Easter traditions delight kiddies (and doggies) around the world

Pascua is a solemn and joyous time for Christians around the world but is also a special time for children who anxiously await the Easter Bunny, and the other treats and activities associated with the holiday.

Darla and I don’t really know much about Pascua so, once again, we asked nonna to do some research so we could learn along with you. We do know that this time of year mamma and papà will give each of us un cestino di Pasqua (oon chess-tea-knee d Pahs-koo-ah) an Easter basket full of treats that are safe for us to enjoy. Our favorite is biscotti al burro di arachidi (bee-sko-tea al borro d ar-ah-key-dee) peanut butter cookies! On Easter Sunday, baskets for children are full of bright colors and sweet treats. There is normally a big chocolate bunny and plastic eggs filled to the brim with jelly beans and also little peeps. Hershey’s kisses and peanut butter cups are other favorites.

In Italy it is not a tradition to receive Easter baskets, but they do look forward to a giant chocolate egg. They will also enjoy a special sweet bread called Colomba which is a cross between a cake and a bread shaped like an Easter dove. This treat can be topped with almonds, sugar, candied orange peels and chocolate.

Il Coniglietto Pasquale (eel kon-eel-yetto pa-skwal-a) the Easter Bunny is a big part of the holiday. Rabbits are a traditional symbol of birth and spring, just like the Easter eggs and that is why they are so popular in our Easter festivities. Some people believe the tradition connecting bunnies to Easter celebrations was brought to America by German immigrants in the 1700s while others say it’s an ancient Celtic tradition.

Baby chicks are also associated with spring. Easter is also when we will start to see trees and flowers bloom. Easter lilies, tulips and daffodils are popular flowers given as gifts this time of year in the U.S. In Italy people will often gift Giglii (geel-yee) Lilies which represent purity and grace, Tulipani (tool-e-pah-nay) Tulips, Narcisi (nar-chee-see) Daffodils and Azalee (ah-zahl-e) Azaleas.

La Caccia alle uova di Pasqua (La kah-cha al-a wo-va d Pas-koo-wa) Easter egg hunts and egg rolling are two popular activities for children here in the United States. Every year there is an Easter egg roll on the White House lawn, a tradition that began in 1878. Searching for Easter eggs filled with treats is also a favorite activity. It might take place in your house, outside in your yard or at a nearby park. This is something Darla and I can do because we are great at finding hidden things especially if there are treats inside.

After Easter church services, children in Italy will enjoy a special meal with family and play games or spend time outside together. Most families plan a picnic the next day on La Pasquetta (Litte Easter) or visit parks, museums, amusement parks and other special historic places.

Darla and I hope to run and play outside and enjoy warm sunshine. However, you celebrate we hope you enjoy a day of fun and joy ma non mangiare troppo cioccolato (ma non man-jar-a tro-po cho-ko-lah-toe) but don’t eat too much chocolate!