We have all grown accustomed to the Easter traditions practiced by our own families. When I was young, the night before Easter Sunday was spent building plastic straw nests around the house in anticipation of the Easter Bunny filling them with goodies by morning. Some families engage in Easter egg hunts or simply celebrate with a special family dinner.
However your family celebrated, you may be interested in changing or adding to your own traditions with your children. Read about how different countries recognize this holiday and see if any of their traditions pique your interest!
Easter in Scotland (Photo Credit: BBC)
1. Scotland
In Scotland, children hard boil eggs and paint them on Easter Saturday. On Easter Sunday, they take their eggs to the top of a steep hill and have a race to see whose egg gets to the bottom first.
2. Hungary
Hungarian kids trade hard boiled eggs and then see who can be the first to throw a coin into the egg. It must stay in the egg and not just chip off a piece of the shell. Apparently, pennies and dimes work best.
3. Bulgaria
Bulgarians cracks eggs after midnight on Easter Sunday. The first one is cracked against the church wall then everyone cracks their eggs against each others. The one left with an unbroken egg will receive a year of good luck.
4. Greece
In Greece, everyone gathers at the midnight service and all the lights in the church are turned off. A priest comes through the church doors with a lighted candle and lights the candle of someone sitting in the first pew. In turn, the one candle lights the rest of the candles in the church. This represents the Light of the Resurrection and everyone receives it.
Easter in Poland (Photo Credit: Lodzpost)
5. Poland
For Poland, the Easter basket is the highlight of the day! The older family members make them for the younger ones and fill them with Easter eggs, homemade bread, ham, butter lamb and Polish sausages.
Easter in Finland (Photo Credit: Kontiki Finland)
6. Finland
The Finnish greet their friends and family by whisking them with small willow twigs to wish them luck in the following year. On Easter Sunday they exchange eggs, candies or money to repay the favor.
7. Russia
Russians celebrate Easter for an entire week. When people greet they give each other three kisses. The children play a game with their Easter eggs where they tap their egg against another player’s egg. The first person who breaks an egg must give it to the other player.
Easter in Sweden (Photo Credit: The Local)
8. Sweden
On the Thursday before the Easter weekend, children dress in old clothes, paint their cheeks red and don colorful head scarves. They then travel door-to-door, offering to trade drawings or small gifts for candy. Unlike Halloween, it is less a threat for a treat than a friendly bargain.
If you’re looking to shake up your usual Easter traditions, you can always consider some of these from around the world!
Notice a certain motif when it comes to eggs? Eggs are a popular symbol of Easter, dating back to the days when Easter was originally a celebration of fertility. No matter the reason why you celebrate this holiday, incorporating eggs is part of the fun! Check out these Easter eggs from around the globe!
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