The Easter Idea Place

View the Easter Egg Activities slide show at Hallmark.com. Learn the meaning behind the Symbols of Easter and read the Story of Easter as told in the Gospel of Luke.

by William Smith
The Easter Egg is a common symbol seen throughout the world as one celebrates the annual spring holiday, Easter. Egg decorating has evolved over the years in different countries, and is as varied as the cultures across the world.

Here is a look at some of the different decorating styles of these Easter gifts:

Russia – Perhaps the most famous decorated eggs of all are known as Faberge Eggs. They are named after the company that created them, and are exquisitely detailed jewelry designed in the shape of eggs. Faberge eggs, which are made from gold and precious stones, were originally created for the Russian Imperial Court.

Poland – The Polish pisankas are created by first dipping an egg in wax, and then carving it. The egg is typically dyed once the carving is finished. The Poles typically exchange the pisanka eggs as gifts between family members on Easter Saturday.

Ukraine – A process similar to Polish pisankas is used to make Ukrainian Easter eggs, known as pysanky. The most common design themes are geometric shapes like squares or diamonds. These eggs are also given as gifts, and it is common for the colors and designs to be tailored to the intended recipient. Receiving a pysanky as an Easter gift is a great honor in the Ukrainian culture, and the egg is often prominently displayed as art in the recipient’s home.

Greece – The Greeks commonly dye their eggs solid red. The red color is symbolic of the redeeming blood of Jesus, resurrected on Easter Sunday. One can easily make their own red eggs by boiling eggs in a solution of water, vinegar and red dye or red food coloring.

Germany and Austria – The Germans have two Easter egg traditions which help reflect their diverse history. In parts of Germany and Austria, green eggs are used, but they are exchanged on Maundy Thursday. Others parts of Germany decorate hollow eggs.

British Isles – The British decorate Easter eggs in many different colors and styles. What sets their tradition apart from others, however, is the Easter egg roll. The Easter egg roll is a contest is to see who can roll their egg down a hill and across the finish line without breaking their egg!

United States – Here, many traditions from cultures around the world are celebrated. This reflects the mixed heritage of U.S. citizens. The most famous Easter egg tradition in the United States is the White House Egg Roll that takes place in Washington D.C.. The tradition was originally started by First Lady Dolly Madison in the early 1800s, and has evolved since then. Every year, on Easter Monday, children participate in this symbolic contest on the lawn of the White House, which is overseen by the First Lady.

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Find recipes and ideas for Easter brunch, Easter dinner, homemade Easter baskets, Easter egg dyeing and decorating, Easter parties and more at All Recipes.

by Gray Rollins

If you want to have a ball this year then consider throwing an Easter egg hunt. There is no better way to get the whole family together and enjoying the holidays like they should. This type of fun will ensure that all of the kids will have more fun than they have ever had before.

If you want to plan the best possible Easter egg hunt you should consider getting everyone that you know involved. Talk to your family members, especially the ones who have kids, along with all of your friends. Try to arrange it so that you can all get your kids to participate in the Easter egg hunt. This will make it a thousand times more fun.

For generations children have been playing and having fun in Easter egg hunts and there is no reason why your family cannot do the same thing. This is one of the finest of all family Easter traditions. Your Easter egg hunt can have real eggs or candy eggs; it does not matter.

Many people choose to spend the night before Easter dying and decorating all kind of Easter eggs with the kids. (www.youreaster.com/eggs/dyeeastereggs/) This makes for a wonderful holiday craft that everyone can enjoy. These eggs can them be placed all around the yard or park, depending on where you choose to have the Easter egg hunt.

What we do in my family is hide real eggs outside for the kids to hunt for and at the end of the Easter egg hunt these eggs get traded for candy. This way no candy gets dirty or wasted and if some eggs get left behind it is not a big deal. The best part though is coloring the eggs together the night before. This is a fantastic together time that you just would not have if you used candy eggs for the Easter egg hunt.

After the Easter egg hunt you can arrange for a wonderful brunch for all of the participants – kids and adults alike. Everyone can then discuss what a great time they had during the hunt and how to make it even better the next year. Easter egg hunts are something that everyone can enjoy and no one will ever regret having. It is a fun and easy idea that will be remembered for years. Just remember to take your camera!