Easter - what do you do to celebrate? What do you buy for your children/relations?

[Sparklemagic]

I only ask because last year I was taken aback by how much my DH's family made of it - we always had eggs from my parents and then as we got older some money or a little pressie, but that was it really! My DH's parents and sister bought our DS numerous chocolate eggs, sweets and a new OUTFIT!

I felt quite embarrassed we only had basic easter eggs for their two! However TBH what with 2 lots of mothers day pressies and loads of family birthdays round this time of year I'm not sure we can run to this sort of pressie. Shall I be a meanie and buy simple eggs regardless?

My mum and dad get dd a new outfit while my sisters get her a dvd or something she wants- rather than loads of choc. I turn the day into a treasure hunt. I bought a little basket and those plastic eggs that you can fill up. I put a clue in them, as for what to put inside- anything. Last year I put bobbles, sweets and a pair of knickers in one- she was well chuffed. In fact more chuffed with the knickers that the gold necklace I put in one of them!

My family never made a fuss about Easter but we're not religious. I used to get quite a few eggs from relatives (big extended family) as I got older I was aware other kids got big prezzies, I never did but wasn't bothered.

We only buy one chocolate prezzie for dd and she gets one from the grandparents as well. We don't normally buy anything for her cousins but we don't see them all that often and won't see them over Easter as we live miles away, she doesn't get anything in return from them either.

We're all quite happy with the arrangement but it's all about expectations and what different families consider to be the 'norm' really.

Dd is only 23 mo so not sure what we'll do as she gets older.

Tarynsmummy, I love the treasure hunt idea, think I will pinch this! It's a brilliant idea to fill the little eggs with tiny gifts and much more fun than huge amounts of chocolate (which DS will get from other family members!)

where do you buy empty plastic eggs???

Chocolate eggs only anything else is just plain stupid.

We also always boil some eggs paint them and then race them down the garden path the winner gets a cream egg of mum. We are very competative in our family.

im greek so my fam make a big fuss.... loadsa food (really way to much food), coloured eggs that we go around smashing against each other (the one that doesnt smash is good luck), lighting candles, and loadsa drink....thats before u get into the religious celebration (i dont take part in)

but we still only buy chocolate easter eggs for each other.....

i must say tho that my dp (not greek) was quite supprised at the magnitude of our easter celebrations

Hiya Sparklemagic,
You can get the plastic eggs at card shops. I think I got them from Birthdays, they were only a couple of quid. You'll have to make sure they are big enough for your gifts. The thing about the treasure hunt is that you don't have to spend loads of money, kiddies are excited because they have to look for the eggs, its a bonus when they get a gift.

thanks Taryns

Wow, how amazing the greek celebrations sound bubblez - do you guy know how to party!!!!!

Its funny but I am getting quite into the idea of making something of Easter day, not as a religous thing because we are not religous, but more as a chance to have a celebration...will do Taryn's treasure hunt idea for DS, and as a tribute to Bubblez will have a really special dinner and ahem..some wine for the grown ups, sparkly of course .

It'll be a shamelessly unreligious festival to celebrate the end of this interminable winter - I am so ready for some bright colours and flowers!

lol..... glad that i was of some help

sounds like it's going to be a lovely occation...

if you dont have lots to spend on easter you could always tell people to bring a dish or a bottle, (not wanting to sound cheap) but that is how our celebrations get so big every fam brings a dish and/or a bottle, that way the host/hostest(my nan usually)doesnt have to do soooo much.... just an idea...

thanks bubblez!