I’m an etiquette expert – the tackiest things people do at Easter & why you need to turn the TV off
EASTER is upon us, which means baskets of painted eggs, children running around the lawn, and long, sit-down dinners.
Etiquette expert and author , who founded the business etiquette consulting firm The Protocol School of Palm Beach, spoke with The Sun and revealed what Easter traditions are considered appropriate, and what you should avoid.
CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST
Many children wake up on Easter morning to a basket full of chocolate goodies - chocolate eggs, chocolate-shaped bunny rabbits, pastel-colored M&Ms - and instantly want to dig in.
It’s a tradition in many households to indulge in these kinds of sweets for breakfast when it comes to Easter Sunday, and Whitmore says it’s totally acceptable to incorporate chocolate into your first meal of the day.
“There are chocolate muffins, there are chocolate crepes, there are chocolate chip pancakes. Chocolate can be used in many different recipes… that’s what you do on Easter,” she explains.
DRESS CODES
Besides enjoying your favorite sweets, Easter typically also involves some sort of get-together with family and friends.
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Whether you’re getting ready for a brunch gathering or a dinner party, Whitmore says it’s time to break out those pastel dresses and floral ensembles.
“After a long, hard winter, it’s time to wear colorful clothes.
“Spring and summer are the perfect times to wear your light or brighter colors.
“Plus, everything going on in the world right now is so depressing and oppressive that wearing these things just makes you feel good.”
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And while we’ve all heard the “No White After Labor Day” rule, Whitmore says you don’t need to wait for the summertime to rock your favorite white outfit.
“I don’t necessarily believe in that rule. I think you can wear it.
“And maybe in the winter months, you tone it down a bit by wearing the winter whites, grays, and that kind of thing.
“But in the spring, and especially Easter, white is so, so appropriate.”
SERVEWARE
The common belief is that the holidays require you to whip out your fine china and expensive silverware.
But Whitmore says that’s not necessarily true.
“There are no real set rules for this.”
Hosts should instead keep in mind what kind of atmosphere they want to create with their meal and make sure the setting is conducive to that.
If you’re going to do a casual barbecue, formal wine glasses wouldn’t really match. Instead, opt for a picnic table and paper plates.
“Or if you're more of a formal person and you'd rather break out your nice china, you can do place cards with little eggs next to everybody’s seat at the table.”
Just let your guests know ahead of time what the dress code and seating will be like.
THE GUEST LIST AND GATHERING
The guests you choose to invite to your gathering and the activities you incorporate are up to you.
Easter egg hunts and egg-painting activities are welcomed—especially in today’s turmoil-filled world, Whitmore says, where it’s important to hold on to familial traditions like these.
As for one thing you should avoid doing if you’re invited to someone’s home:
“Don’t bring an uninvited guest to the Easter party. Always ask permission before bringing someone, including your kids’ friends.”
She also says it’s important that you don’t show up to a holiday house party empty-handed.
“Bring a small hostess gift, like an Easter lily, a candle, embroidered bunny towels, fine chocolates.”
THE CONVERSATION
Whitmore says Easter, like any holiday, is “more about the fellowship than the meal itself.”
“It’s really important that you stay engaged and that you be fully present.”
This means putting away the cell phone during dinner and avoiding the temptation to sit by the TV all afternoon.
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“And I would avoid talking about things that are controversial like politics. Save those things for another day and just keep it lighthearted on Easter.
“One of the conversation starters that I like is asking everyone what their favorite holiday tradition is. Everybody has a favorite memory.”
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