The holiday season always inspires us to bring a little extra creativity into our homes. This year, instead of buying new decorations, we’ve turned to materials that reflect who we are and what we love. At Shookhill Secret, we believe that the most meaningful décor is the kind that tells a story — and that can be as simple as reimagining everyday items into something festive or using your favorite medium to create personalized décor (and gifts). Every year, we make trees out of clay, but this year, we are sharing how you can use everyday items to personalize your holiday décor. Our current favorites? Two DIY holiday trees that couldn’t be more personal: one made with cleaned oyster shells (a nod to our coastal love) and another crafted from leftover magazines (perfect for book lovers, travelers, or anyone with a stack of old issues tucked away). Most trees start with a cardboard or foam base and using a glue gun, we attach our items. Oyster Shell Tree If you’ve collected oyster shells over the years, you’ll love how beautifully they can transform into a holiday centerpiece. After cleaning and drying the shells, we layer them onto a cone form, starting from the bottom and overlapping as we work our way up. The natural pearlescent finish catches the light in the most enchanting way. It’s coastal, elegant, and completely unique. Magazine Tree Stacks of old magazines have a way of accumulating, and this project gives them a second life. By rolling or folding the pages into cones and attaching them to a tree base, you can create a playful, colorful tree that’s filled with personal meaning. It’s also a wonderful way to reuse and recycle — a win-win. Countless Options, Just Like You The beauty of DIY holiday trees is that they can be whatever you want them to be. Think about the materials that reflect you and your family’s interests. Maybe it’s Scrabble tiles for game lovers, felt balls for crafters, cardstock for scrapbookers, yarn for knitters, or even ornaments collected over the years. The options are endless, and each one carries a little piece of your story. Why We Love This Project Creating these trees is about more than just décor. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the process, and letting your personality shine through your holiday home. And the best part? No two trees are ever alike. They’re as individual as the families who make them — which makes them extra special. So this holiday season, take a look around your home or gather items that feel meaningful. With a little imagination, you’ll have a DIY holiday tree that’s uniquely yours.
Make-Ahead Halloween Dinner Ideas…
Halloween is one of those holidays that sneaks up on us. Between costumes, trick-or-treating, and last-minute party plans, it’s easy for dinner to feel like an afterthought. The trick, of course, is to plan ahead so that everyone — including the host — can enjoy the evening without stress. At Shookhill Secret, we love simple meals that feel festive but don’t require fussing in the kitchen. This year, we’ve created a make-ahead Halloween dinner plan that covers cocktails (featuring our Halloween cocktail sign), a grazing board, kale salad, a hearty main, and just the right touch of sweetness for dessert. Everything can be prepped in advance, leaving you free to join in the fun. Start with a Seasonal Charcuterie Board Every good gathering begins with a snack, and a simple charcuterie board sets the tone without much effort. Arrange a selection of cheeses (a sharp cheddar and creamy brie are favorites), crackers, fruit, and a handful of nuts. Keep it unfussy and seasonal — slices of crisp pears or honeycrisp apples add the perfect autumn touch. Guests can nibble as they arrive, keeping things light and social. A Bright and Crunchy Fall Salad Next comes our Fall Kale Salad. It’s hearty, seasonal, and can be assembled hours in advance. Toss chopped kale with shaved Parmesan, honeycrisp apple slices, dried cranberries, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Just before serving, drizzle with a honey mustard vinaigrette. The flavors are bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced — exactly what you want alongside a heartier main dish. A Make-Ahead Main: Roasted Veggie Pasta For the centerpiece of the meal, we turn to a cozy pasta dish. Roasted vegetables made into a delicious sauce with an immersion blender— think butternut squash, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes — are tossed with pasta and sprinkled with fresh parmesean cheese. Assemble everything a day or two ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. On Halloween night, simply bake it until warm and bubbling. The result is comforting, hearty, and guaranteed to please even the pickiest ghouls. Something Sweet and Simple When the night winds down, a little sweetness is always welcome. For dessert, we bake off cookies straight from frozen dough balls we keep on hand in the freezer. It’s the easiest way to have warm, homemade treats without the extra prep. Pair them with hot cocoa for the kids or a spiced cider for the adults, and you’ve got the perfect ending to a festive evening. Why It Works The beauty of this menu is that it feels celebratory without keeping you in the kitchen. With most of the prep work done days ahead, you’ll be free to enjoy trick-or-treating, hand out candy, or celebrate with your guests. It’s a Halloween win: fun, festive, and stress-free.