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1. The Origin of Easter
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. It marks the
end of Lent, which is the forty day period of fasting beginning on
Ash Wednesday and culminating on Easter Sunday. Preceded by Holy
Thursday and Good Friday; the day Christ died, Christians attend
Church services on this solemn day to participate in the Stations of
the Cross, denoting his Passion and death.
On Holy Saturday, a time of contemplation and solemnity, the
sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated. On Easter morning, however,
the celebration begins with church bells signaling His resurrection.
Easter Sunday is a time of great joy for families who observe this
day with traditional egg-coloring; egg hunts; fun crafts for kids; a
special Easter dinner and a myriad of desserts. What does the egg
symbolize?
The egg symbolizes a rebirth; a renewal of life. In ancient times,
the egg was given as a gift. The ancient Saxons celebrated the
return of spring with a festival in honor of the goddess of spring
and her symbol, the rabbit. Some say the word "Easter" is derived
from the Anglo-Saxon "Eostre," the name of the fertility goddess of
spring. Therefore, the custom of exchanging eggs in springtime has
been said to date back over 3000 years.
Speaking of eggs! On Easter morning many kids wake up and find
Easter baskets filled with chocolate and other goodies. Easter egg
hunts and getting treats seem to be the most favorite part of Easter
for lots of kids.
This mini ebook gives you some great ideas for Easter family fun!
2. Fun Easter Craft Ideas for Kids
Egg-coloring is one activity kids also look forward to. Mom or Dad
can boil the eggs and then the attention turns to what food coloring
to mix. Once the eggs are cooled, you can take crayons and print
each child’s name on the eggs then place the eggs in a small bowl of
your favorite color.
Once the eggs are dyed you can then decorate the eggs with stickers
or little Easter cut-outs and then display them.
Creating an Easter basket from scratch is not only fun, but the
entire family can participate. All you need is a basket, which you
can purchase in any dollar store; some color straw; and some plastic
eggs. You can decorate the basket in any way you wish. Fill each
plastic egg with pennies, place them on the straw in the basket; add
homemade cookies or other treats, and top it off with a little tiny
stuffed bunny.
Here’s a fun Easter Bunny Basket Craft:
You’ll need:
Empty egg cartons (cut in half, you only need the egg holder portion
– not the lid)
Artificial grass
Colorful construction paper
Pipe cleaner
Pom poms (available at craft supply stores)
Cut out a bunny face including ears out of pink or brightly colored
construction paper. Decorate the face using the pom poms for the
bunny nose and draw in the eyes and mouth. If you don’t have pom
poms available you can simply draw
a face in. Stick the bunny face to the front end of the egg carton
and then fill the egg carton with artificial grass and place your
dyed Easter eggs on top. Use a pipe cleaner for the handle.
Poke two small holes on each side of the egg carton and thread the
pipe cleaner through it and tie.
Easter Puppets
Clean and dry popsicle sticks
Construction paper
Glue
Cut out a number of Easter shapes such as bunny rabbits, Easter eggs
and even flowers. Decorate your cut outs and stick to the ends of a
popsicle stick. This is a super easy craft activity which is
suitable for younger kids.
Handprint Flowers
This is a really cute craft activity the kids will enjoy.
You’ll need:
Yellow or pink construction paper for the flowers
Green construction paper for the leaves
Straws
Scotch tape
Trace each child’s hand onto a piece of construction paper and cut
out the hand shape; Round the bottom of the hand off. Once cut,
shape the bottom of the
hand into a cone shape leaving a small gap for the straw to go
through. Tape together. Using a pencil curl down the “flower
fingers” so they don’t stick straight up. Insert the straw through
the flower and using a little bit of tape, stick it to the base of
the flower. Cut out a few green petals and tape to straw as well.
You can place your hand-print flowers in a home-made vase too.
Paint or wrap an empty toilet paper roll and decorate to your
liking. Using a piece of construction paper cut a circle to fit
around the bottom of the toilet paper roll (stick it to the roll
using a little bit of tape). When finished place your flowers in
your vase and display!
3. Fun Easter Party Ideas
Providing the weather is nice, Easter is a great time for a garden
party. Invite some family and friends over and enjoy a lazy day of
family fun, food and games.
Here are a few Easter party ideas:
One fun Easter tradition is a late morning Easter egg hunt followed
by brunch. First set the party mood. If you’re going to have a fun
family party you can keep things casual, start with lots of bright
colors. Use different color tablecloths such as bright pinks,
yellow, and blue. You can also use colorful plastic cups and
utensils.
A fun and decorative way to wrap utensils is into a “carrot”. You’ll
need:
Carrot Parcels
Green plastic utensils (forks, spoons and knives)
Orange paper dinner napkins
Green pipe cleaners
Fold the napkins into a rectangle and place a spoon, fork and knife
in each napkin (at the edge). The tops of the utensils need to stick
out over the napkin. Slowly wrap the napkin around the utensil and
tie at the neck of the utensils with a green pipe cleaner. Set all
your “carrots” on a colorful plate for guests to help themselves.
The kids will love helping out with this activity.
3.1 Bright Centerpieces
For the centerpiece you can use a bunch of fresh spring flowers such
as daisies and other brightly colored flowers in simple vases. This
really makes the table look pretty and is natural and not too fussy.
You can also pain three small terracotta pots and a bright yellow
and plant cheery purple violas in them before the big day (at least
5 to 7 days before so they can establish). You can place them on the
tables in sets of three for a stunning centerpiece or you can also
place any Easter decoration you find at a craft store in each pot of
flowers.
You can purchase really cute chicks on a stick or little bunnies on
a stick. Anything that’s bright and cheery but still simple so not
to detract from the flowers too much.
By using lots of bright colors and simple decorations it’s easy to
make your Easter party inviting and fun.
3.2 Fun Decorations – Get the Kids to Help!
You can also make some fun kid-friendly decorations. Purchase a
variety of terracotta pots (various sizes) and some small pots of
bright colored-paint (yellow, lime green, sky blue and pink, etc.).
Paint the terracotta pots and use for the following:
Colorful Centerpiece
Polystyrene eggs (available at most craft supply stores)
Craft foam sponge (to place in the bottom of the pot)
Artificial grass
Skewers
Decorate the polystyrene eggs in a variety of colors and patterns.
Take a painted terracotta pot and place the craft foam at the
bottom. Add artificial grass on top. Stick a skewer into each egg
and insert into craft foam for a fun Easter decoration!
Chocolate Eggs in a Pot
Brightly wrapped small Easter eggs
Small painted terracotta pot
Artificial grass (yellow or green are both fun)
Fill the terracotta pot with artificial grass and place the eggs on
top. You can fill various small painted terracotta pots and place
them in different locations.
Fun Easter Cookies
Bake some sugar cookies and decorate using colorful edible icing.
You can make simple round cookies for “Eater eggs” and using red,
green and yellow icing draw zig zags, dots and lines across to make
them look like decorated eggs.
You can also make Easter chick cookies by using a chick shaped
cookie cutter (available at most cooking stores during Easter) or
you can purchase Easter cookie cutters online at
cooking.com. Once
you have all your “chick” cookies baked use a little yellow icing to
dab on an eye and a yellow squiggle in the center of the body to
represent the wing.
Here’s an old-fashioned sugar cookie recipe:
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Mix in
butter until smooth. Stir in lightly beaten egg, cream and vanilla.
Mix well. Dough may be chilled, for easier handling. On a floured
surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into fun shapes
and sprinkle with sugar.
Transfer to lightly greased cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 10
minutes at 375F, or until lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets for
5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
Tip: Add a little more cream if mixture turns out too dry.
Elegant Bubble Fountain:
This is a lovely addition to any Easter or spring-time party. Use a
simple birdbath and give it a touch of glamor. Using a silver spay
pain, paint the birdbath carefully following instructions. Paint at
least 2 days before party and please keep all spray paint away from
children as it can be quite harmful.
Once the “fountain” is painted and the party is about to start, fill
with bubble solution and place white floating flowers in fountain.
This makes a fun and gorgeous party decoration. Have a variety of
wands on hand so kids can take turns blowing bubbles. Also make sure
you have plenty of bubble solution!
Here’s an easy recipe for mega bubbles:
2/3 cup Joy dishwashing liquid (Not sure why but Joy seems to be the
absolute best for mega bubbles)
Water - one gallon
Glycerin - three tablespoons (available from pharmacies)
4. Easter Party Food – Yummy!
If you’re having a brunch party and inviting lots of friends and
family over, the best bet is to go with a family-friendly buffet
style brunch. This is relaxing and easy for everyone involved. You
can also go a step further and ask everyone to bring their favorite
dish.
French toast is a classic brunch staple, which just about everyone
enjoys.
Here are two easy and delicious French Toast recipes:
Easy Overnight French Toast Recipe
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
12 Slices of white bread (crusts trimmed)
1 1/2 cup whole milk
6 Large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine corn syrup, butter and brown sugar in a saucepan and simmer
gently until the sugar melts. Pour this mixture into the bottom of a
greased 9x12 inch casserole dish. Place the bread slices over the
sugar mixture. In a separate bowl beat together eggs, milk, vanilla
and salt. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover the dish and let stand
overnight in refrigerator.
The following morning, preheat over to 350F. Uncover the casserole
dish and bake for approximately 45 minutes.
Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast
1 cup brown sugar
¾ cup butter (melted)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
20 slices white bread (crusts trimmed)
6 eggs
1 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup maple syrup
In a bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Pour mixture into the bottom of greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Spread
the apple pie filling evenly over the sugar mixture. Layer the bread
slices over the apple pie filling (gently pressing down).
In a separate bowl beat the eggs, milk and vanilla. Slowly pour this
mixture evenly over bread. Cover pan with foil and refrigerate
overnight. The next morning, preheat oven to 350F. Place covered pan
in oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes.
Remove foil and drizzle maple syrup over French toast. Place under
hot broil for 2 minutes or until the syrup begins to caramelize.
Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and
serve while still hot.
Another Easter Brunch Favorite is Sandwiches. Here’s a fun ham pate
sandwich the kids and grownups will enjoy.
Easter Brunch Sandwiches
1 pound cooked ham
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
approximately two loaves of thin sliced bread (white or brown – or
you can use both for a little texture and variety)
Easter-shaped cookie cutters
Place ham, mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a food processor and whiz
until smooth. Cut crusts of bread slices and thinly spread with ham
pate. Cut into fun Easter shapes and place on a large platter lined
with dark green (washed and dried) lettuce leaves.
Another Easter favorite is an elegant perfectly baked ham. Here’s a
really simple recipe which looks like you spent hours in the
kitchen.
Easter Baked Ham
One whole (or half) a ham, precooked.
2 cups of apple cider or apple juice
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ cup packed, dark brown sugar
1 can pineapple slices, drained
Preheat oven to 350F and place the ham with the fat side down in a
non-stick roasting pan. Pour the apple cider or apple juice over the
ham and set aside. In a separate bowl place the Dijon mustard and
brown sugar together with a little bit of melted butter. Rub all
over the ham. Bake the ham for approximately 8 to 10 minutes
per pound of ham. During the last 15 minutes of cooking add the
pineapple slices and a sprinkle of brown sugar.
5. Fun Easter Party Games
It goes without saying the game of the day will be the egg hunt.
These will be very much anticipated and depending on the ages of the
kids you can decide whether to do a traditional egg hunt, a separate
hunt for the younger kids and a more difficult hunt for the older
children (to avoid the older children grabbing all the eggs and
little ones being left empty handed).
You can also do a clue style egg hunt where you place different
clues on cards and the children go from one clue to the next finding
a small egg at each destination and a final much bigger egg or eggs
at the last clue.
Here are a few other party games the kids can enjoy.
5.1 Egg and Spoon Race
Easter is the perfect time for this. You can use raw eggs which is
the traditional way to play for older kids and can use boiled, dyed
Easter eggs for younger kids.
The kids split up into teams and take turns racing against each
other. The object of the game is to NOT drop the egg, the team who
finishes first wins! This type of game is lots of fun and can burn
off a tremendous amount of energy.
5.2 Pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny
Cut out a large bunny shape out of construction paper or buy a large
bunny cut out and cut out the tail. Give each child a cotton ball
with a double sided piece of tape on it, blindfold and let the
children take turns pinning the tail on the Easter bunny. This is,
of course, a spin on the traditional pin the tail on the donkey.
Lots of fun.
5.3 Bunny Races
Using sacks or old pillow cases, set up a bunny race. Divide the
kids into teams and let them take turns racing. They have to hop in
their bunny sacks to the finish line.
Bunny Mask Craft
White paper plates
Elastic string
Colorful construction paper
Markers
Glue
Cotton balls
Scissors
This is a simple craft activities which can be used at the end of
the party to help kids wind down. You can make a bunny mask by
simply drawing a bunny face on the paper plates. The kids can
decorate them as they choose and you can help cut out the eyes.
You can use the construction paper to cut out the bunny ears, glue
them to the mask. You can also use cotton balls for the nose and/or
ears.
6. Enjoy your Easter
Easter is a time to gather with family and friends and is also a
great time of fun for the kids. If you’re religious you will
probably go to church on Easter morning and Easter may be a very
significant time for you. With spring in the air it’s also a time
for feeling a renewed sense of energy and happiness.
However you celebrate, Easter is certainly a time for gathering with
and enjoying your family. We wish you and your family a happy and
safe Easter!
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