Holiday Crafts & Ideas Blog

So, lazy Sunday, one week before Easter day. I’ve blown out so many eggs I’m a bit dizzy, but it’ll be worth it when I decorate them tomorrow. Which brings me to the first thing I love this Easter:

1. Martha Stewart Crafts Egg Dress-up Kit

Does anyone do it better than Martha? This little kit makes 12 decorating eggs, and includes everything you need to create little carrot tops, bunnies, birds and chicks. So sweet!

2. Classic Little Golden Books

They’re the perfect vintage-style addition to a young person’s Easter basket. The reissue of some of our favourite childhood stories with their distinctive artwork and gold spines is fabulous. I stock up at Wal-mart when I see them and they end up being a present for both child and parent!  I’m giving two away this holiday, to a friend’s little girl. The Kitten Who Thought He Was a Mouse, and, of course, The Little Red Hen.

3. Artisanal Hot-Cross Buns

I bought Ace Bakery’s version, and they are divine. Sort of halfway between scone and hot-cross bun. Too bad there’s only six in the package…

4. Easter Lilies

There’s absolutely nothing like the delicate fragrance of one of these beauties to bring spring celebrations to mind. Choose the ones that aren’t quite in bloom and they’ll be perfectly perfect on Easter morning, filling the house with a heavenly scent. (Remember, though, they’re toxic to cats if eaten, so be careful with them.)

5. Fred Astaire

The classic movie Easter Parade is sure to be playing this week, and I have to say, I still love watching Fred Astaire. Christmas may belong to Bing Crosby and Jimmy Stewart, but I think spring and Fred go hand-in-hand. Most of my favourite Fred Astaire movies are on in the spring—Funny Face, Royal Wedding, The Gay Divorcée, Top Hat, You Were Never Lovelier—they all seem to have that carefree feeling.

Whatever you do this week, take time to enjoy one of the little pleasures that make the most of the season!

I’m glad I have children in my family. Easter is a holiday to indulge in giving all kinds of trinkets in the prettiest spring shades (without spending Christmas-sized $$), and having fun making decorations for the table. At my house, my son also receives a basket from the Easter bunny—although these days its usually filled with Lego. But this year I’m going to do a little something for everyone at the dinner table, and it won’t include chocolate.

Have a knitter in the family? Add a skein of pretty yarn. An avid reader? The newest paperback will be a hit. Salt water taffy, in all its lovely pastel colours, will look amazing thrown in. Some stickers for a crafter, some labels for the person who loves to make preserves. A tiny book of Sudoku puzzles for the frequent traveller. It doesn’t have to be big, or expensive—indeed, for Easter it shouldn’t be—but it is nice to know that someone is thinking about you. Wrap it all with pretty vintage ribbon and you’ve got a perfect table favour or hostess gift!

I’m a big fan of a long, low centrepiece on the special occasion dinner table, and this year I’ve decided you can never underestimate the power of grass. Look outside right now and all you see is brown, yellow, muddy groundcover (I know, I know, we’re lucky it’s not still snow). But I was surfing through some websites today and saw some images of grass, and right away I felt as though inspiration had entered the room. Immediately I thought of summer, and heatwaves, and bright colours, and walking in bare feet.

I think some pots of grass would make a fantastic centrepiece this Easter. You could do individual pots at each place setting, or lined up in a row down the table, or even do just one long tray of grass. If you start growing it now, it will be a good height by Easter Sunday. Sprouts or ferns would also work well. You can nestle in some eggs and chicks, or add a few crocus or lily of the valley to the mix for interest. Voilà, you’re done!