Easter of 2025
Finally, some more free days have arrived! Easter is such a lovely time of year. We usually go somewhere with friends - like a proper vacation with accommodation and everything. Last year, for the first time for me, we stayed at home and took day trips around our capital city. This year, we’re planning to do the same. After three very difficult and exhausting (though amazing) weeks, I’ve decided to join just two out of the four planned trips.
I usually try to do traditional activities like decorating eggs, but I won’t be doing that this year. Most of my friends aren’t interested, and it seems like people around us just don’t care much anymore. I think we’ll bring those traditions back when we have kids, but for now, it’s not that important. Still, my mother-in-law (I'm lucky to have amazing in-laws) brought us some chocolates, Easter grass with decorations, and other little things - including a delicious Easter lamb cake (which we ate two weeks early because it was so good and we were worried it might go bad). I really appreciate these small touches; they make our home feel a bit more like spring has arrived.
Wednesday
My free time started on Wednesday with my mum’s birthday party. For the last two years, I haven’t been a big fan of large family gatherings, but this was such a nice evening. We met after work, congratulated her, and gave her presents. I crocheted a giraffe plushie for her - something she wanted but had forgotten about - and she was delighted. Since I love crocheting gifts, my next plushie will be for her boyfriend so the giraffe won’t be lonely. I’m already looking forward to it. We also played a little game (called Bomb? Or something like that) - we’re a family of board game lovers. The basic rule is to say words that match a given task, like starting, ending, or containing certain letters. For some reason, I always struggle with the “letters in the middle” challenge. For example, if the letters are “ma” and should be in the middle of the word, my family tries to help with hints.
Me: “I don’t know, her name?” (My sister has a dog, so he used her as an example.)
Husband: “No, I mean when you want her to do something.”
Me: “Sit?”
Truly, I was clueless. The word was, of course, “command,” which I realized after the conversation. But my family laughed, so at least I made them happy. It’s always nice to laugh together.
Thursday
Thursday was a free day for me, as I took vacation from work. My colleagues told me to relax and absolutely not to open any work emails. So, I relaxed. It was also the first day of “Aunt Irma” (for those not familiar with the IT Crowd reference, my period arrived), so I was grateful for the chance to do nothing. There was an event in our small town, mainly for kids, about painting eggs and decorating gingerbreads, so I attended for a while and decorated a few gingerbreads. We were introduced to the dotting method, which was new to me. I must say, I prefer the standard decorating method. I also discovered that the community center where the event was held is also a library - luckily open that day - so I visited it for the first time (since we haven’t lived here long) and, of course, borrowed four books.
Friday
Friday was Zoo day with friends. It rained almost all day, which was surprising, because we’re not used to that - when my husband plans something, he usually orders good weather and gets it. But maybe it was for the best. We still enjoyed ourselves; I had a thermos of hot tea ready, and we managed to see almost all the outdoor enclosures without getting caught in the rain. When it started pouring, we simply headed to the indoor exhibits. The rain actually worked in our favor - there were far fewer people (and kids) than usual, especially for a holiday. One of the best things about visiting the zoo in spring is seeing all the baby animals. We spotted two baby gorillas, both less than a year old, some little giraffes, and many more. I also got to practice my English, which I rarely use at work, because my husband invited his colleague who isn’t from here. I was happy to have the chance to chat, and he was very talkative and had excellent English.
Saturday
Saturday was a rest day for me. My husband went on a trip with friends, but I stayed home. I can only handle so much socializing, especially after the last few years, which have been overwhelming - mostly due to stress. I’ve realized I need a mix: social time on Friday and Sunday, and rest days on Saturday and Monday. I’m also working on fighting my FOMO (fear of missing out) with this approach.
A Saturday at home also meant I had to cook lunch. Luckily, my husband is the best - he bought lasagna, one of the few meals I can actually make, since it just requires putting it in the oven and waiting. That I can do. The whole lasagna lasts for at least two meals, so I’ll have something to eat on Monday as well. I spent most of the day relaxing, writing another blog post, and researching blogging.
Sunday
Sunday brought sunshine again. The weather was beautiful all day, not a single cloud in the sky. We decided to visit the botanical garden in our city. It’s the time of year when new butterflies emerge and fly around the main greenhouse. In addition to beautiful exotic plants, visitors can see dozens of butterflies fluttering everywhere—not just the ones you see in meadows, but huge, colorful ones too. Even though touching them isn’t allowed, they’re not shy (and probably don’t know the rule, since they’re butterflies), and they often land on people. One even landed on me multiple times - on my shoulder, head, and back. It sounds magical, but it was a bit scary for me (maybe because I’m generally afraid of bugs). But as my husband said, I looked like a Disney princess.
The whole botanical garden was stunning, too. Spring is just arriving, so many flowers and trees were blooming. For example, the Japanese garden was full of blooming sakura trees, which was absolutely lovely. It also seems like the staff are constantly updating the exhibits; friends who visit often say there’s something new every few months, which is wonderful.
Monday
Easter Traditions in Europe
Easter is one of the most important holidays across Europe, celebrated with a rich variety of customs and traditions that reflect both religious and local cultural influences.
Decorating Eggs: In many European countries, decorating eggs is a beloved tradition. In Central and Eastern Europe, eggs are often dyed and intricately painted using wax-resist or batik techniques. In countries like Poland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic, these beautifully decorated eggs—called pisanki or kraslice - are exchanged as gifts or used as festive decorations.
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Easter Food: Special foods are a highlight of Easter celebrations. In Italy, families bake dove-shaped cakes called colomba di Pasqua, while in the UK, hot cross buns are a seasonal treat. In Central Europe, lamb-shaped cakes (like the one I mentioned) are common, and in Greece, Easter bread called tsoureki is shared.
Easter Monday Traditions: Many European countries have unique customs for Easter Monday. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, boys playfully “whip” girls with braided willow branches decorated with ribbons—a tradition believed to bring health and youth for the coming year. In Hungary, boys sprinkle girls with perfume or water in a lighthearted ritual called “sprinkling.”
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Religious Observances: Across Europe, attending church services is central to Easter. In countries like Spain and Italy, elaborate processions fill the streets, with participants dressed in traditional robes, carrying statues, and singing hymns.
Spring Festivals and Markets: Many cities and towns host Easter markets and fairs, selling crafts, sweets, and seasonal decorations. In Germany and Austria, Easter trees (Osterbaum) are decorated with hanging eggs, while in Switzerland, children hunt for chocolate eggs hidden in gardens and parks.
Easter in Europe beautifully blends solemn religious observance with joyful, colorful customs that celebrate the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. Whether through food, crafts, or playful traditions, each country adds its own flavor to this special holiday.
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