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Fewer things speak to the beauty of the season than an afternoon spent beneath the trees savoring genuine, heartfelt conversation. Especially as a mom, this feels like one of life’s luxuries—which is why, in honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to gift some of my friends the gift of doing exactly that. With the help of Target (our partner on this post), I threw a relaxed, backyard gathering that felt so easy, I wanted to share how anyone could recreate it.
The great thing about this kind of party is that you don’t have to overthink it—all you need is a free afternoon to do a little prep and planning. Keep reading for some garden-inspired menu ideas, styling tips, plus entertaining essentials that help frame what’s really important: prioritizing time together and nurturing the sisterhood between women that’s often one of the easiest to overlook.
Create a Garden-Inspired Setting
It never gets old: spring’s burst of flowers and the subtle reawakening of the world. I’ve been so inspired by our blooming garden lately, so it felt fitting to draw from nature to set the scene for our afternoon. Here are a few elements I kept in mind:
- Effortless outdoor seating: I wanted a cozy, intimate space that felt practical enough for a meal but casual enough for lingering conversation. A round table is great for fostering conversation.
- Fresh flowers, always: It’s amazing how a vase of blooms suddenly dresses up a table. I clipped some fresh roses from my yard; you could do the same, or pick up a bouquet from Target’s new brand of fresh flowers and plants, Good Little Garden.
- Minimal, but intentional, details: I wanted my table to feel elevated, but not fussy. A few candlesticks and some cloth napkins was all it took to dress it up. You could also tie an herb spring around each napkin or drape a throw blanket over every chair. Something that reflects a little extra care and makes everyone feel welcome.
Extra tip: For a layered, lived-in look, mix and match different dinnerware and glassware against textured neutral linens.
Set the Menu: Fresh, Light, and Seasonal
No need to spend hours in the kitchen. Since I was hosting fellow moms, I wanted ease but with nourishment, too. Think light, nosh-able foods that celebrate the season while still being snackable—and satiating. A good cheeseboard is one of my go-to’s for these type of casual gatherings. It’s low-effort, high-impact entertaining that balances salty, sweet, and creamy in between bites of something fresh.
How to Build a Simple Spring Cheese Board:
Here’s my formula for a great cheese board. Grab your favorites in each category, and choose your own adventure!
- 3 cheeses: a soft (like goat or brie), a hard (like manchego or sharp cheddar), and something funky or unexpected (like an herbed chèvre or smoky gouda).
- 2 meats: prosciutto and salami are always crowd-pleasers, but you could always add some tinned fish or stuffed olives for added savoriness.
- 2 types of crackers or sliced baguette.
- Seasonal fruit: strawberries, grapes, sliced pears, or dried apricots.
- Handful of nuts: almonds or pistachios add crunch and balance.
Optional extras: a drizzle of honey, a dollop of fig jam, or sprigs of rosemary for flair.
Spring Crudité Platter with Tzatziki Dip
Let the food be the decor here. Arrange crisp Good & Gather snap peas, rainbow carrots, radishes, and sliced cucumbers on a big wooden board or pretty ceramic tray. Serve with a bowl of Good & Gather Tzatziki Dressing in the center—its creamy, herb-packed flavor is the perfect complement to fresh produce.
Extra tip: Group veggies by color for a visually striking board, and add a few edible flowers for a garden-party flourish.
Bubbly Spritz Bar
It’s a day of celebration, after all! Whether they were feeling a non-alcoholic sparkler or a citrusy spritz with a kick, I wanted my friends to take it easy and help themselves. I set out chilled bottles of lemonade, Good & Gather sparkling water, and prosecco, plus bowls of citrus slices and mint sprigs for a little extra zhuzh.
Hosting Tips for a Restorative Gathering
When I host a gathering, I like to know my purpose for bringing people together. Here’s the intention behind every element of this one: Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. While it’s an incredible journey, there are also stretches of time where it can feel like a struggle. Having friends by your side, those who can relate and are in it with you, is so important. They call out your inner strength so you can show up stronger and even more authentically than before.
Keeping this in mind, here are a few other ways to add meaning to your meal:
- Be clear with timing: A mom’s time is precious. Setting a clear start and stop time helps your guests plan and sets the expectation their time will be respected. (Of course, let people know they are always free to stick around longer if they’d like!)
- Set a dress code: Or not—whatever you feel like your friends will enjoy the most. Sometimes a simple, “P.S. Jeans welcome!” can take the pressure off. But if you think everyone needs an excuse to get out the dresses, say that too.
- Plan in advance: This helps you as much as them. Even if it’s just the night before, setting the table or chopping up veggies can keep stress at a minimum.
- Initiate affirmations: In addition to any buzzier catch-up, hold space for deeper conversation by going around the table to say something encouraging about each guest. (Moms will forever need this!) You could even assign friends to each other ahead of time, so everyone shows up with something well thought out.
Target Favorites for a Garden-Inspired Gathering
For more of my entertaining, food, decor, and fashion faves, explore and shop my Target storefront.
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