The Easter Idea Place

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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by Sharon Serot

Regardless of whether you are an Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist or “Christian” of some stripe, the festival of Easter is the highlight of our year. With its themes of His triumph over death and His resurrection, we prepare ourselves for the Ascension of our Lord.

It is important to remember that Salvation is not just a historical event that took place in the distant past to other people in other places. The same spiritual energies that were available during the Resurrection are available to us in the here and now. Easter is truly an opportunity for re-birth for those who grasp on to it.

The Easter season is looked upon with great anticipation by people who are interested in their own spiritual growth and well being. The rituals we observe allow us time for reflection, prayer and penitence, which can lead to our own rebirth.

The early Christians no longer focused on the exodus from Egyptian Bondage, but on a new kind of exodus from the bondage of sin to the new life of our Risen Lord.

Sometimes during the weeks preceding Easter we have a feeling of discomfort, of sadness. We walk around moping, not quite understanding why. This is because in a way, we are in mourning. We are mourning the loss of a part of our essential selves, even though our sinfulness is something we need to eradicate, we still mourn its loss. Why? Because the behavior patterns of sin are known to us, we feel oddly comforted by the familiarity of them.

Sinfulness lies deep within a person; it is an attitude, a willingness to turn ones face away from the Creator. Often times we are not even conscious of this shift away from God. It is only after one comes to the realization that he has turned his face away and separated himself, can he hope for perfect reunification. But how do we move from our deeply flawed state of sin to one of reconciliation? The followers of Christ have been furnished with the cure. Once and for all, Jesus has paid the price for us to redeem ourselves. Through the saving action of Christ, each of us has been reconciled to God.

The spiritual energy of the Easter Season affords us a unique opportunity to grasp hold of our own redemption. We need to remember that life is a series of stops and starts, of spiritual advancement and spiritual retreat. We have “spiritual growth spurts” throughout our lives until the day we die. I hope that this Easter you will take the opportunity to explore the reason for the season in your own life.

by Rachel Webb

Easter marks the start of spring and is a sacred holiday for Christians throughout the world as it signifies when Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave to live again. But where did the Easter bunny and eggs fit into the Easter tradition?

The rabbit and eggs were actually symbols of fertility, immortality and new life to commemorate Christ’s resurrection. In Germany, colored eggs were left in children’s baskets and the custom was brought to America with German immigrants in the later 19th century.

Easter can be a fun time of year to celebrate the renewed growth of spring no-matter what religious beliefs you may have. Here are some idea’s to use for an Easter celebration party.

TABLE DECORATIONS

Turn a recycled white sheet into a spectacular Easter tablecloth by sponge painting bunnies, baskets and eggs in bright spring colors. Be sure to use textile paints so the tablecloth can be washed and used another year. Fabric paints are also available in squeeze applicators with glitter colors for decorating the sponged Easter eggs. Paint will need to dry at least 24 hours prior to use.

Make a festive napkin ring by threading a sewing needle with narrow elastic thread and stringing jelly beans onto it. You may need to put a little vegetable oil on the needle to help it slide threw the candy. Tie off the ends to form a circle and slide it over the rolled napkins for a cute way to dress up the table. Add a solid colored doily under the plates for a festive way to dress up the table.

You can serve creamy lemon pie or light strawberry custard, strawberry almond pastry or let the kids decorate personalized tulip cookies. The menu options are endless but I suggest you keep the choices light and festive. Tableware does not need to match but keep to a color theme of bright spring colors or soft pastels.

EASTER CRAFTS

Little girls love making their own Easter bonnets. Cut a large 12 1/2″ circle out of heavy artist poster board using a compass as your guide. Attach a wide satin ribbon to the middle of the circle with hot glue, leaving long trailing tails to tie the bonnet on. Have lots of decorative options available for embellishing the hats. Kids can make flowers colored miniature cupcake baking cups or doilies. You can also use adhesive dots, paint, glitter, pleated paper ribbon, lace reminates or tulle to make decorate the bonnets.

Each child can make their own gingham Easter bunny or duck out of fabric, yarn and cotton batting or fiberfill. Have the shape of the animals pre-cut for the children and place the right sides of the fabric out. Let the kids stitch yarn around the edge of the shape leaving a 1″ opening to stuff the cotton filling. An adult can blind stitch the hole closed and help glue on buttons for the eyes and pom-poms for the nose. Use pinking sheers to finish the edges.

Adults can also enjoy a Easter garden party. Invite friends to bring perennials for their gardens to exchange with other plants. Provide each guest with labels, paper bags or plastic nursery containers. Let them take home the same amount of plants that they brought getting an affordable start on beautiful blooms.

Find menus for a glazed ham dinner, Greek Easter and Easter Brunch Buffet at Martha Stewart Living.