Easter is almost here! I love the bright pastels, the green grass, and the Spring weather! How did you celebrate Easter as a kid? Was it a big holiday or just another Sunday?
When I was a kid, I could count on getting up and finding an Easter basket sitting in a prominent place in the house. I would look through it excitedly, slip into my new Easter dress, and then head off to church. When I got home, I would put a dent in my Easter candy, but I don’t recall the rest of the day being much different than other Sundays.
Eric got an Easter basket on Easter Sundays too, but he had to look for his. One year, his parents hid it in his incredibly messy closest, assuming he would not be able to tell that someone had tampered with his stuff {Eric’s note: They also had me in my room when they were “hiding” it and then moved it into my room when I was at the other end of the house!}. Well, they under-estimated him. He could tell the basketball in his closet had been moved ever so slightly. ~smile~ Even when he seems messy, he still has a method to his madness!
After church, during dinner, his family would sit down and enjoy lamb together. Before marrying Eric, I had only ever eaten lamb in gyros and I had certainly never cooked it! I had to learn, though! ~smile~ Each year, Eric excitedly searches for a new lamb recipe. Since having lamb on Easter is such a big part of his childhood memories, I don’t see this tradition going anywhere anytime soon! ~smile~
Creating the Ultimate “Sweetheart” Easter Basket
This is a good time to put all the mental notes you have been taking about your sweetie to good use. He loves the Atlanta Braves. She loves dangling earrings. He loves Buffalo Wild Wings. She lives at Starbucks. He would stay outside all day if he had no responsibilities. She would watch every Disney movie she owns if she had nothing to do for a whole weekend.
The following is a guide; you may have a much better idea – if so, go for it! However, if you are one who likes to follow a plan, consider the following breakdown:
- Purchase an Easter basket in your sweetie’s favorite color. If he or she does not have a favorite color, just pick one you think he or she would enjoy.
- Fill 1/4 of the basket with his or her favorite candies or treats. If your honey is not into sweets (I could not imagine, but would be completely jealous), fill it will a snack food he or she enjoys.
- Fill 1/4 of the basket with a small gift that will speak to him or her. For example, Eric knows I like dangling earrings, stuffed animals, perfume, and movies.
- Fill 1/4 of the basket with tickets, or a homemade coupon, for an experience you two will have together. Some ideas may be baseball tickets, a coupon for “a hiking day,” tickets to a movie he or she wants to see, or tickets to see his or her favorite comedian.
- And, fill the last 1/4 of the basket with plastic eggs. We will call these “love and respect” eggs. Write about a dozen traits you love about your girlfriend, cut each trait into one piece, and place one trait inside each egg. “I love you because your beautiful smile always makes my day better.” “I love you because you have a kind heart and I know you will make an amazing mother.” If you are engaged or married, you may want to add a couple eggs which read, “I choose to love you always, no matter what hard times we go through.” “I thank God for you.” Ladies, you also get to fill eggs, but with specific traits you respect about your boyfriend. “I respect how hard you work and believe you will be a great provider.” “I admire how you treat your family.” And if you and your sweetie are engaged or married, you can add an egg that says “I choose to respect you, not only because you’ve earned it, but simply because you are my man.”
Hide it!
After you complete your basket, make a game of finding it. You can give clues and make a treasure hunt, you can make a trail of rose petals, or you can even give an empty basket and have a scavenger hunt to find the basket items if you’d like. ~smile~
I sincerely hope you enjoy giving your basket and that your sweetie enjoys opening it. It is another special way to express your feelings throughout the year. The basket can be as expensive or cost-effective as you want it to be! The thought behind it is the most important element!
If you follow the above guidelines to a T, you will cover four of the five love languages: Gifts (the basket and the gift), quality time (the experience you will have together), words of affirmation (the love and respect eggs), and physical touch (the bear hug you will get after you give it ~smile~). If your sweetheart thrives on acts of service, you can either add a note that says “I will….” and fill in a chore you will complete for him or her, or you can remove one element of the basket (the gift, etc.), and fill it will multiple coupons, or “I will….” notes. After all, he may want his bathroom cleaned more than tickets to a baseball game. ~wink~ It pays to know your sweetie!
We hope you and your honey have a great Easter this year. As you celebrate your love for each other, also remember the true meaning of Easter. Take some time to thank God for sacrificing His only Son so that you and I could be granted repentance and given new life in Him!
Happy Easter!
What plans do you have for your sweetie’s ultimate Easter Basket?