Sweets for Easter

Hi neighbors. Many people plan and hold Easter egg hunts for children and adults on Easter Day. Tomorrow is Easter this year and I hope everyone has their candy, rabbits, chicks, and chocolate ready for the events.

Although the ground might be a little wet to hide eggs outdoors under the bushes, indoor hunting can be as much fun for the children.

If you haven’t done so already, you’d best get your eggs boiled and ready to decorate. For decades the fun of coloring eggs has been popular with children. There are kits made now to make coloring the eggs easier than ever. There are even stickers to apply.

Don’t forget to make Easter baskets with that pastel-colored “grass” to nestle the eggs during the hunt. It’s become popular to avoid giving live rabbits or chicks and instead to include in the basket (or hide for the child to find in the hunt) a small, brightly colored, stuffed version of a rabbit or chick.

One of the favorite things to put into Easter baskets are chocolate eggs or chocolate rabbits. Marshmallow eggs and chicks are also popular. Remember to get individually wrapped candy for the egg hunts for children. Plastic eggs are often used for the hunts, especially the outdoor hunts. Small candies or treats can be placed inside and the eggs seal shut nicely.

Chocolate plays a big role in Easter baskets. Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean which originally came from the Americas. The beans were ground over a slow fire until a paste was made. The paste was then allowed to dry then grated into water or milk to make a bitter hot cocoa.

By 1580 cacao found popularity in Europe and it wasn’t long before sugar was added and then milk chocolate was developed.

All you coffee or tea drinkers should know that chocolate was the first stimulant drink in Europe, predating both coffee and tea. So start a hot cocoa break tradition at work!

Even the popular hard-boiled and colored Easter eggs have changed over the years. In the early days of America, eggs were more often soft-boiled and served in the half shell.

Of course, no one wanted soft boiled eggs at Easter egg hunts! It wasn’t until the mid-twentieth century that coloring hard-boiled eggs became an inexpensive, safe and child-friendly activity.

Can you remember those wire handles with a large circle on one end to balance the egg in while dipping it into colored water to dye it? Lots of colorful mishaps occurred while trying to get the hang of “egg balancing.”

Another tradition became popular concerning Easter mornings and church attendance. A new set of clothing (and white shoes) set the stage for exchanging dark winter garb for spring colors and lighter weight clothing.

Easter parades were popular in many small towns and large cities and still are. I remember Easter was the only day of the year my mother would wear a hat. A popular song celebrating the Easter Parade tradition was written by Irving Berlin and performed and later produced by many popular artists. Here are the lyrics in case you’ve forgotten and want to sing it to your special lady.

“In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,

You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.

I’ll be all in clover and when they look you over,

I’ll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade.

On the avenue, fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us,

And you’ll find that you’re in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,

And of the girl I’m taking to the Easter parade.”

However you celebrate Easter, don’t forget the reason for the celebration is a serious one; although one of celebration. A great time to spend time with family members. Have a wonderful Easter!