Easter, Passover celebrations provide traditions for all ages to enjoy (original) (raw)
Whether you celebrate Easter or Passover, there are important elements to each. Learning about traditions celebrated by people who live and think differently from you is a great way of adding knowledge that otherwise might not come naturally.
5 tips to make hosting on Easter simple and sweet
Easter signals springtime and provides an opportunity to gather with loved ones to celebrate. However, hosting the get-together — whether brunch, lunch or dinner — requires planning and preparation to ensure the event is enjoyable. From the guest list and menu to the decor and activities for the kiddos, consider these steps to get ready for Easter hosting duties.
Make a guest list
When planning your gathering, first think about how many people your space can accommodate. Ensure there’s a place for everyone to sit and eat, even if that means bringing in extra tables and chairs or designating a “kids table” so all the adults can sit together. Once you know how many people you can invite — and have a plan for seating — send out festive invitations or create a group on social media with your preferred guests to gather RSVPs.
Take inventory of necessities
Once you have your guest list set, take inventory of serving dishes, utensils, linens and glassware. Depending on the number of guests, you may need to invest in extra supplies or borrow from a friend or relative to ensure you have everything you need. If you don’t have enough of one set of plates and flatware, mixing and matching is a trendy move and can serve as an additional aspect of your decor.
Plan the menu
Easter is the perfect excuse to refresh your brunch menu. A signature dish — whether it’s a savory quiche, fluffy pancakes or a fresh fruit board — paired with playful mocktails can instantly set a celebratory tone.
When setting your menu, traditional favorites like ham or lamb are almost always a hit, but remember to consider any diet accommodations that may need to be made for any vegan or vegetarian guests or those with gluten allergies. Dishes featuring eggs, carrots, ginger and other ingredients that call spring to mind, like quiches, soups, galette and more, can be a perfect complement to the traditional main course. Serving the meal family-style with platters and bowls for everyone to share or hosting a potluck with guests bringing assigned dishes can help reduce the stress of trying to prepare the entire meal yourself.
Decorate in advance
From a seasonal wreath on the front door to a well-dressed table complete with place settings and a festive centerpiece, getting your decorating done early can not only reduce stress on the day of your event, but also get you into the proper mindset for the celebration. A pastel or light-colored hue can add to the springtime vibes, and flowers, seasonal fruits in bowls and decorated eggs can all add to the tablescape.
Few things capture the spirit of spring like a welcoming table. Creating an Easter-ready setting can be simple: pastel eggs nestled in woven baskets, floral runners, ribbons, paper napkins, egg-shaped votives and whimsical bunny accents instantly brighten the scene. Layering soft colors and natural textures helps create a table that feels festive yet effortless.
No spring table is complete without flowers. Seasonal favorites like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and white lilies can brighten any gathering. Arrange them in rabbit-shaped planters or simple bud vases for a playful touch. For a creative twist, fill clear vases with colorful stones, craft gems or even jellybeans before adding blooms for a centerpiece that feels both festive and fresh.
Keep the kids in mind
While the meal is likely a highlight of the event for many, the younger guests often look forward to the activities, such as decorating eggs or an Easter egg hunt. You can hard-boil eggs in advance and set up a decorating station, complete with dyes, markers, stickers and more. Or while you’re finishing up inside, designate another adult or older children to hide pre-filled plastic eggs around the yard (weather permitting) and manage the hunt.
Coloring eggs is a fun tradition for families celebrating Easter. (Photo courtesy of Feature Impact)
Find more ideas for hosting Easter festivities at eLivingtoday.com.
Embracing Passover celebrations
Each year, faithful Jews across the globe participate in one of the most significant festivals on the Jewish calendar. Passover, also known as “Pesach” in Hebrew, is a time for families to gather and recount the Jews’ journey from slavery to freedom.
Passover is a week-long commemoration of the story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The Book of Exodus details the story that the Egyptian Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go. In response, God set 10 plagues upon Egypt. The final plague was “death of the firstborn.” Israelites hoping to escape the same fate were instructed to mark their doorposts with lamb’s blood so the Angel of Death would “pass over” their homes. This is where the name Passover originated.
While the Egyptians were mourning the loss of their children, Pharaoh finally relented and let the Israelites leave slavery. Because they departed in such haste, the bread the Israelites took with them didn’t have time to rise, resulting in flat, unleavened crackers. This “matzah” (sometimes spelled matzo or mazzah) became a key component of Passover rituals. Prior to each Passover, the faithful thoroughly remove all chametz (leavened grain) from the home and do a thorough cleaning.
While the Egyptians were mourning the loss of their children, Pharaoh relented and let the Israelites leave slavery. Because they departed in such haste, the bread they took didn't have time to rise, resulting in flat, unleavened crackers. This "matzah" became a key component of Passover rituals. Before each Passover, the faithful thoroughly remove all chametz (leavened grain) from the home and do a thorough cleaning. (Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial Services)
In addition to eating matzah for the duration of Passover, celebrants also consume maror, which are bitter herbs, according to Chabad.org. The maror symbolizes the bitterness of slavery. The Seder, which is a dinner that takes place on the first and possibly second night of Passover, includes charoset, a sweet paste of nuts, apples and wine that symbolizes the mortar used by Israelite slaves to build Egyptian structures. Karpas, a green vegetable (usually parsley), is dipped in salt water to represent the tears of the slaves and the hope of spring. Zeroah is a roasted bone to symbolize the ancient paschal sacrifice, and beitzah (a roasted egg) is eaten to represent mourning and the cycle of life.
Although it is a religious holiday, Passover also may resonate in other ways and appeal to non-Jews because of its core themes of freedom from physical and spiritual bondage; memories of the commandment and personal stories; and transitioning from winter into the spring season of rebirth. Those ready to celebrate will do so from April 1-9.
During the Seder meal for Passover, families read the Haggadah, a book containing the story of the Exodus from Egypt, designed to fulfill the commandment to tell children about the Israelites' freedom. (Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial Services)