The Today Show Easter Tablescapes
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We pulled out the power tools for this one, and John Legend couldn’t believe what he was seeing!
In case you missed it, I wanted to make sure you had all the details so you can recreate the same charm for your own Easter tables! Whether you're hosting a big family brunch or simply setting a beautiful table to enjoy with loved ones, take any of these ideas and run with them (and you don’t have to use power tools if you don’t want to!)
When producers from The Today Show reached out to me to join them for an Easter decorating segment, I had to rearrange my schedule and make it happen!
It’s always a joy to go on The Today Show. I’ve joined Hoda and Jenna twice before—sharing Thanksgiving Table Tips and How to Decorate Your Front Door for Halloween. This week I got to round out the holiday trifecta and showcase my favorite Easter table decorating tips.
I know y’all love to peek behind the curtain with me, so don’t miss the fun little behind-the-scenes video about this whirlwind trip to NYC with my stylist Carrie! I’m also sharing all the details about the outfit and makeup she picked out for me in this post!
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Here are the details about the Easter tablescapes I shared on the show, so y’all can recreate them at home. Thankfully, since this was so last-minute, I had recently assembled the tablescapes for the Gardens of the World event for the South Carolina Garden Club, so I’ll be honest with y’all— I used many of those same elements but added an Easter twist!
SETUP a FEstive Easter Appetizer Station
Let’s start with the appetizer station—a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds!
Forsythia & Quince Easter Egg Tree:
We created a charming Easter egg tree using forced branches of quince and forsythia. This simple DIY adds an elegant garden touch to any table. Here’s the trick: forcing forsythia branches takes at least a week or two to show buds, so if you want those golden blooms by Easter, start now! For extra fun, I hung vintage paper Easter eggs and even Peeps—yes, Peeps! Just thread them onto Christmas ornament hooks or floral wire and hang them on the branches for a playful pop of color that the kids will absolutely love.
A Fun Twist on Bloody Marys:
Give your brunch cocktail a garden twist with carrot-based juice and a splash of vodka in a Bloody Mary. Serve them up with a sipping spoon and garnish with a small carrot. It’s a nod to the season and something unexpected your guests will love. Of course you can leave out the vodka if you’re serving kids!
Photo courtesy of NBC.
Create a Garden Grazing Board:
We built a charcuterie board to resemble a spring landscape, and it turned out so cute!
Start with bits and pieces of bite-sized chocolate as the “soil.”
Add green veggies like broccoli and cucumber slices for grass.
Use flower-shaped cookie cutters to cut your favorite cheese varieties into blooms and mix in mozzarella balls, strawberries, and clementines for extra color.
Scatter blueberries across the top for a “sky,” and top it all off with lemon or blood orange slices to represent the sunrise. This is such a fun, family-friendly way to get creative with your food and honor the importance of an Easter sunrise.
Photo courtesy of NBC.
DIY Carrot Toppers for Cupcakes:
Want to elevate store-bought cupcakes for dessert? (I promise your secret is safe with me—wink, wink!) Melt orange candy melts and green candy melts (I like these from Wilton) according to the package directions, then pipe them onto parchment paper to form cute carrot shapes. If you don’t have a piping bag, just snip a corner off of a Ziploc bag and squeeze it out quickly! Works great! Once the chocolate is hardened, simply pop them into the tops of your cupcakes for a sweet little garnish that looks homemade and nobody will ever know!
Photo courtesy of NBC.
Shop MY Appetizer Table Decor for Easter:
Easter Dining Table Decor IDeas
On the main dining table, we went all-in with a fresh, garden-inspired theme perfect for spring celebrations. Here is the setup! Of course we added that beautiful tulip centerpiece before we went live.
Drill a Carrot for a Unique Centerpiece!
This showstopper centerpiece is so simple but makes such an impact! Use a small drill to hollow out whole carrots, then place them upright in a tall glass vase. Tuck tulips inside each carrot for a one-of-a-kind floral arrangement that will have your guests just as blown away as John Legend!
Photo courtesy of NBC.
If you're short on time or tools, simply bundle long-stemmed carrots in the vase with flowers layered around—it’s just as festive! If you start early next year, you can even grow your own carrots for this centerpiece. Kids will LOVE it!
Photo courtesy of NBC.
My Tulip Tip:
Did you know tulips keep growing even after they’re cut? Up to an inch a day! To keep your centerpiece from getting unruly, poke a small hole near the base of each tulip with a pin. Also, add a splash of bleach to your vase water to help the blooms last longer and stay vibrant throughout the weekend.
Personalized Place Settings:
Add a personal touch with egg cups at each setting—write or print your guests’ names and nestle them in with Jordan almonds or a little piece of chocolate. It’s a sweet gesture that feels thoughtful and fun.
Photo courtesy of NBC.
The Full Place Setting:
We layered each setting with rattan chargers, cabbage-shaped dinner plates (my favorite!), and Easter egg salad plates on top. Add a scalloped edge cloth napkin—I had mine monogrammed for that personal touch—then finish with bamboo flatware and pretty beaded goblets. For a final flourish, I added little silver honey pots that I bought many years ago at Ballard Designs and scattered blue and green foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies across the table, along with golden bunny statues to bring the Easter magic to life. Isn’t this fun!?
Photo courtesy of NBC.
Shop Easter Table Settings
What’s for Easter Dinner?
Of course, it wouldn’t be Easter in the South without a feast! My go-to menu includes baked ham, creamy mac and cheese, slow-simmered collard greens, deviled eggs on a cute platter, Sister Schuberts rolls, and all the Southern sides you can imagine. No one leaves hungry!
I hope these ideas inspire you to create a beautiful, joy-filled Easter table that’s just as delicious as it is delightful. Whether you recreate the whole look or just sprinkle in a few touches, remember that the heart of any gathering is the love and laughter shared around the table.
Happy Easter, my friends!
XOXO,
Carmen
Want more info about my makeup and outfit? Read On…
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