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[E47]Easter Traditions And Customs

by Corina Clemence, Cor

In France, Easter is called Paques and Shrove Tuesday is referred to as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. In France, church bells ring joyfully during the year. But the bells stop ringing on the Thursday before Good Friday. They are silent for a few days while people remember the death of Jesus. On Easter Sunday morning, the bells ring out, telling people that Jesus is alive again. When people hear the bells, they kiss and hug one another.

Easter is celebrated in France much as it is in America, with cultural customs with rabbits, chocolates and eggs and various religious ceremonies commemorating the rebirth of Jesus. Roman-Catholic is the predominant religion in France is (90%). In France no city, village or town is without a church. A surprising number of the churches date back to the twelfth century or before.

Most churches have a bell, which is rung joyfully throughout the year marking various events and the passage of time. In France all church bells are silenced on the Thursday before Good Friday, in acknowledgement of Christ's crucifixion. They are rung again on Easter Sunday in celebration of his resurrection. In fun, children are told that the bell's chimes have flown to Rome when they were silenced on the Thursday before Easter Friday to see the Pope and fetch their eggs.

Early on Easter morning, French children rush into the garden to watch the bells "Fly back from Rome." As the little ones are busy scanning the sky for a glimpse of the returning bells, their parents and grandparents hide chocolate eggs.

The French allot a three-day weekend which they usually use to spend time with family. Schools (or at least two of the three regions over France) and universities tend to allocate the second spring holiday (two weeks for each of them) around Easter. England normally only has the one centred around Easter.

Easter typically marks the start of the "high" season for tourists, and accommodation prices rise accordingly. Easter is the start of a spring of holidays with three (often more often four) day holidays in May when the celebratory day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday and everyone takes Monday or Friday off as well.

In France chocolate eggs look more like works of art than anything edible. They are truly amazing. Lots of people stroll along the avenues peering into the shop windows as if they are at a museum or art show.

At Easter the chocolatiers also display chocolate fish or poisson d'Avril which are enjoyed throughout the entire Easter season first appearing in shops on April 1st. The French equivalent of April fools is when children try to stick paper fish on to the back of as many adults as possible running away squealing "Posson du Avril" - April Fish not April Fool.

The average family has 2.4 children and easter gifts can break a budget in a hurry. Here are some wonderful easter memory creating ideas that won't break the bank.

1. Bunny Paw prints
Grab an old shoe box lid and cut out big bunny paw print to make a stencil . On "Easter Eve" use the stencil to make paw prints through your house by sprinkling baking soda in the stencil. Turn it over to make left and right feet. (the baking soda vacuums up off the carpet)

2. Easter Eggstravaganza
For most kids, easter is not easter without decorating eggs. This year instead of letting the kids have all the fun, start a tradition that involves the whole family. Throw an annual Easter egg decorating contest. Choose enough categories so everyone gets a chance to win. Some categories might be: funniest egg, most original egg, scariest egg, or celebrity egg. The wackier the categories, the more fun you will have decorating and judging. Ask everyone to submit an egg and display them on the kitchen table. Ask Grandma and Grandpa to be the judges. Before you know it, you will have trouble finding judges because everyone will want to decorate an egg!

3. Follow the Ribbon
This is a simple tradition that doesn't take much preparation. All you will need to do is buy some narrow inexpensive ribbon from a local craft store. Choose a different color for each member of the family (15 to 25 yards per person depending on how crazy you want this to be). Once the kids are in bed, tie a ribbon to each of their hidden baskets and wind them in and out of the furniture and the other ribbons until you can't see where they began. Bring the ends to one central location (perhaps the kitchen table) as a place where your family can begin the entangled maze to find their baskets. Before you know it, everyone will be tangled in ribbons and laughs.

4. The Big People Egg Hunt
On Easter Sunday, gather the adults together and have them each hide one or more eggs somewhere on themselves. It might be in Grandma's apron pocket, Uncle Bob's boots, behind Dad's glasses, or under Grandpa's hat. This hunt isn't just for the little ones, it involves everyone and is a wonderful way to connect the generations. Your family will be sure to get a laugh as the kids poke around looking for hidden eggs. No one and no place is considered out of bounds. You'll definitely want your video camera ready for this Easter Egg Hunt.

5. Personalize Letter from the Easter Bunny!
What child does not get excited about getting mail? How about a personalized letter to your child from the Easter Bunny. This letter will be mailed directly to you child and talk about how mom and dad have told the easter bunny that he/she has been good. What an exciting memory for your child!

Easter baskets and gifts do not have to ruin your budget in order for them to be meaningful. These are just a few ways in which you can start some family easter traditions with your family.
Here's to a wonderful traditions filled Easter!

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Both Corina Clemence & Dawn Holland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Corina Clemence has sinced written about articles on various topics from Places to Visit in, Loire Valley and Dating and Romance. Corina Clemence runs a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing french holidays. It is also ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle o. Corina Clemence's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.

Dawn Holland has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gifts for loved ones. Dawn Holland owns http://www.BooksFromTheHearth.com where you can purchase personalized chilren's books and letters. To purchase your child's personalized Easter Bunny Letter, go to http://www.BooksFromTheHearth.com/home1.html and click on the "Custom Let. Dawn Holland's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.