IF YOU'RE planning some Easter entertaining this weekend, Gabrielle Fagan has eight cracking ideas to bring the occasion to life, with simple decor and finishing touches.

A HOLIDAY gathering will be much more memorable with a cheerful springtime table setting and plenty of seasonal touches - from pretty hanging eggs on a tree, to colourful wreaths and a sprinkling of cute, decorative bunnies or chicks.

For Rebecca Stanton, a stylist and visual merchandiser at Dobbies Garden Centres, the four-day weekend is among her preferred times of year.

"Easter decorating includes some of my favourite styling elements, including pretty pastels, blooming bouquets and fresh foliage," she said.

"A mix of candy-coloured decorations will bring a table to life, especially with the addition of miniature chicks and Easter bunnies to set the tone for the occasion."

She added: "Nothing says springtime like a bunch of gorgeous tulips, helping bring a touch of the outside in. Frankly, you can never have too many flowers."

1. Branch out

Time was, decorated trees were just for Christmas, but they're rapidly becoming an essential ingredient for Easter decor too.

"Within the home, an Easter tree is an eye-catching statement piece which can be dressed up or down, depending on your style," said Lisa Rutherford, stationery and seasonal events buyer at John Lewis.

"They're becoming ever more popular. A small collection of hanging eggs can look beautiful and understated. If a full-sized tree isn't for you, consider a smaller tabletop tree version, or just a simple collection of branches in a vase with a few ornaments for a mini display."

2. Keep it cute

Hop to it and gather a collection of chicks and bunnies, which children will love but can also be all you need to pay a subtle nod to the season.

Hang several on a wire across a window frame or mirror, or hang individually on cupboard handles or from a pendant light above the table.

3. Crack a top table display

"A meal, and the table setting, is at the centre of many Easter celebrations," said Lisa.

"It's worth investing in the ingredients for a scheme which you can use again. Consider following a colour scheme - yellow or zingy green are both top choices for a crisp, fresh look.

"Whether you want something fun and functional, maybe a grass table runner and a line of tiny pots of faux daffodils, or a little more sophistication using pastels and muted florals, your table offers a space to be creative and playful."

4. Treat the table

Splurge on a few new pieces of Easter-inspired homeware to give a table setting a lift, or to decorate a mantel or shelf.

If that's beyond the budget, simply fill a clear glass bowl full of eggs (traditionally, real eggs are hard-boiled and dyed with food colouring) and place in the centre of the table, or opt for a simple spring bouquet from the garden.

For a quick fix: Use a ribbon or twine to tie a hanging decoration to each napkin and personalise with a label displaying each guest's name.

5. Hunt down style

Easter wouldn't be the same without an egg hunt. Pop up a sign, scatter some artificial eggs, and have chocolate treats as prizes.

6. Bring in the outdoors

Nature's waking up after winter, with blossom and new growth galore, a beautiful feature of the season. Reflect that indoors too, with floral wreaths and garlands (faux ones are so good nowadays, it's hard to distinguish them from the real thing). Hang on a door or wall, or use as a table focal point.

7. Create a centrepiece

What you need: four birch branches; twine; seasonal flowers and foliage (such as eucalyptus, ivy, mimosa or forsythia); six decorated Easter eggs or Easter chocolates; two large cup hooks.

How to do it:

- Lay the birch branches on a large flat surface and loosely arrange them parallel to each other, with a gap of approximately 3-4cm between each.

- Wind twine several times around an outer branch. Leave a length of 3-4cm of twine and then wind around the next branch and so on, until you get to the far side and the branches are all connected. Do this 20-30cm in from each end of the display.

- Gather your chosen foliage and flowers together in two loose bunches and bind their stems. Lay each bunch on top of the birch branches with the bound stems overlapping in the middle. Tuck the bound ends into the opposite bunch to hide untidy ends.

- Tie lengths of twine to your Easter eggs, ready for hanging. Hang your birch branches and foliage from the ceiling with cup hooks and twine, then tie on your Easter eggs in varying positions and at different heights. Tweak the arrangement of the foliage or add more, once the centrepiece is in place, to achieve the look you want.

8. Enter into the Easter spirit

Don't confine decoration to inside the house. Welcome Easter guests with a wreaths on your front door, or a tub of spring flowers in the porch.