Easter's coming and I'm already stressed. Saw neighbor's Instagram with elaborate brunch table and hand-painted eggs that look like works of art. Meanwhile I can't remember if we still have plastic eggs from last year or if dog ate them.
Kids keep asking what we're doing for Easter and I keep saying we'll figure it out.
Resurrection Eggs Because Someone Told Me To
Sister-in-law told me about putting random junk in plastic eggs that tells Easter story. Sounded complicated but turns out you just grab whatever.
Used goldfish crackers for bread at last supper, penny for Judas being traitor, paperclip bent into cross, tissue for empty tomb. Kids loved hunting for them.
Messed up first time though. Didn't number them and Jacob found empty tomb first. Had to explain why Jesus was already gone before we talked about him dying. Made zero sense.
Also put actual dinner roll in one year. Found it weeks later moldy and disgusting behind bush. Stick to fake food.
Takes about ten minutes to set up and kids actually pay attention which is miracle.
Easter Morning Boxes Because I Felt Guilty
Started these when Emma was little because felt bad we didn't do huge baskets like other families. Just small boxes with random stuff.
New underwear, some candy, dollar store toy, note about God loving them written on whatever paper I could find.
Usually throw together Saturday night while watching Netflix and panicking about being unprepared.
But now it's tradition. Emma asks about her box starting in February. Jacob keeps every note even though my handwriting looks like chicken scratched it.
Found all his notes shoved in shoebox under bed. Some say weird things like "God thinks you're funny" on back of grocery receipt. But he saved them all.
Cookie Decorating Chaos
Make cross-shaped cookies day before Easter. Buy tube dough because tried making from scratch once and wanted to cry.
Kids go absolutely insane with decorating. Emma uses half bottle of sprinkles on one cookie. Jacob makes perfect designs because he's that kid.
Kitchen looks like craft store exploded afterward. Found purple icing on ceiling once and still don't know how it got there.
But they love it and cookies help them survive long church service without dying of boredom.
Living Room Church When Real Church Doesn't Happen
Sometimes can't get to actual church. Someone pukes at 6am or weather's terrible or I completely forgot to do laundry and nobody has clean clothes.
So we have Easter service in pajamas on couch. Read story from phone app, play whatever worship songs YouTube suggests, let kids take turns being pastor.
Their sermons are weird but sweet. Emma preached about Jesus probably having pet sheep. Jacob did twenty-minute sermon about disciples being scared like when you watch scary movie.
Not theologically perfect but they ask more questions when it's just us.
Plant Something That Might Not Die
Every year try Easter garden thing. Get cheap flowers at Walmart that don't look dead yet, stick in pot with dirt that goes everywhere.
Make little crosses from twigs found in yard. Kids love getting hands dirty even though I hate cleaning up mess.
Most plants die within week because I forget to water them. But Emma's from two years ago somehow survived and she talks to it which is weird but cute.
This year seriously considering fake flowers and not telling anyone.
Cinnamon Roll Easter Breakfast
Most basic tradition ever. Eat Pillsbury cinnamon rolls before getting dressed for church.
Kids act like it's most special thing in world. Jacob asks about "Easter breakfast" starting in March like we're planning elaborate feast.
It's literally three-dollar tube cinnamon rolls but he thinks it's amazing.
Just stand around kitchen eating them with hands and talking about random stuff. Sometimes simplest things matter most.
Neighbor Candy Baskets
Always buy way too much Easter candy because have zero self-control at Target. So make little baskets for neighbors to get rid of some before I eat it all.
Throw in candy, grab cheap flowers from grocery store, write "Happy Easter" on whatever scrap paper available.
Kids love playing delivery service even though takes forever because Emma has to personally hand each one to people and have full conversation.
Mrs. Peterson still mentions basket we gave her three years ago. Made her whole week apparently.
Random Disasters and Successes
Tried elaborate Easter egg hunt once with clues and maps. Kids got confused and frustrated. Next year just hid eggs around yard. Way better.
Made hot cross buns from Pinterest recipe. Took four hours and tasted like cardboard. Stick with store-bought everything.
Had Easter dinner where turkey was still frozen in middle. Ordered pizza and kids thought it was coolest Easter ever.
Emma asked why Easter bunny brings eggs when bunnies don't lay eggs. Good question. Made up story about bunny being friends with chickens. She bought it.
Jacob wanted to know if Jesus ever got Easter baskets as kid. Another good question with no good answer.
Things That Actually Work
Don't try to do everything you see on Pinterest. Pick like two things and call it good.
Let kids help even when they mess everything up. They don't care if cookies look professional.
Simple beats elaborate every time. More plans equals more chances for disaster.
Include Jesus but don't make it feel like homework. They need to know why we celebrate but also need to have fun.
Start traditions that fit your family not someone else's Instagram feed.
Why We Even Bother
Easter is about Jesus beating death so we can have hope when everything falls apart. Pretty big deal.
Kids need to know this story and feel like it matters to their family.
Traditions help them remember important things even when traditions are imperfect.
Sometimes best memories come from disasters anyway. Pizza Easter is still family legend.
Getting Started When You're Behind
Pick one or two things that sound doable. Don't try everything first year.
Use what you already have instead of buying all new stuff.
Ask kids what they want to do. They might have simpler ideas than you think.
Remember point is celebrating Jesus not impressing anyone.
If kids have fun and feel loved you succeeded even if nothing went according to plan.
Truth About Easter Celebrations
Perfect Easter doesn't exist. Something will go wrong and that's normal.
Kids remember feelings more than details. Did they feel loved and special? That's what matters.
Easter is about new life and hope. Your messy celebration fits that theme perfectly.
Jesus rose from dead. Pretty sure he can handle imperfect Easter traditions.
Don't stress about making it perfect. Make it yours.
Most important thing is kids knowing Easter matters to your family and Jesus's resurrection changes everything.
Rest is just details that might work out or might not. Either way is fine.
