Margaret Hiatt

From dyeing eggs to opening baskets of gifts, Easter is celebrated in many different ways. Some of Marian girls’ favorite traditions are egg dyeing, Easter egg hunts and Easter baskets. Many students also said their favorite Easter tradition was visiting a special family member. Easter gives people an opportunity to connect with their family and celebrate Jesus’s resurrection together.

Sophomore Sophia Losole celebrates Easter in an especially unique way.
Her family plays bingo. “We get really into it. We get really competitive,” Losole said. Losole competes against her extended family for a randomly drawn cash prize. “My grandma saw an instagram post about a bingo set,” Losole said, “and since then
we play at every major holiday.” Losole loves the tradition and appreciates her family’s unique celebration.

Junior Alaira Hadford does something a bit more traditional. “My family does a scavenger hunt to find our Easter baskets,” she said. Hadford said it makes the holiday feel special and magical. “Seeing how excited it makes my younger siblings makes Easter feel like a joyous event,” Hadford said.

“Do these traditions take away from the real meaning of Easter?” is one question frequently asked. The candy, outfits, and activities can cause people to forget that the purpose of Easter is to celebrate Christ.

These traditions can be seen as a way to celebrate Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. Christians, specifically Catholics, have long used symbols to represent their relationship with God.

The tradition of coloring eggs has its roots in Christ. The tradition originated with early Christians in the Middle East. They colored eggs red to represent Christ’s blood and His sacrifice. Easter baskets are a symbol of a celebratory feast and breaking of a fast. During Lent, Catholics give up something or do something special in their lives as a sacrifice to commemorate Jesus’s suffering. Indulging in the basket filled with treats is often how people break their Lenten fasts.

Hadford challenged herself to give up Instagram for her Lenten sacrifice. “It was a challenge but I did it to honor Jesus and also better myself and my social media habits,” Hadford said. “I was looking forward to breaking my fast and getting back on Instagram. It felt good to reconnect with others and catch up on what my friends had posted.”

People originally filled baskets with food and had them blessed. The tradition of a feast in a basket remained a core element of the holiday. According to History. com, the Easter Bunny was originally a pagan symbol of rebirth. This symbol was associated with the holiday because of Christ’s rebirth.

Many people are unaware of what Easter traditions represent. People often scrutinize what the holiday has transformed into and its focus on the material.

One of the main criticisms is directed to corporations as businesses profit from Easter decorations and activities. People believe that corporations shouldn’t try to make money off a religious holiday.

The high prices of Easter traditions restrict certain people from participating. Not everyone can afford to buy candy or dye eggs for their family. Many critics argue that the holiday has become focused on materialistic traditions, just like other holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

“Once you get older, the celebrations have more meaning. When you’re young, it’s harder to understand what they symbolize,” Losole said. The traditions have become a quintessential element of the Easter holiday and their meanings can evolve as people grow older and learn more about the symbolism.

“I think celebrations enhance the holiday because it reminds people that it is a day to celebrate and helps make Easter feel like a special celebration,” Losole said.

At the end of the day, Easter’s main focus is to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus with loved ones.