Easter is on its way and it’s time to get ready. Whether you are strong on the religious aspects of what the holiday means for Christians or you enjoy it for the family and friends element, let’s get ready. Easter is a special time for so many. Growing up my personal Easter had so many elements to consider. I will dive into dining in and around Philadelphia, shopping, ways to make it special, and tips for egg decorating and more.
Easter and Church
This is the time where many Christians will reference the death of the Lord. This means that although he has risen the celebration on what that means is on full display. Growing up we would go to church practically all day. From the morning service, dinner with family, and productions to showcase our talents and skills at night-it was a full day. Dressing up also was huge. My mother would don the biggest “church lady” hat with matching heels. My twin and I in the most frilly dresses and my brother and dad in their suits.
As I have my own family we do go to to church but we take a more casual approach. I haven’t dressed the kids in those dresses since maybe the oldest was 5 years old. All of my kids now have their own style. We usually do matching t-shirts and enjoy coming together for the family.
Dining in and Around Philadelphia
When I met my husband he made it clear that Thanksgiving was his mom’s holiday. So for Easter we rotated Easter between his and my mom’s family. His uncle would have a beautiful spread at his house. Since his mom’s passing that has gone too. We rotate between staying home or going to my mom’s home. This year we will rotate to my mom’s house where between my parents and myself we will cover food and desserts. For those who need a more the welcome break here are some restaurants that you can dine in. I caution you to make reservations now.
Positano Coast
They celebrate Easter with special menus for brunch and dinner! Easter Sunday Brunch runs from 11:30am to 3:00pm including specials and features, including ROasted Pear Flatbread, Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Brunch Burger, Avocado Toast, Vavatelli, Asparagus and Crab Quiche, Chorizo Omelette, Spinach and Egg White Frittata, French Toast with Grand Marnier and Berries, and all-day specials below. For Easter Sunday, add on a ticket for the Bottomless Brunch Experience for $30 per person with unlimited mimosas and sangria, available until 2:30pm, everyone at table must participate.
Book now on Open Table or call 856-663-1747. For dinner and all-day menu, look for specials including: Bone-in Chicken Parmigiana, Braised Short Ribs, Langostino Scampi, Chilled Lobster, Pear Salad, Aldo’s Seafood Harvest, Lamb Shank, Sesame Crusted Tuna, Pork Chop Milanese, Zucchini Crabcake, Pan-Seared Branzino, Grilled Salmon and more.
Village Whiskey
Celebrate Easter at Village Whiskey with a special Easter Brunch Menu for $27 – including first beverage! Enjoy your choice of mimosa or fresh orange juice. The table will share meat and cheese including cured meats, cheese, cornichons, mustard and seasonal accompaniments, as well as deviled eggs with mustard, tarragon and capers. Each person will then pick a brunch plate, including options:
- Breakfast Sammy – Fried eggs, avocado, cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelized onion aioli, breakfast potatoes
- Bourbon French Toast – Spiced bourbon honey, smoked pecans, cinnamon whipped cream
- Village Breakfast – Two eggs any style, bacon and duck fat potatoes
- The Village Burger – Wagyu house blend, sesame roll, tomato, boston bibb, smoked thousand island
- Veggie Burger – Black bean and lentil patty, guacamole, seeded pan au lait roll, pickled red cabbage
The Olde Bar
Easter Sunday Brunch will be $27 per guest, please participate as a table. It includes starter mimosa or fresh orange juice. Starters to share with table include shrimp fries and apple/ arugula salad. Choice of main including Baked Eggs, “The” Burger, Or choice of Biscuits (Hot Chicken, Smoked Salmon, Sausage Egg Cheese). Brunch hours are from noon to 3pm. Make your reservation now.
Other Items:
- Crab Cake Benedict
Poached Egg, Oven Cured Heirloom Tomato, Sweet Smoked Paprika Hollandaise - Chicken and Waffles
TOB Famous Fried Chicken, Sweet Corn Waffles, Sweet Corn Puree, Earl Grey Tea Maple Syrup, Maple Hot Sauce - Funfetti Waffle for the Kids –
Whipped Cream, Flavored Maple Syrup
A La Mode + - Bubbly Brunch Tray
3 seasonal juices with accouterments and complimentary bottle of chilled Cava
Gifting for Easter
I love this part. Easter can come without bunnies and eggs. However as a mom and aunt, this is one of those holidays that I love to do the cutest things. From easter baskets to special gifts and more. Here are some options for you to use and enjoy the process.
Etsy
Supporting small business owners should be the first on the list. So with that in mind, here are some amazing items that you can grab now and get in time for the Easter holiday. In addition, Etsy is one of those spots that you can get unique things that you can’t always find in the store.
Amazon
We love what we can get in days. I am not against Amazon you can ask my mailman. With that being said, here are some options you can grab from my Amazon store. These items are some of my personal favorites too. Kids love to be included. Adults love baskets too. I make my twin a basket every year. This has been my personal go to for years for her.
Target
If you are new here you should know that Target is one of my self care spots. Leaving the kids with their dad so I can walk the aisles and let Target tell me what to get is what I love to do. However if you have 3 kids and 3 nieces (or whatever your variations) like I do it can get pricey. To save costs, I purchase candy and trinkets in bulk. This means there are some items that all of the kids will get that are identical. After that, I start to add personal items. My kids, have reusable baskets like the ones from my Amazon store. For my nieces they get new baskets every year.
Self Care on Easter
If you aren’t traveling, don’t feel like going to church (don’t discount online church), and don’t want to fight the restaurants for dinner, have a self care Easter. This is where you take it easy. If I was doing a laid back easter this is what I would do:
- Decorate my place
- Purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers
- Make a small meal or order out with Doordash or other food delivery service
- Clean my home the day before Easter
- Use my shower tabs or bath bomb
- Enjoy a great cup of coffee in my Easter bunny cup
- Watch amazing television or a movie or two
- Read a good book
- Enjoy breakfast in bed even if I have to get out of the bed to get it and get back in the bed and relax
- Stay in Pajamas all day long
Easter Traditions
Some still love to color a good egg. Did you know that Easter so many people look up how to boil eggs? Yup. It has to be the perfect boiled egg so that when you color or paint them won’t have the color bleed into them. Here are some egg coloring ideas and techniques. I am starting with the one that is the less messy first. The age old question has always been how to get the dye off of your hand.
The options are endless. So whether you are staying home, going to church, purchasing gifts for others, buying yourself a beautiful bouquet of flowers, practicing self care, enjoy it.