As I was setting my Easter table I got to wondering, how did a bunny come to represent a religious holiday? Where did the barbaric idea come from to hide eggs for children to find? And when did plastic eggs filled with treats come into play? I had to do some research, and here is what I found…
According to Country Living, Pagans celebrated the springtime renewal of life, as well as the goddess of dawn and fertility, Eostre, who was often represented by a hare or an egg. As Christianity spread, the timing of Christ’s resurrection and the celebration of Eostre, the dawning of spring, likely merged because they happen around the same time of year. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life. The first official mentions of an Easter Bunny date back to Germany in the 1600’s. The bunny was said to lay a basket of colorful eggs for children who were good. Like any simple tradition, it likely grew and grew, to incorporate other treats, like chocolates, for kids who were good. Eventually, this morphed into plastic eggs filled with treats.
It’s interesting to learn where traditions come from – how they got started and how they evolved. One of my personal favorite Easter traditions was always waking up to find my Easter basket (I’ve had the same bunny basket since I was a baby) then search the house for eggs – real ones, which we sometimes found weeks later, because the Easter bunny must be a little forgetful. I also loved “coloring” eggs with my grandpa, using onion peels, thread and coffee grounds. They weren’t pink and purple, but they were special because they were his! And one of the best traditions is of course Easter brunch. It’s always been a great time to get together with family, as the weather is nice, the sun is shining and we get to celebrate, not only chocolate and a giant globe-trotting bunny, but also Jesus’ resurrection. It’s a perfect reason to gather and the perfect excuse to set a beautiful spring inspired table.
When a meal is part of a tradition it’s great time to incorporate things into your tabelscape that you and your loved ones find joy in. Maybe family heirlooms, maybe your favorite colors or your favorite foods. Use traditions from the past but make them your own too by adding in modern touches, and things you can carry on for years to come. Build your table by using what you have, using what you love, and layering pieces. It’ll feel like you, it will feel like home, it will feel like tradition!
Happy Easter!
Signed with Style,
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