EASTER-ING WITH THE SHORES

Easter has always been a major holiday in my household growing up. In fact, my Mema’s absolute favorite holiday was Easter. Her birthday was in the middle of April, so she was pretty much celebrating all month long! Every year, she and my mom would decorate their homes to the hilt in two-fold celebration of the new life blooming all around in the springtime, as well as the new life found in the death and resurrection of our Savior at Easter. It is a tradition that my mom still honors today and has passed down to my sister and me. We decorate together while sipping champagne, visiting like old friends and letting our whimsical creativity take over. Such a special time that I will always cherish and hope to pass down one day.

It’s certainly been an odd time for celebrations this year. Justin and I have 3 out of 4 parents with birthdays spanning from the end of March to the beginning of April, so we’ve had to postpone their celebrations until… well, we’re really not sure when. Sound familiar? I know we’re not the only ones in this predicament, especially with Easter just a few days away. My mom and I weren’t able to decorate together this year either, so I’ve decided to re-live last year’s wonderful Easter celebration and décor at Justin’s and my former Florida home!

TABLESCAPES & TASTY TREATS

We were hosting a baby shower at my house the weekend after Easter and the theme was “Somebunny Sweet is on The Way”, so it was extra special decorating for both occasions at once. Mom and I had such fun in the weeks leading up to it all, shopping for the decorative bunnies and eggs and decorating my home with them! We mixed and matched all types of textures and finishes (mostly found at Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s).

All of the pieces we collected paired perfectly with my favorite Easter egg garland (and matching picks) from Pier 1 Imports, which were a gift from my mom several years prior. She had originally bought them for us to decorate Justin’s and my first house with, for the first Easter we ever hosted. I had so loved decorating with them that first year, so I made sure the joy continued each Easter thereafter, and in our next house too.

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While my parents celebrated Easter in Wilmington with my sister’s family last year, Justin’s side of the family worshipped with us at the Encounter Easter Service at FBC Palmetto, followed by brunch and fun festivities at our home. I have to tell you, it is one of my most treasured celebrations in that house and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have made those memories there last year!

Most of the brunch dishes were served on my Mema’s pink Depression Glass while the rest was supplemented with pieces of metal serve-ware I’ve collected, as well as an egg plate we have used at my family’s Easter brunches for years.

OUR BRUNCH MENU:

• Hummus with Pita Chips and Baby Carrots
• Mini Chocolate Eggs
• Tropical Fruit Salad (Strawberries, Mango, Blueberries, Pineapple)
• Cheese & Crackers (easy grazing for the kiddos with slices and cubes)
• Deviled Eggs (sort of… read on)
• Flower Cut-out Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (those went fast, hence the empty footed plate!)
• Mini Ham Rolls (I use Sister Shubert Parker House Style rolls)
• Salami-wrapped Asparagus (rolled up with whipped cream cheese to bind it all together)
• Prosciutto- and Pepperoni-wrapped Panino
• Key Lime Sugar Cookie Cups
• Easter Bunny Dirt Cups (I used Peeps Bunnies and Bunny Cookies)

Side note: This spread was a total Instacart win, and this link will get you $20 off your first order!

So, one memory from last Easter that I won’t soon forget is me mistaking our Paprika for Taco Seasoning. Yep, I turned about 80% of our Deviled Eggs into Huevos Diablos. [facepalm] It was oh-so embarrassing, especially after trying so hard to make everything so Southern Living picture-perfect. Thankfully, everyone was super gracious and ate the accidental culinary creation with a smile. They are also responsible for coining its new Latin name. 🙂 Honestly though, the blunder actually helped this high-strung hostess to slow down, refocus and just be present to enjoy the celebration. So I didn’t capture the picture-perfect spread; I did, however, get the pictures that made it all worth remembering.

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THE HUNT & THE LOOT

The Easter Eggs we provided for the hunt were a huge hit! We ordered all of them via Amazon Prime and most of them were already pre-filled with the prizes (HUGE time saver). Plus, there were enough in each order that I had plenty to send a fun little care package to my nephews in North Carolina too!

Here are the prize-filled Easter eggs we purchased:

• Mini Bubble Wands
• Tiny Plush Bunnies
• Easter Themed Rubber Duckies
• Silicone Easter Bracelets
• Colorful Mini Pullback Cars

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THE ENTERTAINMENT

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching those sweet littles [and some adults too] chase each other while wearing the inflatable Bunny Ears Ring Toss Game we had ordered. Another favorite moment was when Justin entertained all of us with his newfound Giant Bubble-making skills! Once again, Amazon Prime for the win.

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THAT’S A WRAP

What are some of your favorite Easter traditions? Are there any fun activities your family is trying out this Easter? Let me know in the comments, I’d love some new ideas for next year!