Setting the Table for Easter Brunch

If you’re hosting an #Easter or #springtime #brunch, pick “a color palette that represents the season,” says blogger Stacy Ling. Use a garden as inspiration; many flowers are coming up in spring colors of yellow, purple and pastels. Bring the outdoors in with a festive floral centerpiece, and consider breaking out the special dishes. “And yes, you can totally mix vintage pieces with your fine China or other dinnerware,” she says. “Mixing things up adds more interest to the table.” You can always find decorative plates, vases, table linens and more at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #dontions to ClothingDonations.org. #EasterBrunch

Cooking Brunch for a Crowd

If you want to stage a good Easter or springtime #brunch for a crowd, stick to recipes that can be made en masse to feed lots of people. Breakfast casseroles are easy to make in bulk, and they range from savory egg bakes to sweet French toast. Anything eggy is a natural at #Easter time, and while egg prices remain high, deviled eggs are a homey favorite. “Looking to put seasonal produce to good use? Try the show-stopping carrot tart, crowd-pleasing strawberry muffins or wrap asparagus in bacon,” says The Pioneer Woman. “Just don’t forget to pour yourself  Easter cocktail.” #EasterBrunch

Look to a Thrift for Quality Tableware

Even the most seasoned chefs don’t always have the specialized cooking equipment a new recipe calls for. Home cooks who are missing an oddly shaped pan or dedicated fruit peeler should browse the shelves at the local #thrift and #secondhand shops supplied by your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org. Thrifts can be a great source of the dishes, bakeware, tools and small appliances that designed to make #cooking a breeze. They are also a great source of the seasonal decorations, serving dishes and tableware that will make your Easter or springtime brunch a big success. #EasterBrunch

Spring Is the Season for Brunch

Fresh produce and sunny weather always puts The Organizing Blog in a #brunch mood. The good news is that you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money to have a great brunch, Easter or otherwise. Pick up some early season vegetables such as asparagus, peas and morel mushrooms at the farmers market, add some eggs, and enjoy a delicious, fresh meal, Serious Eats says. Many recipes are easy to make and crowd-pleasing, so invite friends and family to your #springtime brunch fare to help shake off the last vestiges of your #winter #hibernation. #EasterBrunch

Practicing Ecofriendlty Consumerism

#Holiday shopping is in full swing, and that may have many readers spending not-insignificant amounts of money in an attempt to check everyone off their #gift lists. While getting with the spirit of the #season is a worthy goal, buying all of that #stuff has an impact.

U.S. #holiday spending is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion in 2024 — a truly staggering amount. And while some of that spending will result in great #gifts and cherished memories, Americans generate 23% more waste in December, according to the Center for Biodiversity.

Many of those gewgaws you select take considerable resources to manufacture and ship, and most will eventually wind up in landfills. Many will contribute to household #clutter. That’s why it’s important to practice #ecoconscious consumerism.

Consider buying (and requesting) secondhand gifts, Business Insider suggests. Buy Nothing groups can help locate quality used toys and clothing, and the #thrift stores stocked by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org are overflowing with one-of-a-kind finds.

Another way to spend sustainably is to give experiences rather than hard goods. Tickets to sporting events, concerts and the theater make thoughtful gifts, and add to the excitement by creating a whole new outing. A gift certificate for a personal care service such as a massage or manicure pampers without creating a lot of trash. Many of these services are local, meaning that you’ll support your community with real dollars and limit the carbon footprint required to manufacture and ship merchandise.

Even a gift card is an ecofriendly gift idea when you don’t know exactly what to get and don’t want to give something that will just get tossed. Americans wasted an estimated $9.1 billion on holiday gifts that were exchanged, sold or thrown away in 2023, according to Finder. Another way to limit your environmental impact is to limit the use of disposable gift wraps. Although festive, they contributes to waste; consider reusable bags or get creative with fabric wraps instead.

You can have a fantastic holiday while creating less #trash. It take a little forethought, but your efforts will pay off with less indoor clutter, a healthier #earth, and good cheer among family and friends.