Come On Over | Food52's guide to gathering.

Welcome to Come On Over, Food52's newsletter about hosting life's big and little moments. This month, guest editor Lidey Heuck — recipe developer, food writer, and author of Cooking in Real Life — shares her thoughtful approach to hosting and cooking for the people you love.

I may be the mother of a 16-month-old, but my mom is still the mother in my life. I don’t have many memories of cooking with her as a kid, but I do remember the scenes she created—candlelit dinners, holiday greenery in every doorway, even a birthday party where the kids were invited to draw all over the walls before my parents renovated.

Now that I have a daughter of my own, I feel the reins in my hands. I can’t wait to cook with Holly as she grows up, but more than that, I want to instill in her an appreciation for finding magic in everyday moments. The little details that make an ordinary occasion feel special and transform it into an indelible memory. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for doing just that.

More With Less

For a 5-minute, statement table setting, opt for individual stems in bud vases over a traditional flower arrangement. It looks casual and cool, and you can play with different types and colors of flowers.

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Moms Want Steak

This steak and arugula salad with pickled peppers and blue cheese is funky, bold, and pairs perfectly with a glass of full-bodied rosé or a chilled red. Skirt steak is forgiving on the grill and a great choice for beginner cooks, or whomever you’d like to cook for you on Mother’s Day!

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Fun Placecards

Place cards tell your guests where to sit, but with a little creativity, they can also add personality to your table and serve as conversation starters. I’ve used vintage seed packets, postcards, recipe cards, playing cards—the list goes on! Plus, they become a little memento for your friends to take home from dinner.

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Strawberry Tiramisu

This mashup between strawberry shortcake and tiramisu is a total crowd-pleaser, and the perfect way to celebrate fleeting strawberry season. If you’re hosting on Mother’s Day, it’s a great dessert to make a day in advance, too.

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Bring the Outside In

You don’t need a beautiful garden to make the most of spring. I collect small terra cotta pots and plant annuals in them for pops of cheer all around the house. The only hard part is remembering to water them all!

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Pastries in Bed

My ideal Mother’s Day morning: sleeping in, having coffee and pastries delivered to bed, snuggles with the little one, and plenty of time to catch up on all my magazines before ever setting two feet on the ground.

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