Saturday, 20 March 2010

Easter Gift Ideas


Easter Sunday is a religious holiday on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox, which occurs around March 21st. It is the day Christian all over the world celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, many traditions associated with this holiday, such as the Easter bunny, egg hunt, and Easter baskets, are observed by Christians and non-Christians alike. This article explores the origin of Easter and related traditions, and provides some gift idea for this holiday.


The name of the holiday, "Easter", came from the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon goddess named Eostre. She was the goddess of fertility and springtime. Since the rabbits and hares reproduce frequently with a litter per month, the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons believed the rabbits and hares were the earthly incarnation of Eostre. Hence, the rabbits and hares became fertility symbols. Similarly, eggs were symbols of fertility and life. Eggs were colored, blessed and eaten at spring festivals in ancient culture. When the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christians, their springtime festival, which occurred on spring equinox, was combined with the Christian observance of the resurrection of Jesus and given the name Easter.


The bunny as an Easter symbol appears to have its origin in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other goodies for good children on Easter morning. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German immigrants. The children would build their nest in hidden places in their home, or outdoors. Easter bunny would fill their baskets with colored eggs if they were good. By the 1800s, candies were commonly tucked into the baskets as well. Nowadays, Easter baskets are commonly filled with chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, candies, and marshmallow Peeps. The jelly beans have also been added to the baskets since 1930s because they look similar to eggs laid by birds.

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