International Theme Easter Dinner Party

If you would like to try something different for an Easter Dinner Party, why not try one with an International flair? Many countries celebrate Easter, and the foods and customs can make for an interesting and fun dinner party.

You don't have to have it all authentic and exact. Find out the basics and go from there. It is a theme for a dinner party, not a cultural lesson for school. Some ingredients for foreign recipes may be hard or impossible to find. Research what appropriate substitutions are. Foreign recipes may use different measurements from what you are used to, including temperature, so be sure to research how to properly make the conversion.

Invitations

The invitation will let your guest know the formality of your event as well as your theme. Once you have chosen the country, you can decorate your invitations with its flag. If it has a distinct shape, a silhouette of its landmass will also work well.

Other invitations ideas include attaching an invitation to a flag or item representing the county. A food or beverage item from that country may be obtained and sent with the invitation. Anything that will represent the country of your choice may be used in some way with your invitations.

Decorating Your Dinner Party

Decorating with small flags of the country you have chosen, and in the colors of their flag are great ways to set the tone for your party. You can have music from the country softly playing in the background. You can even dress in the costume of the country, or have dolls on display in the appropriate costumes. Vases or baskets with flowers found in that country can make lovely centerpieces. Small flags or trinkets representing the country chosen can accompany place cards.

Candles, tablecloths, napkins, chair covers, dishes, serving ware all may be in the colors of the country's flag. For a less formal party, disposable plates, cups, napkins, and eating utensils all may be found in most colors. For variety, use all the colors of the flag. You can get all the plates in one color, all the cups in another, etc; or you can get each in all the colors of the flag.

The Menu

Listed by country are a few links to websites with information regarding that country's Easter customs and some recipes for foods served there. There are many more resources available than what have been listed below. These are merely helps to get you started.

Australian Easter Dinner

Because the rabbit is not native to Australia and does so much damage to their land, they prefer in Australia to celebrate with an Easter Bilby. The bilby is an endangered species in Australia and is a marsupial. It is also part of the bandicoot family.

Australian Easter Customs
Australian Easter Recipes
More Australian Easter Recipes

Brazilian Easter Dinner

Located in the southern hemisphere, it is actually fall in Brazil when Easter is celebrated. The same Easter symbols are used there as in the northern hemisphere.

Basic Brazilian Easter Information
Brazilian General and Easter Recipes
General Easter Info for Brazil and other Easter Links

Egyptian Easter Dinner

In Egypt, not only is Easter celebrated, but also the day afterwards is a pubic holiday. Its root are an ancient spring festival, so on this day you may find people outdoors, and exchanging colored eggs.

Easter in Egypt Basic Information
Small Collection of Egyptian Recipes
Large Collection of Egyptian Recipes

French Easter Dinner

French church bells can be heard ringing throughout the countryside except from the Thursday before Good Friday until Easter Sunday. This is to allow the people contemplation of the Savior's death, and then to celebrate His resurrection.

Some French Easter Customs
More French Easter Customs Information
Large Collection of French Recipes

Greek Easter Dinner

Easter and Christmas are two very important holidays in the Greek culture, which means the options for the menu and customs to choose from are abundant. Every island and region in Greece may also have its own variation of recipes and customs. Mix and match, or stick to one region. The choice is yours.

Greek Easter Recipes and Info About Holy Week
Greek Orthodox Customs and Recipes
Tons of Recipes and Customs Information

Polish Easter Dinner

A Blessing Basket is an important part of a Polish Easter celebration. Into it go colored eggs, breads, cakes, and other foods that are taken to church to be blessed. Splashing each other with water is another custom used to predict marriage within a year, or to give good health to all.

Basic Polish Easter Customs
More In-depth Polish Easter Customs
Large Collection of Polish Recipes

Ukrainian Easter Dinner

Famous for their lovely colored eggs (pysanky), a Ukrainian celebration is sure to be colorful. Fitting in perfectly with preparations for a dinner party, in the Ukraine homes are given a good 'spring cleaning' before Easter.

Basic Ukrainian Easter Customs
Large Collection of Ukrainian Recipes
Pysanky Information and Art

Guest Gifts

If you choose to have guest gifts, you can use the decorations and centerpieces, or make something special. A trinket or food item from the country you have chosen would make a lovely gift item. A small gift bag or basket with various items from the country would be ideal, as well. An item commonly associated with the country would be wonderful. For example: tulips from Holland or olive oil from Italy.For the Perfect Party

Remember Murphy's Law that something is bound to go wrong. Do your best to plan well and thoroughly, and then relax. Your guests will appreciate your efforts and being able to enjoy your company. That is what will make it the perfect party: enjoying each other's company.