Easter Bunnies

If you’re like me… you want to hurry the change of seasons along with some springtime decor. Fresh blossoms, green grasses and other iconic symbols of rebirth after a brutal winter are just what the Doctor ordered. Few spring additions are complete without at least a nod to the Easter holiday complete with colorful eggs and the legendary Easter Bunny.

I’ve read that ancient Saxons celebrated the return of Spring with a “lively” festival commemorating the goddess of fertility & offspring which they called Eostre or Eastre. Coincidentally, early Christian missionaries celebrated the resurrection of Christ at the same time. Like Christmas, the line between the vastly different meanings for Easter was blurred. And since antiquity, the egg and the rabbit have been both been symbols of fertility. (Breeding like rabbits comes to mind) So it makes sense that these busy little animals and their offspring would become symbolic of fertility and springtime.

The Easter Bunny is widely believed to have been derived from traditions brought to the New World by German immigrants to the Pennsylvania Dutch settlements in the 1700s. The character, much like Santa Claus, would leave gifts for good children on Easter eve. The bunny was believed to “lay” eggs because of it’s nesting habits. Children would build “nests” in their hats and bonnets in anticipation of a visit from the Osterhase (German for Easter Bunny). The hats and bonnets have been replaced with our modern-day Easter basket.

As to decorating for Spring & Easter, there is truly a fine line between done and over done. Most decorative themes will tolerate a little pastel. But a little goes a long way. Think in terms of small statements tucked into your every day decor featuring cheerfully colored eggs, spring-time blossoms, grass filled baskets, and those prolific bunnies. I recommend erring on the side of caution however so your spring statement won’t look like the Easter Bunny threw up all over your house.

Here’s to fast return to warmer weather!!!