it this way, makes it all worth it).

Check out all of my Easter faves!