My son is 3.5 and my daughter is 1.5. Up until this point I haven't really done anything for Easter. Now that my son is a bit older I want to do something this year, but have slacked.
As a rule we go to church on Saturday night of Easter weekend. (The good/bad news is my daughter doesn't get a new Easter dress because wearing a dress on Saturday night is a bit out of place.)
My husband and I have decided that there will be no fictional characters at our house (no Santa, no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy) because we don't want to set the example to our kids that lying is ever acceptable. We also don't want them to think we're lying about God since He is less tangible than these characters who bring presents.
Here's my dilemma--though my husband thinks I'm a little crazy, I still would like to do Easter baskets, an Easter egg hunt, etc. for them. How would I do this and have it be from Mom and Dad?
I've done the Resurrection Eggs with my son several times since last year (he sees them in the closet and constantly asks to "play eggs")
Any other suggestions?
we don't do Santa either and we have never done the Easter bunny. we do hide plastic eggs and let them find them. we buy them one movie they both like and that is their Easter gift... this year is the new chipmunk one out this week! Christmas they each get three gifts from us, because Jesus got three and they have never complained because that is what they know. we don't even fill our stockings.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, we don't do fictional characters either. For all the same reasons that you listed, plus, we want them to appreciate the things they get at Christmas, Easter, etc. and to be thankful to the giver.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are older, so of course, they understand now that these things are from Mom and Dad (or Grandma, Grandpa, whomever). When they were little we used to have all the stuff set out in another room and then bring them in and say, "SURPRISE!" They just automatically assumed the things were from us and said, "Thank you, Mommy and Daddy!" We would read a story pertaining to whichever holiday it was and explain that they got these things in celebration of what that day represented. "We gave you these baskets full of treats because we are celebrating Jesus and what He did for us." --Insert Resurrection story here--
I don't really have any other ideas. We do the egg hunt, but the kids know that Daddy hides them and its a fun game! There is a cartoon version of "The Passion" which we bought a few years ago and we watch it on Good Friday. It gives them a visual representation of Jesus's sacrifice.
Good luck! No matter what you do, I am sure your kids will know you love them and appreciate what you do for them!
Here is link that has a lot of traditions.. maybe you could incorporate some of them into what you so. http://fullhomelydivinity.org/eggs.htm
ReplyDeleteI think we are going to try this one as well http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/resurrectioncookies.html
ReplyDeleteI don't have anything to add to these great suggestions. I think candy/egg hunting sans Bunny is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI never believed in the Easter Bunny but still LOVED doing egg hunts each year! We always knew after church one of our parents was hiding eggs; then we found them. There was always one "Prize Egg"--a big one with a bit of money in it.
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