Lucy-Rose
I don't know about you, but as soon as spring arrives immediately, I am a better person. I no longer want to complete my transformation into a hibernating bear. Instead, I'm a morning person again, full of hope and vitamin D. Clearly, I thrive in daylight. Then before you know it, it is Easter. Whether you are a Christian or not, Easter feels hopeful. At the very least you get chocolate eggs and potentially a roast dinner. At best, Jesus redeemed the whole of humanity, so everyone's a winner. With this post, I thought it would be fun to share some of my Easter traditions with you.
I have fond memories of making Easter nests with my mother, with the tiny fluffy plastic chicks and as many mini eggs that would fit. Now I make them with my children. If you've never mixed melted chocolate and crushed shredded wheat cereal, then I'm sorry to say, you had a deprived childhood. Honestly, if you take nothing away from this post, please just go and make a chocolate Easter nest. (You'll need about 200g chocolate and 90-100g of cereal, melt the chocolate and combine with the cereal until completely coated, put into cupcake cases or a baking tin, top with mini eggs, chicks and if you're feeling rogue, perhaps a few jelly bunnies, and let them set. Yum!)
Just in case you thought I was a tad judgemental, never fear, I also had a deprived childhood. I am one of the few that probably never has a roast at Easter, I don't really know why but for a holiday based on new life, it seems rather barbaric to cook a lamb. I'm not opposed to eating it, I just find the juxtaposition fascinating. Although every year I contemplate cooking a roast, I am yet to follow through. Perhaps 2023 will be my year. Although at this point, why break tradition?
However, I do have many memories of Easter egg hunts ranging from the simple ones my parents put out around the garden, to running through the local park looking for large plastic eggs filled with small toys and chocolate. Now I live in a city centre flat, so I have to banish my children to the bathroom whilst I hide as many eggs as possible around the different rooms whilst they wait impatiently. Then I put some music on, shout '3, 2, 1 GO!' And watch them run round hunting for them like cats looking for catnip. Honestly, it's hilarious and I get so much joy from seeing them have fun!
Last year, we also began painting eggs and experimenting with dipping them in food colouring (this didn't go quite as well as hoped). My daughter loves the opportunity to get the paints out and this is a great activity to do with any age. The older ones can have a go at more complex designs and the younger ones can just splash paint onto an egg and it's adorable because they're little. Just learn from my mistake and don't forget to hard boil the eggs first! Oops!
As a child I also often enjoyed being sent the occasional £5 from a grandparent towards an easter egg. Easter has never been a monetary gift holiday for our family and so it was always exciting to have the opportunity to buy myself something else other than chocolate. This occasionally happens now for our children too and due to this they now have a plethora of bunny toys. Usually bought because they normally get enough chocolate to last them till the next Easter!
Finally, we always go to church, and remember the reason for Easter. It's always a special time and the kids love it! Last year our local church had an Easter party on the Saturday with pancakes and crafts and then on the Sunday there were donkey rides and ice cream after the service! I hope when my kids are old (!!) like me, they pass their special memories and traditions onto their families.
It's never too late to start a new tradition. This year I have seen a recipe for cheesecakes in half an easter egg which sounds equally as ridiculous as it does fun. Maybe I'll give it a go!
On that note, I wish you all a happy Easter. I hope you have fun with all your traditions!
