Easter Question

[Deleted]

So DH and I got into an interesting conversation today at Target with regards to easter. We don't have a religious affiliation(dh was basically raised atheist and I'm a non-practicing Christian) so we don't officially celebrate real easter but when Abigail gets bigger I'd like to celebrate it like I did as a kid. Easter eggs, baskets, dinner, etc.

My question is for those of you who aren't big church goers, how do you/will you explain Easter? I don't remember it being explained to me and my mom doesn't remember how, if at all it was explained. I feel like Christmas is a lot easier to explain a secular version of since it's got so many messages of love and family that are super explicit. DH wants to skip it, I don't want to but I can't seem to articulate in a good way how we celebrated as kids and how I want to celebrate it. It was very much about spring and happiness. Thoughts?

[emilie]

I am dealing with this too, but with an extra twist - H is Jewish (and atheist). I was raised atheist by two lapsed Catholic parents for us, Easter was about candy and the Easter Bunny. Christmas, same thing - it was about decorating the tree, Christmas songs, cookies, presents, Santa, etc. H grew up reform Jewish so his family celebrates the Jewish holidays.

I figure that with DD we will celebrate Xmas with the relatives on my side and the Jewish holidays with his side. We still don't know how we are going to handle Santa Claus, and the same goes for the Easter bunny. But I do think that at Easter when DD is older we will try to take her to an egg hunt with other kids, and maybe on Easter morning leave out a basket with a couple little gifts and some candy. I'd like to focus on it being a holiday about spring - after all, Easter has pagan origins of being a spring festival holiday. It would be nice to have an Easter "spring" tradition to do with DD like putting new flowers in the garden every year to welcome springtime. Luckily, we have a year to figure it out

[lola]

We will do the religious version of Easter, but I would think maybe it could just be what's mentioned above: a fun family tradition to celebrate spring, new life with plants and animals, family, etc. I'm thinking that scene in Bambi when all of the flowers are blooming and the babies are born. 😊 Love the idea of a gardening tradition too.

[requiressnacks]

+1 to above. I would position Easter as a "spring holiday." My favorite memories of Easter don't involve church at all, but I loved egg hunts and Easter baskets.

As an adult I don't go to church, but I love all the food, fancy dresses, candy and lilies. GIMME ALL THE FLOWERS.

I've already bought Easter outfits for the babies. haha.

[catherineoctober]

My Husband and I were both raise very religious so much so that we are both Atheists now, but we would never push that on anyone else, and we are constantly dealing with our parents religion still. (my mom insisted on reading the Luke 2 at Christmas with my newborn) I plan on making it about Spring and happiness and when she is in her teens or asks tell her that some people believe and this is why they celebrate that day. I also intend to instill in her a respect for others, but to make her own choices when she's old enough. I'm sure it's not going to be easy.

[Deleted]

Yay, I'm glad I'm not the only one with this issue. I'm going to just make it about spring and explain the details when she's old enough.

[lola]

Also, I have already purchased an Easter basket and lots of gifts for inside. For my three month old. What is wrong with me!?

[Lucy]

We do Easter as a celebration of Spring. We're both athiest -- H became so within the last 5 years. Prior to that he was pretty religious. He had a crisis of sorts a few years ago and has been athiest ever since.

[lola]

Also, somewhat Easter related... highlight of my trip to Target was picking out a pastel purple nail polish in preparation for Easter. I know, I know, calm down with all of this crazy, exciting activity over here. #lame

[Deleted]

Mar 7, 2017 14:16:54 GMT -5 lola said:

Also, somewhat Easter related... highlight of my trip to Target was picking out a pastel purple nail polish in preparation for Easter. I know, I know, calm down with all of this crazy, exciting activity over here. #lame

I got a pedicure this past weekend and got a pretty spring pastel green and was very excited about it.

[lola]

Mar 7, 2017 14:46:14 GMT -5 @cahistoryteacher said:

Mar 7, 2017 14:16:54 GMT -5 lola said:

Also, somewhat Easter related... highlight of my trip to Target was picking out a pastel purple nail polish in preparation for Easter. I know, I know, calm down with all of this crazy, exciting activity over here. #lame

I got a pedicure this past weekend and got a pretty spring pastel green and was very excited about it.

I did not get the girly gene for being good at nails, so I usually do pedicures. It's my one major self-care indulgence. But last time I broke a bottle of hot pink polish all over the floor so I'm scared to go back. 😬