Sustainable entertaining for spring

BRUNCH IN BLOOM

Creating an elegant Easter setting from items you probably already have at home.

WORDS BY CHRISTINA WALL STREIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARISSA DE LA TORRE

> Last year’s winter holidays de nitely

took a hit when it came to gathering with friends and family. As things look brighter this spring—not to mention warmer for outdoor socially distanced entertaining—putting a little extra effort into your Easter table doesn’t have to mean buying a ton of decorations to discard after the day is done. Here, we’ve created a setting for the holiday using items commonly found around the house. What’s more? Anything purchased can be used over and over again, for a range of holidays and occasions.

GRASS TABLECLOTH At just $2/square foot, the artificial grass from Home Depot makes a surprisingly a ordable tablecloth. Not only is it great for Easter, use it again and again for tea parties, Superbowl parties, or even a base for a beach picnic.

< KEEP IT GREEN

No need to be wasteful with floral arrangements. Stick to shades of green and time your event with cutting back your own garden, gathering trimmings and leaves for organic table arrangements.

< MAKE IT BUNNY

You may think of only using bunny statues and decorations at Easter, but think about using them again—in smaller quantities—for an Alice in Wonderland–themed tea party, a baby shower, or even Mother’s Day. Baskets filled with eggs on Easter can be used every day of the year to store household items like toiletries, napkins, or even remote controls.

< FINDS OF THE TIMES

Not everything has to be shiny and new. Vintage silverware adds elegance and history. Don’t get rid of china just because you have an incomplete set—mixing and matching gives an eclectic feel.

BE RE-PURPOSEFUL

•Instead of buying new scented candles, spray a few drops of your favorite perfume on your table runner an hour before guests arrive. Let the breeze gently pick up the scent and set the mood.

•Add color with old napkins or handkerchiefs to bring di erent colors, patterns, and textures to your outdoor table.

•A little ribbon goes a long way. Save garnish from holiday and birthday gifts to tie bows on napkins or to give old Easter decorations a new look.

BLEACH, PLEASE

Invigorate your dingy linen or cotton napkins and give them a new, on-trend tie-dye look in just a few easy steps: 1 Wearing gloves, pour bleach carefully into a spray bottle. 2 Get your napkin wet with cold water, then pinch it in the center and swirl it like a cinnamon roll. Tuck in any loose ends and wrap 4–6 rubber bands around the roll.

3 Carefully spray the bleach into the sections you’ve created with your rubber bands. 4 Let the napkins sit in the sun for 30–45 minutes. 5 Undo the rubber bands. Wash napkins in cold water without detergent. When dry, crisp them up with an iron.