Easter traditions in the USA

Easter traditions and symbols have evolved over time, though some have been around for centuries. While to Christians, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, many Easter traditions are not found in the Bible. The most prominent secular symbol of Easter in the US, the Easter bunny, was introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century, while the rite of the Easter parade has even older roots. Other traditions, such as Easter candy, are among the modern additions to the celebration of this early springtime holiday.

1. Church

Families go to church wearing mostly white, pay their respects and celebrate their roots to Christianity. Americans also visit church on the Good Friday, the day of crucifixion, and commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.

2. Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny legend goes way back into history with its origin in the Bible. So if you think the Easter Bunny is just a cute, fluffy made-up bunny, this is not the case. But today, it’s more of a fun tradition for kids. The legend says that every Easter, a beautiful, cute bunny with fluffy tail and long ears visits and brings Easter baskets filled with chocolates, toys and colorful eggs. Children, on Easter, go out first thing in the morning to find Easter baskets filled with delicious treats and toys. 

3. Egg Roll Contest

Another centuries-old Easter tradition in the USA is the egg roll contest. After the kids find their baskets and colorful Easter Bunny eggs, they have a contest to roll painted, hard boiled eggs off a slope, such as a nearby hill. The one whose egg reaches down first and in one piece, wins.

4. Egg Painting

Egg painting is another of the popular Easter traditions in the US. You can have a get-together with your family, sit down, get your egg coloring kits out and have fun with painting eggs. You can show your inner artist with any kind of paint, really. It can be acrylics, spray paint, water colors, or even food dyes.

5. Easter baskets 

The trend of Easter baskets is also deep rooted in tradition. It originated when the children used to make tiny nests of fallen leaves and branches so that Easter Bunny could leave presents there. This evolved to having, and making Easter Baskets for presents and gifts.

6. Lent

If you enjoy great festive feasts of Easter, you have the tradition of Lent to be thankful to. In earlier times, people used to fast for 40 days and then have a giant feast on Easter. In modern times, it evolved to people staying away from an indulgence, such as a food item, caffeine, streaming, internet, or something else. So when Easter arrives, people enjoy all kinds of treats they’ve been giving up on. 

7. Food

Easter food containing ham or lamb chops, boiled eggs, biscuits, hot buns, potatoes, carrots and other vegetables, and much more. Everything is delicious, including an Easter cake. To give it a bit more of an Easter touch, you can also add carrots to it.  

9. Easter lilies

White Easter lilies symbolize the purity of Christ to Christians and are common decorations in churches and homes around the Easter holiday. Their growth from dormant bulbs in the ground to flowers symbolize the rebirth and hope of Christ’s resurrection. Lilies are native to Japan and were brought to England in 1777, but found their way to the U.S. in the wake of World War I.

Wesołego Alleluja and Happy Easter!