As a child, I dreaded Easter. Church services, chilly weather, and the restriction of just two pieces of candy from our baskets each day made it far from enjoyable. Plus, I’m not a fan of ham, which was our traditional Easter meal, and we were expected to finish every bite on our plates. Not the best experience, to say the least.
When I became a mom, I decided to flip the script on Easter and found myself actually enjoying it. One tradition from my ex-husband’s childhood that we embraced was hiding jelly beans around the house for the kids to find on Easter morning. We also allowed them to indulge in as much candy as they wanted, which definitely added to the fun!
However, like many holidays, Easter can lose its charm when kids hit their teenage years. It’s tough to see my teens seemingly uninterested in a day that once brought me so much joy. I long for those early mornings filled with excitement as they searched for jelly beans.
Here are a few ideas to make Easter feel festive again and engage your teens in the celebration:
Hide Money in Easter Eggs
Here’s a fun twist: don’t tell them there’s money in the eggs. I know this only works the first year, but trust me, it’s worth it. I tried this last year, and my teens were initially dismissive about finding eggs. However, when my daughter discovered cash inside, her brothers quickly jumped on board, leading to quite the scramble!
I don’t fill every egg with money; I mix in their favorite candies, making the hunt even more thrilling.
Order Takeout Instead of Cooking
I’m not a fan of preparing a big Easter feast, so instead, we indulge in takeout. Whether it’s pizza or Chinese, we enjoy our meal at home without the fuss of dressing up or cooking. I love setting a beautiful table and sharing a meal as a family, which creates quality bonding time. Plus, leftovers mean more snacking opportunities later!
Continue the Easter Basket Tradition
Even if they pretend not to care, I think they secretly enjoy Easter baskets. I prepare one large basket filled with their favorite sweets and a small stuffed bunny for each of them. Despite their outward indifference, I know these little gestures bring back fond memories of their childhood.
While I don’t go all out like I do for Christmas, I do include a few small items like face masks since we all love a good pampering session. This tradition has become something we all look forward to each year.
Revive Old Traditions
I still hide jelly beans for them, but the best part is I can do it at a more reasonable hour. I buy the same candies from their younger days and stick to our simple traditions. I don’t believe in turning Easter into a gift-giving holiday filled with expensive items; instead, I focus on small surprises and the joys of nostalgia.
By keeping things simple and incorporating some of our old favorites, we can all enjoy the day. Watching my teens rediscover the thrill of finding eggs or embracing their stuffed animals reminds me of their younger selves—a heartwarming sight for any parent.
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In summary, rediscovering the joy of Easter with your teens is possible by adapting traditions, keeping things simple, and focusing on what brings your family together. Embrace the nostalgia and enjoy the day with your loved ones.