A brief and perhaps slightly irreverent history of Easter traditions

By Lethbridge Herald on April 4, 2026.

For many, Easter begins not with chocolate or cartoon rabbits, but in quiet reverence. Church doors open early—sometimes very early—for sunrise services, a symbolic nod to the empty tomb discovered at dawn. Others gather later for Easter Sunday mass, dressed in their spring best, marking one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar: the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However one observes it the spiritual roots of Easter remain its oldest and most enduring tradition, dating back nearly 2,000 years.

From there however, things take a delightful—and occasionally baffling—turn…

Take hot cross buns for example. These spiced, sweet rolls marked with a cross are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with origins tracing back to at least the 12th century. Legend has it an Anglican monk first baked them to honour the crucifixion. Today, they’re less about reflection and more about whether you toasted them properly (a yearly struggle in my household).

Then come decorated eggs, one of Easter’s oldest surviving symbols outside the church. Eggs have long represented new life with decorated versions appearing in early Christianity—and even earlier in pagan spring festivals. By the Middle Ages, Europeans were dyeing eggs bright colours, a practice that has somehow evolved into modern kitchens resembling low-budget science labs.

Which brings us, quite naturally, to the Easter bonnet.

The tradition of wearing new or fine hats is tied to renewal—spring reflected in fresh wardrobes. By the 19th century, Easter had become an unofficial fashion debut, a chance to step out in something new after a long winter. At some point, subtlety gave way to spectacle. Bonnets grew larger and brighter, decorated with flowers and ribbons, often resembling mobile garden displays. It was part celebration, part status symbol, and part spring runway show.

Today, the Easter bonnet survives mostly as a nostalgic nod—though like many traditions, it occasionally resurfaces in enthusiastic, over-the-top fashion.

Not long after came the Easter Bunny…hopping onto the scene in 17th-century Germany. Originally known as the “Osterhase” this mythical rabbit was said to lay eggs for well-behaved children. Because nothing says “logical” like a rabbit delivering eggs. German immigrants brought the tradition to North America, and it stuck. Today, the Easter Bunny is a full-blown seasonal celebrity, complete with mall appearances and a PR team (presumably).

Closely following are Easter egg hunts which became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. The idea is simple: hide eggs, release children, and watch chaos unfold. Once real and decorated, eggs are now plastic, filled with candy, coins, or the occasional toy that breaks before lunchtime. Still, the thrill remains—and surprisingly competitive.

Around the same era came Easter baskets… evolving from children making nests for the Osterhase. Today, those “nests” are baskets overflowing with chocolate eggs, marshmallow chicks, and enough sugar to power a small city—a gesture equal parts generosity and premeditated sugar rush.

Speaking of chocolate… the 19th century also brought mass production, leading to the now-essential chocolate bunny. Hollow, solid, ears-first—it’s a deeply personal choice.

Then there’s the Easter Sunday meal, where families gather for a feast featuring ham or lamb alongside spring vegetables. Rooted in both religious observance and seasonal availability, it’s also where you discover who insists on overcooking everything “just to be safe.”

And finally—perhaps the most sacred of modern traditions—watching The Ten Commandments. For reasons no one has fully questioned, this nearly four-hour epic has become as much a part of Easter weekend as chocolate and church. It’s long, dramatic, and somehow always on right when you sit down “just for a few minutes.”

But no Easter reflection would be complete without acknowledging the slightly unsettling relics of holidays past: vintage Easter Bunny photos.

You’ve seen them. We’ve all seen them…especially if you spend any amount of time on Facebook. Those grainy snapshots featuring children perched on the lap of what can only be described as… a deeply questionable rabbit. The costumes? Somewhere between “handmade charm” and “low-budget horror film.” The expressions? Pure, unfiltered terror.

Frankly, some of those bunnies look less like bearers of joy and more like they wandered in from a Halloween clearance sale. It’s a minor miracle any of us made it through childhood without needing therapy—or at least a serious conversation about boundaries.

And yet, somehow, that’s the magic of Easter.

It’s a holiday that blends the sacred with the sweet, the ancient with the absurd. From solemn sunrise services to chocolate-fuelled egg hunts, it has evolved into something uniquely human: meaningful, messy, and occasionally ridiculous.

Which—when you think about it—might just be the most authentic tradition of all.