Why fancy Easter dinners are dying – and what we’re eating instead ...Middle East

Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

Easter falls on Sunday, April 20, but dinner may look a little different this year. Instead of elaborate tables with glazed ham, roasted lamb, carefully prepared sides and desserts that take hours to prepare, families today opt for simpler, more relaxed meals that emphasize convenience, connection and less stress. Welcome to a new era of Easter dining, where less really is more.

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Convenience wins

A survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Kiddie Academy found that parents effectively have 17-18-hour days when accounting for employment, household chores and child-related tasks. As the average family juggles more demands than ever, the idea of cooking all day has started to feel overwhelming rather than joyful.

So, instead of sweating over multiple dishes, families seek shortcuts. Meal kits, pre-made dishes or even simple DIY meals are popular ways to ease the pressure. Retailers and meal kit companies now prominently feature Easter-friendly selections that promise to minimize kitchen time and maximize enjoyment.

Brunch is booming. DIY brunch bars – featuring easy-to-prepare foods like overnight French toast casseroles, customizable waffles and egg dishes – are more popular. And it’s not hard to see why: these casual, build-your-own meals offer something for everyone without trapping one person in the kitchen.

Another convenience that reshapes Easter meals is the rise of prepared gourmet grocery items. Stores now offer fully-cooked holiday dishes, artisanal baked goods and even restaurant-quality entrees to-go. Families find these options appealing because they provide a taste of luxury without the labor, allowing hosts to spend more time engaging with guests rather than juggling multiple cooking tasks.

Changing family dynamics

Another reason elaborate Easter dinners lose steam is the shift in family dynamics. Extended families often live far apart, meaning fewer big gatherings. As families get smaller, the practicality of cooking huge meals decreases, giving way to simpler, smaller-scale celebrations.

This shift towards smaller, more manageable meals means traditional heavy dishes like ham or lamb roasts – once staples – are replaced by lighter, more adaptable fare. Spring brings fresh vegetables like asparagus, peas, radishes and artichokes. Many families choose veggie-forward dishes such as roasted asparagus salads, simple pasta e piselli or artichoke dips, celebrating the season without complexity.

Bella Bucchiotti, new mom and food writer at xoxoBella, says, “Fancy Easter dinners are taking a backseat to what actually works for modern families – like a ham in the slow cooker and a store-bought dessert. With everyone’s schedules all over the place and families often living miles apart, convenience and flexibility have become the new tradition in my family.”

Additionally, there’s an increasing emphasis on dishes that accommodate diverse dietary needs. With more family members adopting vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free lifestyles, flexible menus that cater to these preferences without additional complexity are more attractive. Recipes like grain bowls, lentil salads or roasted vegetable medleys are now staples, easily adapted to satisfy various dietary restrictions.

Less stress, more connection

Perhaps most importantly, people have begun prioritizing connection over perfection. In a time when stress and burnout are common concerns, families actively look to reduce pressures associated with holidays. The pandemic accelerated this trend, as gatherings shrank and traditions relaxed. The result is a new approach to holiday eating – one that focuses less on what’s on the table and more on who’s around it.

As people redefine what makes a holiday meal special, classic dishes like deviled eggs, simple salads and freshly baked bread are seeing a revival. These foods are quick to prepare, widely beloved and easily shared – perfect for fostering conversation and connection.

“Growing up, our Easter dinner meant 25 people or more, with my grandmother cooking for days and all the traditional foods served in fancy china. Now it’s just my immediate family and parents, and we’ve simplified to just a few favorites. Even the ham goes into the Instant Pot – it’s quicker, easier and still delicious. The huge family feast is history, and we’re good with it,” says Michelle Price of Honest and Truly.

Potluck-style gatherings, charcuterie boards and grazing tables are especially popular because they allow guests to choose exactly what they want and encourage casual mingling. There’s a growing popularity of grazing Easter lunches, which feature cheese boards, dips, cured meats and finger foods. These let guests snack leisurely rather than sit down to a formal meal.

The popularity of interactive dining experiences is also growing. Families enjoy activities such as assembling pizzas together or creating their own taco bars. These shared culinary experiences foster laughter, bonding and storytelling, turning meals into memorable moments rather than just a means to an end.

The future of Easter dining

Looking ahead, these trends will likely continue to evolve. As families value quality time over kitchen time, retailers and restaurants alike will innovate with simpler, more convenient offerings tailored to busy lifestyles. Expect to see even more creativity with meal kits, prepared foods and smaller-scale dishes tailored specifically for holiday gatherings.

The decline of fancy Easter dinners doesn’t mean losing tradition – just redefining it. Families discover new ways to make holidays special without the stress, and create memories that center on connection rather than cooking prowess.

This Easter, maybe skip the roast lamb and try a casual brunch or grazing table instead. You might find it not only easier but also even more memorable – and isn’t that the true point of a holiday meal?

Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju is a food and travel writer and a global food systems expert based in Seattle. She has lived in or traveled extensively to over 60 countries, and shares stories and recipes inspired by those travels on Urban Farmie.

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