Easter Traditions              
Typical Easter traditions include dyed and hidden eggs, sparkly new outfits, and baskets stuffed with candy. You can add something even more important than baskets, bunnies, and bonnets to your family’s celebrations, though. Here are easy ideas to create new Easter traditions with deep meaning. Choose an idea that works for your family and add it to your festivities. Your kids will be delighted—and so will you!

Egg Candles—These take a little work, but they’re memorable centerpieces for your family devotions, mealtimes, and faith conversations. You’ll need:

  • Raw, washed eggs
  • An egg-dye kit
  • Double boiler
  • Votive candles
  • Wire-core candle wicks (available at craft stores)
  • Funnel

Break off the top portion of the eggs and clean out the shell. Dye the eggs following the directions on the package. In a double boiler melt the votive candles.

Cut the wicks to four inches, flatten one end into the bottom of the egg, and fasten it to the bottom with a drop of wax. Use the funnel to pour the wax into the eggs. Let the wax harden for two hours, and trim the wick to ¼-inch. Enjoy your candles!

Empty—Gift-wrap an empty box. Then gather as a family and talk about the importance of Easter, and why it’s a cause for celebration. Sing a couple of Easter songs, such as “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” and then open the empty box. Pray together, thanking God for the gift of an empty tomb and Jesus’ Resurrection.

Easter Egg Account—Number 12 plastic eggs from 1 to 12. Inside the first 11 eggs, place a slip of paper with Scriptures from Luke 24: 1-12 relating to Jesus’ crucifixion. Leave the last egg empty to represent the empty tomb.

  • Have family members take turns reading and discussing the Scriptures, saving the
    empty egg for last.
  • Or, open one egg every day leading up to Easter—like an Easter Advent calendar.

Family Tablecloth—Place a new, white tablecloth on the table for Easter dinner. When the meal is over, have each person choose a permanent marker and sign or draw on the tablecloth. Write the year near the signatures Each year, sign again in a new spot—adding the year each time. You could have kids draw pictures near their names. Years later you’ll have a wonderful memory—maybe one you’ll have the grandkids sign, too.