This post is sponsored by CVS but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"One of the many realities that have hit me hard in adulthood is that hosting a brunch always sounds fun in theory—until you start planning it. Between grocery shopping, decor, drinks, and figuring out how much food you actually need, costs add up fast. Before you know it, you’re standing in the middle of the grocery store, questioning whether you really need three different types of pastries or if you should just throw in the towel and make a single frittata and call it a day. And don’t even get me started on the whole “making your home look cute without spending a small fortune” part. Brutal.
Easter brunch, in particular, can feel like a high-stakes event. Maybe it’s the pastel color scheme, maybe it’s the IG-worthy spreads that make the rounds every spring, or maybe it’s just the fact that it falls right at the peak of “I want my life to feel put-together” season. Whatever the reason, the pressure to create the perfect brunch scenario is very real… And for what? Hosting doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive if you do it the right way. In fact, the best gatherings are the ones where you’re actually enjoying yourself—not running around refilling drinks and shaking at the idea of someone spilling on the boujee linen napkins you splurged on for no reason.
This year, I’m making it my mission to throw an Easter brunch that’s low on cost, low on stress, and high on the things that actually matter—good food, good company, and a cute atmosphere I didn’t need to take out a loan to expense. If you’re in the same boat (trying to make it happen without pulling your hair out), here’s exactly how to make it happen on a CVS budget:
Figure out your guest list and send invites
When it comes to throwing a brunch, having a solidified headcount is crucial to avoid overspending. The last thing you want is to end up short on eggs (or, God forbid, buy too many in this economy) or coffee. At the same time, you don’t want to overbuy and be stuck with three dozen leftover pastries that you now feel obligated to eat (been there).
To avoid the guessing game, keep your guest list intentional and send personal invites. Group texts and casual “stop by if you can” invitations can be great for some events, but for a brunch where you actually need to plan portions, a one-on-one invite via Partiful or Evite is the way to go. Plus, it makes the gathering feel a little more special—like a real event rather than just popping in on any other Sunday morning.
Do a CVS run
I love a good seasonal setup, but I’m not about to spend half my budget on decorations that I’ll only use once a year. That’s why my first stop for Easter brunch essentials is my local CVS (truly can’t believe they aren’t sick of me yet). They have everything I need to make my table look festive without going overboard. From pastel-colored candy (because Easter isn’t Easter without some chocolate eggs) and other must-grab essentials like adorable napkins, mini egg-shaped bowls, and other seasonal touches for under $15 + classic basket fillers for under $10, I pretty much let their aisles tell me what I need.
One of my favorite low-effort, high-reward decor tricks? A big glass bowl filled with pastel mini chocolate eggs or candies as a centerpiece. It looks cute, adds a little color, and doubles as an easy snack for guests while they sip their coffee. Plus, it means I don’t have to worry about fancy tablescapes—sometimes, a simple touch is all you need to make things feel festive.
CVS | Cadbury
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Regent Square Studio
CVS | Reeses
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Decorware
CVS | Sour Patch Kids
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Lindt
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Reeses
Pick up fresh flowers
Fresh flowers make any brunch feel a little more elevated, but there’s no reason to splurge on a florist when grocery store bouquets get the job done for a fraction of the price. I love mixing and matching different bouquets to create my own arrangements, which honestly feel more personal and creative anyways. A simple trick I swear by? Stick to a color palette. Choosing all-white flowers or mixing a couple of coordinating pastel shades makes the arrangement look intentional, even if all you did was cut the stems and plop them in a vase. And if you really want to get fancy, grab some eucalyptus (usually only a few dollars) to add a little texture and make everything look more styled. Bonus: It makes your place smell amazing.
Serve low-maintenance food and drinks
Here’s my golden rule for hosting: If it’s going to stress me out, I’m not making it. Brunch is meant to be relaxed, so instead of waking up at the crack of dawn to whip up an elaborate spread, I’m relying on a mix of store-bought and homemade items that look impressive but require minimal effort. Here are some tried and true go-to’s:
- Bakery croissants and pastries: Arrange them on a cute stand or tray for fare that doubles as decor.
- Pre-made quiche: Serve it with a simple greens side salad, and you’ve got an instant main course.
- Yogurt parfait station: Set out some granola, berries, and honey, and let people make their own.
- Mimosa punch: Instead of making individual drinks, I’m mixing prosecco with a blend of orange and pineapple juice in a big pitcher. Easy, delicious, and no one has to play bartender all morning.
Plan budget-friendly activities
There’s something about Easter that just brings out the inner kid in all of us. Maybe it’s the pastel colors, maybe it’s the excuse to eat chocolate before noon, or maybe it’s the nostalgia of all the little traditions we grew up with. Either way, a good Easter brunch needs at least one activity to keep the energy up and add to the vibe—and the best part? You don’t need anything elaborate to make it happen.
Sidewalk chalk: If the weather’s nice, take things outside with a pack of sidewalk chalk. There’s no wrong way to do it—doodle flowers, draw a hopscotch course, or just let everyone go wild with their inner artist. It’s simple, nostalgic, and honestly, weirdly therapeutic.
CVS | Anker
Egg dyeing: It’s one of those once-a-year activities that somehow never gets old. All you need is an affordable dyeing kit, some eggs, and a little creativity, and boom—you’ve got an easy, low-cost activity that doubles as decor when you’re done. Plus, there’s just something so satisfying about lining up all the finished eggs and admiring the (sometimes unintentional) art.
CVS | PAAS
Egg hunt or relay-style game: Easter wouldn’t feel complete without a little friendly competition. Fill some cute pastel eggs with tiny prizes or just leave them empty and turn it into a speed round: Who can collect the most the fastest? Who can balance one on a spoon without dropping it? It doesn’t matter how old you are—the second an egg hunt starts, the competitive streak kicks in.
CVS | Cottondale
PASS Tie Dye Egg decorating, EGG CHALK, these egg shell containers
All in all, Easter brunch isn’t about pulling off a five-star menu—it’s about good food, good company, and enjoying the moment. And if I can do it without stressing out or blowing my budget? That’s a major win.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editoral Assistant
As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
This post is sponsored by CVS but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.