Fun Easter traditions like the Bunny, Easter Eggs and Candy

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The furry bunny rabbit became a part of American Easter traditions during the 1700s (probably).  Historians believe German immigrants get the credit for our Easter Bunny tradition.  These immigrants brought their tradition of an egg-bearing bunny they called “osterhase”.   These families built a nest in which their bunny could lay its colored eggs and left out carrots for the Easter bunny to eat.  This tradition spread across the United States and over time, the “eggs in a nest” evolved into colorful baskets filled with chocolate and other candies and gifts.

Easter Eggs

Historians mention that eggs symbolize new life.  Another explanation gives the Christian perspective of Jesus resurrection from the tomb (grave). Decorated Easter eggs can be traced back to the 13^th century.  This explanation says that eggs were a forbidden food during Lent.  After Lent, the people decorated and enjoyed eating the pretty and tasty egg as a part of their Easter celebration. 

Americans added to the Easter egg traditions with the Egg Roll and Easter Egg Hunt.  The White House Easter Egg Roll occurs on the Monday after Easter when children roll decorated, hard boiled eggs on the White House lawn.  This tradition began in 1878 when Rutherford B Hayes was President.

Easter Candy

Three of the most popular Easter candies are chocolate eggs, marshmallow Peeps, and jelly beans.  In America, Halloween ranks #1 with the most candy sales and Easter follows as second.  We have Europe to thank for those yummy chocolate eggs developed in the 19^th century. Peeps (the marshmallow flavored yellow chicken, now expanded into other shapes and flavors) were first sold in the 1950s by the Pennsylvania candy company Just Born.   In the 1930s jelly beans became linked to Easter.