Easter celebrations often include joyful family activities and church events. It is a time for bringing family and friends together, whether for a special meal, an outdoor picnic, or a church service.
Bringing the spirit of Easter into your home often involves shopping for special items, such as pastel-colored outfits, decorative pieces, fresh flowers and treats for Easter baskets. Planning a menu that includes traditional Easter dishes, coordinating games, and other arrangements can help create a warm and festive gathering. Many purchase chocolates, candies, and baking ingredients to prepare flavorful goodies. Others also invest in thoughtful gifts, such as religious keepsakes, books, or handmade crafts, can add a personal touch to Easter celebrations. Dyeing Easter eggs and organizing an Easter egg hunt can also be fun. Preparing Easter baskets filled with chocolates, small toys, and meaningful gifts can turn out to be a thoughtful tradition. All these activities create cherished memories, strengthen bonds with loved ones and keep it festive.
Easter can be a time of deep spiritual reflection for many as well. Preparing for Easter spiritually is a rich tradition reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. You can dive into practices that can deepen your devotional time and connection with God. Preparation often starts with Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter. It began on Ash Wednesday, on March 5, and people often fast, give up something, like sweets or social media, or focus on prayer, and doing something charitable daily. You could skip a meal a day, cut out meat on Fridays, or give up something like coffee or screen time. The idea isn’t just deprivation—it’s about making space to rely on faith and spend more time with God.
Prayer ramps up during this season too. You might try a daily habit, like reading a Psalm each morning, using a devotional or a Bible app with short reflections tied to Easter themes. Even five quiet minutes a day, asking for clarity for daily challenges or being thankful for God’s blessings, can shift your focus. Repentance is another layer. This is not about guilt trips, but it should be about honesty. Take stock of where you’re at: habits you’d like to change, grudges you’re holding, or ways you’ve drifted from what matters to you.
Holy Week is the final stretch before Easter. It begins with Palm Sunday. Grab a palm branch if you’re near a church doing it and read about Jesus entering Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday is the day that commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with His disciples. Some just share a simple meal with bread and wine, or juice, and reflect on service, maybe washing someone’s feet figuratively by helping out. Giving to others is a way of living out your faith as well. Donate to a cause, volunteer, or just do small acts of kindness daily. It’s less about the amount and more about the heart behind it. Good Friday is a great time to read and remember the crucifixion story. Then Holy Saturday is perfect for quiet time, reflection and meditation about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then Easter Sunday, which will be April 20, 2025, marks the resurrection of Jesus.
If you’re new to this, maybe pick one practice, and build from there. If you’ve got a tradition already, think of what has worked for you before and possibly add a new one this year. Check the list below and choose things you can do to prepare your heart and your family for Easter.
Here is a list of some traditional activities to celebrate the Easter Season:
- Observe Lent
- Read Easter Bible Stories and Pray
- Participate in Acts of Charity
- Attend Church Services
- Set up Easter Decorations
- Get Flowers
- Make Crafts and Wreaths
- Dye Easter Eggs
- Plan an Easter Egg Hunt
- Prepare Easter Baskets and Gifts
- Plan Family Gatherings
- Set up Easter decorations
Happy Easter!