Easter is a huge event and a major holiday full of traditions, beliefs, and lots of pastel. New outfits, chocolate-covered crème eggs, and when I was little, fluffy dresses, white tights, and black Mary Janes…or the jellies with sparkles that my sister had that I was insanely jealous of.
When my husband was a full-time youth minister, Easter meant Sunrise Services, plastic colored eggs hidden in the playground, and extra chairs in the church sanctuary for the all the visitors who chose to spend their Sunday morning with our own church family.
But Easter might look a little different this year.
There might not be a need for new outfits. Easter egg hunts might be private affairs in backyards or living rooms. Church services might continue to be held online instead of in-person.
So how do we as moms keep our Easter traditions alive for our kids when we might not have the means or access to resources like we normally would?
Keep the Traditions
If the Easter Bunny makes a regular appearance at your house, by golly, he can make an appearance this year, too. His gifts might be in the form of creative Amazon purchases or what can be found in the stores during “refill the house” shopping trips.
If dressing up for annual family pictures is part of your tradition like it is in the Jett house, go for it. Are there special foods that you make or is coloring eggs a family affair? Plan ahead so you can be sure to have supplies on hand.
Good Housekeeping posted an article with twenty different ideas for Easter egg hunts. SheSpeaks posted a YouTube video with various DIY ways to have Easter “baskets,” including Easter jars and the cutest rainboot basket alternative.
Do what We Can
If Sunday morning church services are an integral part of your Easter Sunday but there are still stay-at-home orders in place, join a service online and make it a family affair. Have some activity sheets for the kids or gather together over breakfast and read the Easter story.
With faith being an integral part of Easter, we can elevate our priorities by focusing on what’s important to us as a family. Honoring our beliefs and traditions is an important part of who we are and we’re teaching our children valuable lessons by demonstrating strength in the midst of uncertainty.
The truth is, we keep Easter meaningful when we slow down from the hustle and bustle and pay attention to what matters. We have more opportunities these days to share our hearts with our kids and engage in quality time with our families, so let’s make the most of every second.
No matter how your family celebrates Easter: faith, food, family, and fun, or some combination thereof, stay safe and allow the day to be one of joy and remembrance.
Bethany Jett is a military wife and all-boys mama who loves entrepreneurship, planners, and all things marketing. She’s the co-author of They Call Me Mom: 52 Encouraging Devotions