Spring is in the air, and with Easter just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to add a little seasonal charm with a simple project and some sweet treats. Whether you’re hosting a festive brunch, preparing for an Easter egg hunt, or simply setting the scene for a cozy family weekend, these simple yet stylish DIY projects will help you create a beautifully decorated space with minimal effort. This year, we’re embracing easy, elegant Easter décor—projects that use everyday materials in creative ways. From our glass treat containers filled with pastel candies to a whimsical bunny topiary, these ideas will bring a touch of spring magic to your table. The best part? These projects are simple to make ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Here’s how to make each project: Glass Treat Containers: A Sweet & Simple Centerpiece A beautifully set Easter table doesn’t need to be complicated. Our glass treat containers are a fun and easy way to create a charming, edible centerpiece using candies that are already in abundance this time of year. We used some of the same glass containers from our Pantry Reset Project. What You’ll Need: Clear glass containers, apothecary jars, or vases (varying heights and sizes work best) We prefer and odd number of containers (3, 5 or 7) If you have pets, we HIGHLY recommend using apothecary jars with lids Colorful Easter candies (jelly beans, pastel M&Ms, speckled eggs, candy coated dried fruit and nuts, grass and mini chocolate bunnies) Ribbon or twine for a finishing touch How to Make Them: Fill your glass containers with layers of Easter candies, creating a soft ombré effect or a playful mix of colors. Then top one or two with a chocolate bunny For a little extra elegance, tie a simple ribbon or piece of twine around the jar. Arrange several jars down the center of your table, on a sideboard, or as a fun accent on your kitchen counter. These treat-filled jars not only look beautiful but also double as sweet treats for guests to enjoy. We like to mix them in with other holiday décor (eggs, bunnies, chicks, teapots, candles…) that we have collected over the year as well as new additions like our bunny topiary. Bunny Topiary: A Whimsical Easter Accent Nothing says Easter quite like a bunny, and our bunny topiary is a playful and stylish way to bring a little greenery indoors. This charming project adds texture to your décor and can be placed on a console table, dining table, or mixed in with your holiday display as part of a festive Easter brunch buffet. What You’ll Need: 1 small Styrofoam ball (4 inch) 1 medium Styrofoam ball (6 inch) 7 wooden dowels (each about 8 inches long – wooden chopsticks also work) A package of moss sheet A package of green Spanish moss A glue gun and glue sticks A simple terra cotta or decorative pot Floral foam to fit your base pot (to secure the bunny topiary using 3 wooden dowels) Extra moss to fill in gaps Scissors (to cut the ears) Ribbon – select a color/style that matches your décor (for a bow around the bunny’s neck) How to Make It: Using the moss sheet and glue, cover both Styrofoam balls with moss so you do not see any of the foam. Working with smaller strips may be easier. Pierce the bottom of the medium ball with 3 wooden dowls and push them into the ball about 2 inches. Make sure the dowels will fit the depth of your container. Center the ball over the pot filled with floral foam. Push the ball into the foam leaving a little space. After finishing the topiary, you will cover the foam with green Spanish moss and push the entire topiary into the foam. Repeat step one with the small foam ball. Center the small ball over the medium ball and secure with two wooden dowels. Cut four pieces of the moss sheet in the shape of bunny ears. Place a dowel in between two pieces of moss with about 2 inches of the dowel extending out of the bottom. Glue around the edges. Position and secure the ears to the head. Add a ribbon with a bow around the neck of the bunny. Finish your project by covering the foam base with green Spanish moss and secure your bunny by pushing it all the way into the floral foam base. The result? A fresh, festive, and slightly whimsical Easter accent that can stay in your home long after the holiday. Bringing It All Together With these three effortless projects, your home will feel beautifully decorated and ready for Easter—without the stress of last-minute décor scrambling. Whether you’re setting a table for brunch, organizing an Easter egg hunt, or just adding seasonal charm to your space, these simple, sweet, seasonal secrets are easy DIYs that will help you create a festive, welcoming atmosphere. We hope these ideas inspire you to bring a fresh, creative touch to your Easter celebrations this year. If you try either of these projects, we’d love to see! Share your photos with us @ShookhillSecret. Now all you have to do is pull together an Easter outfit and we’re helping with that too! We love a classic maxi dress and sandals. You can find both of those and some beautiful accessories in our What to Wear recommendations. We’re doing our best to make Easter easy with our simple, sweet and seasonal secrets – so hop to it and check them out!
Uncategorized
The Only Sugar Cookie Recipe You’ll Ever Need…
Some recipes are just timeless—like a well-loved KitchenAid mixer, they become a staple in your kitchen, year after year, holiday after holiday. Our ShookHill Sugar Cookies fall squarely into that category. This isn’t just any sugar cookie recipe; it’s one that has been passed down from the owner of a charming patisserie, and we’ve been baking it for over 20 years. Through birthdays, Christmas celebrations, Easter gatherings, Graduations, showers, countless event gifts and even simple afternoon tea, this dough has proven to be the most reliable, versatile, and delicious foundation for beautifully decorated cookies. It’s easy to make, holds its shape when baked, and is the perfect blank canvas for decorating with colored royal icing. Best of all? The dough can be made ahead of time, the cookies bake beautifully in advance, and they pack well in cellophane bags and travel like a dream—making them ideal for both gifting and entertaining. Why This Sugar Cookie Recipe is a Must-Have There are plenty of sugar cookie recipes out there, but this one stands apart for a few key reasons: A Dream to Work With: The dough rolls out smoothly, doesn’t stick, and holds intricate shapes well. Make-Ahead Friendly: Mix up the dough a few days in advance, wrap and chill for later use. Bakes Beautifully: No spreading, puffing, or losing those crisp edges. Endlessly Adaptable: Use it for classic cut-out cookies, sandwich cookies, or even as a base for fruit tarts. Decorating and Using Your Sugar Cookies Over the years, we’ve used this recipe for everything from intricately iced Christmas cookies to simple, rustic Easter egg shapes. When we are packing these as gifts in cellophane bags with our favorite gift labels, we always use royal icing and allow to dry completely before packaging (1-2 days depending on your humidity level). When preparing to serve, here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy them: Classic Royal Icing: Smooth, glossy, and perfect for detailed designs and packing. Buttercream Frosting: Soft, creamy, and a hit when decorating with a group. Sugared Simplicity: A light sprinkle of sanding sugar before baking adds an elegant sparkle. Dipped in Chocolate: Half-dip in chocolate (white, milk or dark) and top with chopped fruit and nuts (pistachios and cranberries at Christmas) for a sophisticated treat. Or partially dipped in chocolate and then sprinkles (our Thanksgiving turkeys are a good example of this). Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies Every Time ✔ Chill the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes: This keeps the cookies from spreading and helps maintain crisp edges.✔ Use quality extracts: Pure Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste makes all the difference.✔ Rotate the baking sheets: Halfway through baking for even coloring.✔ Store properly: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. This recipe has been a workhorse in our kitchen for decades, and we can’t wait to see how you use it for your own celebrations. Whether you’re baking for a festive holiday, a special gathering, or just a cozy afternoon at home, we know this sugar cookie recipe is the only one you need and sure to become a favorite in your household, too. We’d love to see what you create! Tag us @ShookhillSecret and share your cookie photos with us.