LIFE & TRENDS Faith and Tradition


Unique ways to celebrate Easter at home. :: BY BECCA BLOND


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aster is a time for faith, family, and reflection, and while many celebrate with church services and Sunday


brunch, there are plenty of ways to make this year’s holiday even more meaningful. Whether by incorporating family


heirlooms, honoring American history, or reviving time-honored customs, Easter at home can be both spiritually fulfilling and rich in tradition.


FAMILY HEIRLOOMS AND MEANINGFUL SYMBOLS Easter decorations don’t have to come from the seasonal aisle of a big- box store. Consider incorporating items that hold sentimental or historical value. Hand-embroidered tablecloths


from past generations, vintage china, or even an old family Bible displayed as a centerpiece can bring a deeper connection to the day. Displaying a wooden cross,


lighting a candle in honor of loved ones, or setting up a small resurrection garden — a pot of soil with three wooden crosses and moss to symbolize Christ’s tomb — can be a powerful reminder of the true meaning of the holiday.


PATRIOTIC EASTER EGG HUNT Families can hide eggs with American history trivia questions stuffed inside, with prizes awarded for correct answers. Another idea is to color eggs in


red, white, and blue, or decorate them with symbols representing America’s founding principles. Some families may even choose


to highlight biblical history, incorporating facts about Easter’s religious significance.


74 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | APRIL 2025


FORMAL EASTER MEAL Rather than rushing through a quick lunch, consider hosting a more formal Easter dinner with traditional dishes that reflect both faith and heritage. Classic ham or lamb, homemade


hot cross buns, and deviled eggs are all part of a timeless Easter spread, but families might also consider reviving dishes that reflect their ancestry. A prayer before the meal, reading a passage from the Bible, or sharing


what Easter means to each family member can make the gathering even more significant.


MEANING OF EASTER A creative way to do this is with a resurrection egg activity, where each plastic egg in a carton contains a small item representing part of the Easter story — a thorn (crown of thorns), a nail (the crucifixion), and an empty egg to symbolize the empty tomb. Another meaningful activity is


writing letters to Jesus. Each family member can write a letter about what they are grateful for, what they hope to improve in their faith, or what they will pray for in the coming year.


INCORPORATE SCRIPTURE AND REFLECTION Easter is an opportunity to deepen one’s faith at home. One way to do this is by reading the Easter story from the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John as a family before the meal. Some families even stage a


simple passion play, with children or grandchildren taking turns reading different roles. For a quieter but equally powerful


tradition, consider a sunrise reflection. Easter morning symbolizes the resurrection of Christ, making sunrise an especially meaningful time for prayer, hymn singing, or simply reflecting on gratitude and faith.


GIVE BACK WITH SERVICE PROJECT Families can put together care packages for veterans, donate to a local food pantry, or bake Easter treats for an elderly neighbor. Some might choose to plant a tree or start a backyard garden as a symbol of new life and hope. For those who enjoy crafting,


making homemade Easter cards with Bible verses to send to loved ones, church members, or troops overseas can be a simple but heartfelt act of kindness.


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