Easter Traditions Around the Globe

U.S. – Meredith Obreiter, Senior Marketing Specialist/Graphic Designer

• Christians attend church services to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection and ascension to Heaven. These services are often at sunrise.
• Families with children often have “Easter baskets” waiting for children in the morning (purportedly brought by the “Easter Bunny”). The baskets contain items like candy, decorated hard-boiled eggs, chocolate bunnies, or small gifts. One Easter treat in the U.S., called Peeps, is made of marshmallow and is the subject of an ongoing, but lighthearted, debate around whether they are delicious or awful. I happen to LOVE them!
• Parades are somewhat common. As a child, I used to dress up for church and Easter parades. I had a special “Easter” dress that I still remember.

Singapore – Racheal Foo, Manager, Marketing – APAC

• Good Friday is a public holiday in Singapore, with Christians attending a special church service on both the Friday and Easter Sunday.
• Children indulge in Easter egg hunts and egg painting.
• Large hotels also offer special Easter menus and buffets.

UK – Louise Koncowski, Senior Communications & Content Development Specialist

• In the UK (and across Europe), Christians attend church on either Easter Saturday night or early on Easter Sunday.
• In addition to exchanging chocolate eggs with loved ones, hot cross buns are another delicious Easter treat. These doughy buns are filled with raisins, can be toasted or eaten fresh, and are often lathered in butter. Each bun has a cross on the top, which symbolizes Christ on the cross. (In my house, it is essential hot cross buns are served with a nice cup of tea!)
• Schools and nurseries may also hold Easter bonnet competitions, where children are encouraged to decorate a hat with Easter chicks and flowers. The winner usually wins a chocolate egg.