Easter used to be a challenging holiday for me as a child. With church obligations, chilly weather, and a strict candy limit, I often dreaded the day. To top it off, I wasn’t a fan of the traditional ham dinner. However, when I became a parent, I decided to reinvent Easter into a holiday I could genuinely appreciate.
One of my favorite traditions from my ex-partner’s family was hiding jelly beans around the house for the kids to find each Easter morning. We also allowed our children to indulge in as much candy as they wanted, which definitely added to the fun. Yet, as kids transition into their teenage years, the excitement of Easter tends to fade, leaving me feeling nostalgic for the days when they eagerly rushed to find those jelly beans.
To rekindle some of that Easter spirit, I’ve come up with a few creative ideas to celebrate with my teens:
Surprise Them with Money in Easter Eggs
Here’s a fun twist: don’t reveal that there’s cash hidden in the eggs! This little secret works best the first time you try it. Last year, my kids were indifferent about searching for eggs until my daughter discovered the money inside. Suddenly, everyone was eager to join in the hunt! I mix in their favorite candies too, making the egg hunt even more thrilling.
Order Takeout Instead of Cooking
Honestly, I’m not keen on preparing a large Easter feast. Instead, we treat ourselves to pizza or Chinese food since many restaurants are open on Easter. I set a lovely table and enjoy the meal with my kids, creating cherished moments together. Plus, ordering extra ensures we have leftovers to enjoy while watching TV later.
Continue the Easter Basket Tradition
Even if my teens pretend not to care, I believe they still appreciate Easter baskets. I create one large basket for all of them, filled with their favorite treats and a small stuffed bunny. Yes, they may act indifferent towards toys, but getting a small stuffed animal brings back sweet memories, and I suspect they still hold onto some of them at night.
Incorporate Old Traditions
I still hide jelly beans, but thankfully, I can do it in the morning without waking them up at the crack of dawn. I also buy the same candies I used to when they were younger. I refuse to turn Easter into a gift-giving holiday like Christmas, sticking to a few small, meaningful items instead. This approach keeps the day special and allows me to see glimpses of their younger selves when they excitedly search for eggs or hug their stuffed animals.
By maintaining simplicity and incorporating familiar traditions, my family finds joy in Easter, and I can witness the spark of their childhood excitement once again.
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In summary, by adapting our Easter traditions and keeping the celebration relatable to my teens, we all find joy in the holiday. It’s a wonderful chance to reconnect and relive cherished memories together.