Easter, just like every other major holiday, has developed many traditions throughout its existence. Many of these traditions are fun and quirky, while others are more serious. All of them, however, are interesting and serve as significant parts of celebrating the holiday.
Easter Egg TraditionsEggs have managed to find their way into all aspects of Easter. These symbols of new life have been made into many different forms of candy and are part of several Easter traditions including:
Photo by asinila, sxc.hu
- Easter egg decorating – Every year, friends and families gather to decorate eggs, and kits for egg dyeing start appearing in stores before the first signs of spring. These kits include food coloring for dyeing vinegar (in which to dip the eggs), decorative shrink-wraps to put around the eggs, special crayons for drawing on the eggs, and more. Once decorated, the Easter eggs are generally used for Easter egg hunts, egg rolls, and eating.
- Egg rolling – An egg roll is a racing game, usually played by children, in which the object is to use a long-handled spoon to push a decorated Easter egg through the grass to the finish line. The most famous Easter egg roll is held annually on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
This particular event involves more than just the race, but also White House personalities dressed in Easter Bunny costumes, speeches, a book-reading by a Cabinet secretary, and exhibits of decorated eggs.
- Easter egg hunts – This is an activity where parents (generally) hide decorated Easter eggs or colorful plastic eggs filled with candy around their home or yard for children to "hunt." This is sometimes a contest to see who can find the most eggs, while other times it's just for the fun of finding them.
- Egg tapping – Also known as egg knocking, this is a game in which each participant receives a hard-boiled egg. The goal is to tap the eggs of others with your own egg, trying to break theirs but not your own.
Easter BasketsThe Easter basket is a tradition that closely resembles the Christmas tradition of giving gifts. In this scenario though, it's not Santa Claus that makes the delivery: it's the Easter Bunny. Instead of wrapped gifts and stockings, children receive a basket full of candy and other treats. Popular Easter basket items include chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans, and marshmallow chicks. Two candies in particular are associated with these Easter: Cadbury chocolate eggs and marshmallow Peeps.
Easter FoodWhat holiday would be complete without traditional foods? Here are a few of Easter's most popular food items:
- The "Sunday roast" (usually roast lamb or ham)
- Simnel cake (a fruit cake that has 11 marzipan balls on top, representing the 11 faithful apostles)
- Nut breads or rolls
- Hot cross buns (spiced buns that have a cross on top of them. Traditionally associated with Good Friday, but have blended with Easter traditions as well)
ChurchEaster is a holiday of Christian origin that is meant to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crucifixion (Good Friday). Many families across the world choose to observe the occasion by attending an Easter Sunday service. This service is usually a joyful occasion, filled with traditional Easter songs and hymns about Christ's triumph over the grave and of his forgiveness offered to mankind.
Easter Sunday services are usually events to get dressed up for. Women will often wear Easter dresses and sometimes even purchase new ones every year. At the same time, men will wear suits or khaki pants with bright shirts and ties. The bright colors are meant to be reflective of both the celebration and of spring.
During Easter, there's so much for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy together. Incorporating any or all of these traditions into your Easter celebration is sure to make it memorable.