Easter Traditions

At The Happiness Box, we love Easter. We believe that it is a time to celebrate for a variety of reasons. Whether it has religious importance to people, celebrating Spring, or an opportunity to spend a few days with Family, we believe that it is a wonderful time of the year. Also, you can't discuss Easter without discuss chocolate! Easter is a time to give chocolate eggs and other goodies to friends and families, so why not send them one of our Letterbox Easter Chocolate Gifts? They are a great way to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them, whilst celebrating Easter.

To learn more about our various products, or to send a letterbox Easter Chocolate Gift, explore our website or contact us today!

Easter has a great deal of importance to people for a variety of reasons, so it is crucial to understand why we celebrate it. In today's blog, we will discuss the history of Easter and find out why chocolate eggs are popular.

Easter in The Bible

For those that follow Christianity, Easter (and lent) is a time for reflection and celebrating the life of Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus arose from the dead on Easter Sunday. On that first Easter, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried and found it empty. An angel appeared to her and said, "He is not here; he has risen!".

Because Jesus had conquered death, Christians believe that they, too, will rise from the dead after they die. For them, Easter is a time of hope and joy. Importantly, Easter is a time when Christians remember Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Hence, reflection is a key part of Easter, and has been reflected in modern society.

Why are Chocolate Eggs Popular at Easter Time?

Before chocolate was involved, eggs were considered a symbol of the Easter period. The tradition of gifting eggs at Easter time is thought to have Pagan roots. Eggs symbolise new life, and often appeared in pagan festivals celebrating spring. For Christians, eggs symbolise the empty tomb of Jesus when he was crucified as well as representing new life.

In Spring, we often see plenty of new wildlife, including chicks and lamb. Hence, they are commonly associated with Eater due to the season.

The first chocolate Easter eggs were created in France and Germany in the early 19th century. Chocolate was a luxury item at the time, so these chocolate eggs were only given to children from wealthy families. The tradition of giving chocolate eggs at Easter time soon became popular, and by the late 19th century, confectioners were mass-producing chocolate eggs. Cadbury really revolutionised the tradition of chocolate eggs in 1875, as they used pure cocoa butter, that was easily moulded into the smooth, hollow egg shape we see today. Due to the popularity and affordability of Cadbury's chocolate in the UK, this saw the tradition explode and has only grown since.

Chocolate eggs are now one of the most popular Easter gifts, and come in all shapes and sizes. You can even get letterbox Easter chocolate! Whether you like your eggs plain or filled with surprises, there's an egg out there for everyone.

So why not try something different this Easter and give your loved ones a letterbox Easter Chocolate Gift set from The Happiness Box?

But Why Chocolate?

Once again, this derives from the Christian tradition of Lent. On Shrove Tuesday (commonly known as pancake day) many people would get rid of a lot of their sweet food in preparation for Lent. Giving up luxury foods was a show of faith to Christianity as the 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days and nights in which Jesus wandered the desert. This was an opportunity for Christians to show their devotion to their religion and become closer to Jesus.

Chocolate was one of the key things to go, as it derived from cocoa beans, which grew in South America - a place that many Christians had never been, and so was seen as a luxury. So, many people see chocolate as a symbol of pleasure and indulgence, marking the end of a period of deprivation.

This has been adopted by many people in modern-day society, regardless of religion. For many, Lent is an opportunity to better themselves and to get rid of bad habits. Hence, as before, many people give up chocolate for Lent. Therefore, it is one of the ways to reward people for sacrificing something for the period.

So, if you or a loved one have given up chocolate for Lent, why not purchase one of our Letterbox Easter Chocolate Gifts as a reward for yourself or a loved one?

Other Traditions During Easter

Easter isn't just a thing in the UK, it is celebrated by many cultures across the world. Here are some of the most interesting Easter traditions around the world.

• World's Biggest Omelette - France: The town of Haux celebrates Easter with a giant omelette. More than 4,500 eggs are cracked into a single pan to create the massive dish, which serves over 1,000 people. The tradition is said to have started in the 18th century, when a group of hungry soldiers stopped in Haux and were treated to an omelette made from all the eggs they could find.
• Splashing - Hungary: In Hungary, women dress up in traditional clothes on Easter Sunday and get splashed with water, or sometimes even have a bucket of water chucked over them! This is thought to symbolise the washing away of sins and is seen as a cleansing ritual. Some women take it one step further and actually swim in the river Danube on Easter morning - although this is not without its risks, as the water can be quite cold this time of year!
• Whipping - Czech Republic & Slovakia: This is an odd one. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Easter is also marked by a tradition of whipping girls with willow switches. Local men and boys roam the streets with gaily decorated willow switches, usually adorned with ribbons, looking for girls to 'lightly' whip. This is supposed to bring them good luck for the year ahead. Ouch!
• The Easter Bilby - Australia: In an attempt to raise awareness about the dwindling Bilby population, confectioners in Australia have taken to making chocolate likenesses of this small rabbit-size marsupial. The Bilby is a shy and gentle creature which is sadly in danger of becoming extinct, so it's hoped that this new tradition will help to bring attention to the issue and inspire people to take action. So next time you're enjoying a chocolate Easter egg, spare a thought for the Bilby!
• Witches of Easter - Finland: It's not just pumpkins that are carved into scary faces at Halloween - in Finland, children dress up as witches and wander the streets on a hunt for treats. The tradition is believed to have originated from a belief that the witches come out to play on Easter night. If a child can catch a witch, they can make them give them a treat! So if you're in Finland around Easter time, be careful - you might get caught by a little witch!

Celebrate Easter with The Happiness Box

Regardless of why you celebrate Easter, we believe that it is a great opportunity to show your love to family and friends. A great way of doing this is by sending them one of our Letterbox Easter Chocolate Giftsets and Hampers. They come stacked with a variety of treats and presents to show just how much you appreciate your loved one. If our Letterbox Easter Chocolate Gifts don't tickle your fancy, then explore our site, we have a wide variety of hampers and giftsets, so we are certain you'll find the perfect gift!