It's that time of year when the kids get to go on their annual Easter egg hunt! It's all bunnies and baskets, colored eggs and candy! And is it your turn to wear the bunny suit?
But in the real aspect of the holiday... where did all these commercial traditions come from? Is it just from companies that want to sell candy? And why a bunny, and why eggs? The real reason might surprise you!
The Easter Bunny, many historians claim, came from ancient times when a rabbit was the symbol of fertility and life. Christians adopted the bunny as a sign of rebirth for Christ's resurrection. Same with eggs, as early Christians were not allowed to eat eggs during the 40 days of Lent. So what was the first thing they wanted to eat after Lent? Eggs! Some historians state early Christians painted their eggs red to represent the blood of Christ.
Over 2 billion Christians worldwide will celebrate Easter. According to PAAS, the egg coloring kit company, over 180 million eggs will get colored in the USA for Easter. Peeps reports that 1.5 billion candy peeps will be consumed over the Easter holidays. Easter is currently celebrated in 95 countries and 80% of Americans will celebrate Easter in one fashion or another.
And while some of us are celebrating Easter let us wish a "Ramadan Mubarak" to our Muslim friends and a "Chag Purim Sameach" to our Jewish friends!
I'm feelin' lucky! Are you?
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's exploration of Easter traditions got me thinking about how holidays bring families together across generations. Here's something that might surprise you: many of today's retirees are spending more on grandchildren during holidays than previous generations did. According to AARP's recent research, grandparents contribute an average of $1,986 annually to grandchildren's activities and gifts, with major holidays like Easter, Christmas, and birthdays making up a big portion of that spending.
If you're planning your retirement budget, it's worth considering these "joy expenses" alongside your essential costs. When people ask me "How much should I budget for family gifts and holiday celebrations in retirement?", I usually suggest tracking what you spend during one full year of holidays and family events. That gives you a realistic baseline for your retirement income planning. The Social Security Administration's 2026 cost-of-living adjustments help, but discretionary spending like Easter baskets for the grandkids comes from your overall retirement strategy.
The good news is that planning for these happy moments is actually easier than most people think, and it makes retirement so much more enjoyable when you can say yes to creating memories with family.