Keeping Easter Traditions and Embracing Quarantine

I know how hard it has been so far in quarantine being away from family. I am lucky to be healthy and in a warm home with my immediate family, but growing up with many traditions this time of year is quite sad not to be doing them all. In my family, I traditionally spend good Friday at my Baba's (grandma's) house with all of my cousin's eating homemade bread and fish soup together. We would make traditional easter eggs using pantyhose and some sort of leaves while the young kids started to learn the family traditions too. On Saturday, we would fill a basket with all of the eggs, bread and other things we would be eating Sunday morning and head to church for the priest to bless the basket. Saturday night was full of excitement for all the young ones as the easter bunny was soon to arrive. Easter Sunday was full of fun as we gathered eggs, spent time outside and enjoyed a meal with all of our family. While it is unfortunate that in the times right now we are unable to complete all of these traditions together, we can remember all of the wonderful times we had in the past and try to embrace our situation in the best way possible. After all, easter is a time to be joyful! Yesterday for good Friday, I couldn't visit my Baba for her world famous homemade bread and soup, but she still made as much as she could alone and dropped some off at my house! It was great to see her (from a distance). She also included a few of her traditional pantyhose eggs too! Today, my siblings and I will be colouring eggs together and I will Facetime my cousins to see their eggs too. On Sunday, we will go for a family walk outside if it's sunny and enjoy a meal together. In hard times like these, we have to embrace what we have and try to be grateful for our health and safety. Here are some things to keep in mind throughout this holiday weekend to brighten up your celebrations!

Embrace the weather

Whether it is sunny or rainy, try to get outside this weekend and let the energy of nature lift your spirts! Make it an 'event' and plan for your whole quarantine posse to spend time together! If this is already in your normal traditions for Easter, don't forget about it! Even if it is just around the block!

Get ready

If you are used to getting up early on Easter Sunday to hunt for eggs and leaving to your grandma's for dinner like me, don't forget about the act of getting ready. Still get up early to love the magic of easter, still dress up if you usually do for dinner (even if it is cereal). If you are traditionally one to get all dolled up for easter, make yourself feel the best you can for this special day. Even if all you are doing is staying home, stay home feeling amazing!

Grab the eggs

If you are used to doing extravagant eggs on Easter weekend and are unable to do so, that's okay! Just simplify the routine; grab an egg and a marker or some food colouring. Go old school with socks and leaves outside to get natural designs! The kids will have a blast and your tradition is saved!

Share 'the meal', even if it's different

Even if your aren't able to make the traditional meal you eat on Easter and aren't able to eat with all of the people you usually do, continue the simplicity trend! The tradition is the meal with family, not what you are eating! So grab a bowl of cereal or whatever you have and eat with all of your family members via facetime, skype, zoom... whatever way you can be together and share a smile with one another!

Make a new tradition; quarantine edition

If you are stuck inside, make a new indoor tradition! Last night we played cards; this morning my sister and I made muffins, we watched a movie with the family and drank some fresh chai tea.

Remember the true meaning

Whatever way you grew up, whatever way you celebrate, in which ever religion or belief system, you celebrate this holiday for a specific reason; whether it be biblical or just a weekend dedicated to time with family. Get your family and friends together digitally or just by yourself; remember the true meaning behind this holiday.

Connect with love

It may be upsetting not to see your family this weekend , but don't just forget about them! Give them a call, write them a letter. If you can, make them a fun card or bake some muffins and drop them off on the porch! Spread the love this year, even if it isn't in person!

#easter #quarantine #spreadlove #traditions