Recipes and Fun Activities For Easter

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It's that time of year again when daffodils will soon be in bloom, trees will be budding, and a lot of folks will be anxious to get out and work in their flower beds. It's called spring! And with spring comes the Easter bunny. An exciting and fun time for both kids and parents.

My all-time favorite Easter candy were those marshmallow peeps. Every spring (to this day), I indulge in a package or two. I love them so.

There are lots of fun activities for kids on this special spring holiday. Go beyond egg decorating and help your little ones decorate cute things for the house. Maybe some homemade crayola pictures to display in the windows or perhaps create an Easter tree. Egg relays are a lot of fun as well. You know the game with the egg and the spoon where teams are paired up and the winners are the ones who carries the eggs from point A to point B? This game can be mixed with children and parents for even more fun!

Cookie decorating can be a fun activity too. Bake the cookies ahead of time and make them in all shapes. Egg shaped, bunny shaped, or anything you wish. Make sure you have plenty of pastel food coloring for the frosting along with lots of sprinkles. Another cool idea...have your kids help you prepare the Easter meal. Put a special, homemade apron on them and they will feel like a real chef. It's pretty much tradition to prepare a ham for the meal. But what can you make as side dishes and desserts?

Let's explore a couple of ideas...

Easter Cupcakes

Ingredients

(for basic cake recipe-about 12 cupcakes)

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup self rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs milk
2 large eggs
12 Easter-themed cupcake liners
frosting
food coloring
sprinkles
cupcake or muffin pan
small chocolate bunnies

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. With a wooden spoon, mix the butter and sugar together until smooth, ( about 2 min). Add the eggs and milk and stir thoroughly.

Gently fold in the flour and mix until completely blended. Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners. Place the pan of cupcakes on a shelf just above the center for 15 minutes.

After cooled, frost the cupcakes in the color of your choice. The kids will have fun decorating the cupcakes with the sprinkles and the chocolate bunnies.

Family's Favorite Potato Salad

Ingredients

2 lb small red potatoes, unpeeled
6 eggs
3 celery stalks
1/4 cup finely diced red onion

For Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 green onion, including the tender green tops, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Boil the potatoes and eggs. I always put them in the fridge overnight to prevent the potato salad from turning out mushy. Peel the potatoes and the eggs and cut into small chunks and toss them into a large bowl. Add the celery and red onion and toss briefly to mix. Set aside.

For Dressing: In a small bowl and using a fork, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard seeds, green onion, parsley, dry mustard, salt and pepper, mixing well. Pour the dressing over the potato and egg mixture and mix well.

For best flavor, cover and chill for up to 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle the parsley over the top and serve.

Extra Family Activity

With today's global economic conditions...there are many children and families in need. Why not make up some special baskets that you can donate? This is something that kids can help with as well. You will be putting smiles on many faces. Share the joy of giving this Easter.

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Easter's Secret History

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As a child I remember sitting through service on Easter Sunday. The longest sermon of the year, although for some reason I was intrigued. Maybe it was because I knew that when I got home a big Easter basket, a few new toys and so much chocolate candy that half of it would see the following Easter was waiting for me at home.

In all of my gluttony on Easter Sunday I never failed to question where my chocolate Jesus was. Where were my chocolate burrow, or palm tree and crucifix? This is what Pastor Bob talked about in his sermon every year. He never mentioned an Easter bunny, or an Easter basket. He never alluded to a biblical Easter egg hunt.

As I would come down from my sugar high and smile proudly at my bounty of found plastic Easter Eggs filled with money and chocolate I no longer cared why, I was just happy it was all mine.

Now I'm thirty years old, with two little boys of my own running around the yard searching for their share of the Easter bounty, and I have to ask myself why all over again.

Have you ever wondered why the celebration of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection is celebrated with an Easter bunny and colored Easter eggs? Well, the answers may surprise you. They surprised me.
Like many holidays, including Christmas, Halloween and Mayday, Easter's roots lie deep in the pagan religion, dating back centuries before Christianity.

Paganism is the earliest known religion. Although there are many facades of worship encompassed in the pagan religion the most relevant description of pagan belief is the worship of the Goddess, otherwise known as Mother Nature. Despite popular belief pagans do not worship Satan, practice human sacrifice or conjure up black magic.

While most of us know Easter as the celebration of Christ's resurrection it was first a pagan celebration known as Eastre and celebrated in central and northern Europe. It was, and still is for some, the celebration of the Vernal (Spring) Equinox and the Fertility Goddess, Eastre.

The Christian church converted many pagans by infusing the Christian God and customs with already existing pagan tradition and celebration rituals. Easter is one of many examples. Some may say it was an evil trick while others may say it was genius marketing. In order to convert the pagans, Christians chose to celebrate on or around the dates of pagan celebrations, keeping most of the rituals and traditions intact and only substituting their God, their names and their religion.

It is no coincidence that Easter and Eastre are nearly identical in spelling. Nor is it a coincidence that Easter takes place around the same time as the spring equinox. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ while Eastre celebrates the resurrection of spring.

I know what you're thinking. None of this answers the original question of 'Why the celebration of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection is celebrated with an Easter bunny and colored Easter eggs?'

It's easy to believe that the Easter bunny is a creation of commercial America. Well, that's wrong. At the celebration of the pagan festival of Eastre, pagan's worshiped a rabbit, the earthly symbol of the Goddess, Eastre. Thus, Peter Cotton Tail. Eastre was also symbolized with an egg. The egg symbolized fertility in nature and the season's rebirth from the long winter months. Eggs were used in these celebrations as well. The eggs were painted with bright colors and, again they represented the resurrection of spring.

They were then given as gifts to fellow pagans.
Although I now know why my children eat chocolate bunnies and search for colored eggs on Easter Sunday, and I have a pretty good idea why Pastor Bob has never mentioned paganism and the Fertility Goddess, Eastre in his sermon, I have to wonder is my family really better off knowing that the Easter bunny originated from another religion. I don't think so. The holidays are hectic enough without the thought of ancient religions dueling for our time and allegiance, besides there is something magical about the mystery of the Easter Bunny and his Easter Eggs.
But I am a man of equality so I would like to be the first, maybe ever, to wish you a happy Eastre, and it's more famous by product, Easter.
Happy Easter.

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History of Easter Gifts

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Easter gifts have a long and fascinating history. Gifting is tied to the holiday known as Easter, and ancient Pagan rituals focused at this time of year upon the renewal of the earth, the upcoming green new growth that the emerging sunlight and warmer weather encouraged, and the idea of birth and rebirth. The egg is a symbol of all of these ideas, and was adopted by and still is used in Christian Easter celebrations to this day.

To start, eggs were painted and decorated and used as gifts. They were given as a romantic gift to admirers, as well as to servants and children. People of Eastern Orthodox faiths made this tradition their own by dying their eggs red to symbolize Christ's blood, and on Easter day they would crack the eggs, to represent Christ breaking out of the tomb. As technology improved, there were hollow eggs crafted from cardboard that were filled with smaller gifts, typically food items. Hollow eggs were also formed from sugar, and were decorated with sugar royal icings. Perhaps the ultimate gift egg was the Fabergé egg, which was studded with real jewels and was given originally as a gift for the Czar of Russia. Around this time chocolate easter eggs were created, and soon became a favorite holiday tradition. As an extension of the egg, the chick was also associated with Easter, and today children will often find marshmallow chicks as a gift that was linked to the original prominence of the egg in the Easter celebration.

Another type of gift you will likely find in modern Easter baskets are rabbits, usually in the form of a toy stuffed rabbit or rabbit-shaped candies and chocolates. This tradition also traces back to early Pagan traditions. Rabbits are known for their ability to reproduce, and this idea of birth, especially in early spring when rabbits tend to give birth to their young, helped to tie them as yet another symbol of this holiday season.

Clothing was sometimes associated as an Easter gift. In the early Catholic tradition, if the faithful were baptized the night before Easter Sunday, they wore white robes for Easter week. If they were baptized before this night, then they got to wear new clothes. Everyone wearing their robes or new clothes could then take part in an Easter parade, which was a walk after mass on Easter Day.

Because of the association with a new growth cycle, gifts from the garden are also connected to Easter. Easter lilies are often given as gifts because they bloom around the time Easter is celebrated.

Easter baskets in early times contained gifts to the goddess Oestre in the hopes that she would grant a good harvest. Eggs were often collected in baskets as well. German legend of an Easter hare, later changed to rabbit, which would bring a basket filled with sweets and colored eggs to children on Easter morning, was brought to America by early German settlers, and the practice continues to this day.

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Decorating Easter Eggs

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Decorating an Easter egg is a very popular tradition, which is practiced all over. In many families, it is an activity where everybody takes part; and all of them have lots of fun doing it, especially kids. This is a great activity to keep the kids engaged; they do not like to sit idle, more so during any festival time. Encourage the child to use his/her talents and come up with an attractive design in their eggs, which they are decorating. Any bird egg is good to decorate the Easter eggs; but the large eggs with strong shells are ideal for this.

While many people prefer to decorate the eggs at home, some buy it from the stores. The stores have a huge collection of eggs in various patterns, prints and deigns. Buying the decorated egg, is the best option for you, if you are really short on time and yet do not miss out on using the eggs during the celebrations.

Tips to decorate Easter eggs

The simplest tip is to dip the eggs in colored dye. If you are hard pressed for time or you have not been able to arrange anything else, this is the way you should go. Working with real eggs can be pretty challenging, so arrange some artificial eggs for the kids. Keep all the materials that you will need for the decoration handy; you do not want to be running around to get them once you get going. Use lots of sequins and rhinestones to give the egg a pleasant dazzling look. Make sure, that kids do the decoration under adult supervision.

Ways to decorate the Easter egg

A simple way to do this can be to just use markers and make some attractive patterns on the shells.
Glittering stickers can be put all around the egg; it can also be put up in attractive patterns.
After dyeing the egg in color, put cooking spray all over it for an attractive look
Feather, fur and cloth pieces can easily be used to give a unique look to your Easter eggs
Attach miniature flowers and other beautiful patterns to the eggs with the help of craft glue
If you have it, flaunt it; use some precious gems and stones on your eggs!
Use fabric color with paint to make some designs on your Easter egg
Crayons are also a good choice, when it comes to decorating the eggs

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What Do Bunnies and Eggs Have to Do With Easter?

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The commercials with the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs have started again this year bringing in the Easter season. Talk about confusing! It makes me think back to when my children were younger, they were raised on a farm where we raised chickens and rabbits and they knew that bunnies had nothing to do with eggs no matter what the Cadbury bunny commercials say. With all the confusion I wanted to make sure that my children understood what the Easter season was really about and to assure them that they were correct, bunnies had nothing to do with eggs.

Since my children have been old enough to toddle about in Sunday school they had been introduced to the season by the making of palm branches and crying hosanna as they walked up the church aisles or across the platform at the front being a part of the junior church proclaiming the news that Jesus was coming. As modern day children get excited and giggle about their part of the service, is how I explained how the people of Jesus' day must have felt with the thought of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

And then just five days later on Good Friday the cries of the people changed from hosanna to chants of crucify him. God had a plan and Jesus had to die on the cross so that we would be able to go to heaven to live with God when we died. Although it is a sad thought that Jesus had to die we need to remember that he was willing to do this for us and take the time to thank him for loving us enough to do this for us. So Good Friday is a day that Christians can use to remember what Jesus did for us and to be thankful for his love for us.

Three days after Jesus died he rose from the dead and that is a day we call Easter. Easter is so important to us as Christians because our Savior is alive and in heaven living with God and interceding on our behalf. On Easter Sunday the church service starts the celebration of that day with special services such as sunrise service, church wide breakfasts and then an Easter message and special music. Afterwards many families gather together and celebrate at home with a special meal and family time.

So how did the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs come apart of this religious holiday? It is thought that in the 1700's German immigrants brought the tradition which includes the egg laying hare, representing fertility and new life. Slowly, this became a part of the Easter celebration. We enjoyed making this part of our Easter tradition as well just making sure that our children understood the true meaning of the Easter season.

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How to Choose Easter Themed Wedding Favours

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Firstly, you should think about ways in which you can bring the spring into your wedding theme. Think of seasonal flowers such as daffodils, lily of the valley, tulips, snowdrops and pansies. A great way to style floral arrangements is in cute Easter baskets or in egg cups. Scatter tables with spring petals and use fresh seasonal blooms in button holes and on top of your wedding cake.

If you want to keep your wedding theme a floral one, then your Easter wedding favours should come in the form of Lily of the Valley personalised tea bags or favours boxes matching your flower of choice. In other words, if you are having pansy arrangements, team the deep purple tones with purple square favour boxes and lemon yellow square favour boxes. These will have a striking appeal at place settings. Alternatively, tulips are a typical spring bloom and these can inject some colour to your floral arrangements. Tie the tulip theme into your favours by giving guests tulip mini gift bags filled with confectionery of your choice. Equally, if your flower of choice is going to be daffodils, present guests with yellow, orange or green favour boxes and finish them with daffodil head toppers. Due to the sturdy nature of daffodil stems, this bloom is an ideal choice for tying to napkins with coordinating ribbon.

You can easily get stylish Easter wedding favours is by using the Easter egg as your theme. Fill cute raffia birds' nests with yummy mini Chocolate Eggs as the ideal favour, guaranteed to impress even the most discerning of guests! Top hat favour boxes are a great idea too and once tied with seasonal spring coloured ribbons take on the appearance of the Easter bonnet. Shop bought Easter eggs also make great guest favours; simply present each guest with a shop bought Easter egg and finish it with some bright yellow organza ribbon and a handwritten 'Happy Easter' tag! The Easter egg theme can be continued with your place settings with a blown egg shell hand-painted with the guests' names. This is a cost effective option and although it takes a little time, guests will really appreciate the personal touch of such an idea.

Stuck for kids' favours? An ideal favour for the little ones would be a favour box featuring a chick, bunny or lamb. These can be filled with anything seasonal although Easter eggs of some form will usually go down well with younger guests. Alternatively, mini Easter cupcakes and miniature simnel cakes are a great enclosure for a co-ordinating favour box. You could present these to younger guests in ribbon clad Easter baskets passed round by your bridesmaids.

Finish the Easter feel of your tables with yellow gingham table linen, inviting guests to go on an Easter egg hunt and ensuring table centrepieces feature seasonal blooms and eggs!

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Bunny Bites and Egg Delights - Kids No Bake Easter Recipes

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Kids love Easter and decorating eggs but they also love to get in on the fun of making all the yummy treats. These kids Easter recipes are the perfect way to let them participate in the fun and make some delicious bunny bites and egg delights. The instructions for each of these are no-bake methods. You can bake your own items if you wish or just buy them store bought and then add the decorations to turn them into fun treats for this coming holiday.

Kids Easter Recipe #1

Easter Bonnet Cookies

These bonnets are made for eating and not for wearing even though they look so pretty.

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Wafers
Frosting
Decorating Gel
Fruit Roll Ups
Directions

Take a vanilla wafer and spread frosting on the bottom of the wafer.
Place it in the center of a larger sugar cookie frosting side down.
Now frost the entire thing (both cookies).
Wrap some fruit roll-ups around the center (where the wafer is) and gently tie it into a bow.
Finish it off with some fun designs using the decorating gel.
If you want different colors for your bonnets simply add some food coloring to the frosting before you cover the cookies.

Kids Easter Recipes #2

Easter Egg Spinach Dip

This traditional bread and dip recipe is perfect for your party this coming holiday.

Ingredients

Large Oval Shaped Loaf of Bread (Rye or Pumpernickel)
Spinach Dip (store bought or make your own)
Yellow Food Coloring
Directions

Cut the loaf in half lengthwise.
Hollow out the middle of both halves.
Take half the spinach dip and place in a bowl.
Add yellow food coloring and blend in until you have the desired color.
Place the yellow colored spinach dip directly in the middle of the bread bowl.
Place the remaining spinach dip all around the center.
With the bread pieces taken from the middle, tear into small pieces and place all around the bread and serve.
Tip: Add some cheese amongst the bread by using a small scoop and block cheese. These will look like jelly beans placed in with the bread pieces. If you want you can decorate the outside of the bread (egg) using a spray cheese.

Kids Easter Recipe #3

Easter Bunny Cupcakes

These adorable bunnies won't last long once the kids see them. With their floppy ears and whisker noses, they look so cute and cuddly.

Ingredients

Cupcakes (store bought or make your own)
White Frosting
Black and Red Licorice strings
Nutter Butter Cookies
Brown and Red M & Ms
Directions

Frost the cupcakes (if not already bought that way) with white frosting.
Place 2 Nutter Butters on each side of the cupcake at the back (these are the ears). You can add some pink frosting to highlight the bunny ears.
Place 2 brown M & Ms in the cupcake for eyes and a red one for the nose.
Add some whiskers using the black licorice.
Finish this yummy bunny of with a smile using the red licorice.
Kids Easter Recipe # 4

Rice Krispie Easter Baskets

Rice Krispie treats make the perfect ingredient for shaping into fun designs. These Easter baskets are so fun to make and decorate.

Ingredients

Rice Krispies
Marshmallows
White Frosting
Green Food Coloring
Jelly beans or Oval Shaped candies
Directions

Make the Rice Krispie treats as directed on the box.
Use a small bowl and place up side down.
Spray with cooking spray.
Press the Rice Krispies treat onto the bowl to shape it into a basket. Let it cool before removing.
On a sheet of waxed paper press some Rice Krispie treats into the shape of a handle. You may need to measure the bowl to make sure you make this long enough.
Turn it right side up and place on waxed paper.
In a mixing bowl combine the frosting and green food coloring.
Spread the frosting on the inside of the bowl to make it look like Easter grass. You can use other colors if you want.
Press the candies into the frosting to fill the basket with eggs.
Take your Rice Krispie handle and place frosting on both ends. Press on each side of the basket to hold in place.
To brighten up this kids Easter recipe you can use fruit roll-ups and wrap it around the handle for some added decorations.

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