rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.giftbasketsplus.com/store/”>Easter gift baskets is really most closely connected to Western Christianity, however. In the Roman Catholic Church, Easter is only part of an entire season of rituals and observances that begin forty-six days prior to Easter itself. Many who have experienced the revelry of Mardi Gras or Carnivale don’t realize that the “Fat Tuesday” celebration represents a last chance to party before entering that period called Lent – when the devout are expected to fast and give up meat, eggs and dairy. Lent ends on Easter, hence the tradition of a large, sumptuous family meal. At one time, it was a tradition for Roman Catholic families to carry the food for Easter dinner to Mass in a basket, where it could be blessed by the priest – harking back to the ancient tradition of bringing first crops and seedlings to the temple.
German immigrants to the U.S. contributed their own customs. “Pennsylvania Dutch” children eagerly awaited the Osterhase to deliver eggs on Easter Sunday, which he would deposit on his “rabbit’s nest” – hence the tradition of lining Easter gift baskets with grass (or more commonly today, artificial decorative grass).
Although considered a religious holiday, Easter is really a universal expression of renewal and new beginnings.
Anne Harvester is a homemaker extraordinaire with years of experience creating spectacular events and gifts. See her favorite Gift baskets, Easter gift baskets, childrens Easter gift.
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