Easter Gift Basket - Its Origin and Gift Idea
by Diana W
http://www.giftbasketforall.com

Easter Sunday is a religious holiday on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox, which occurs around March 21st.  It is the day Christian all over the world celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, many cultural aspects of this holiday, such as the Easter bunny, egg hunt, and Easter basket, are observed by Christians and non-Christians alike.  This article explores the origin of Easter and its traditions, and provides some gift idea for this holiday.
 
The name of the holiday, "Easter", came from the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon goddess named Eostre. She was the goddess of fertility and springtime.  Since the rabbits and hares reproduce frequently with multiple births, the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons believed the rabbits and hares were the earthly incarnation of Eostre.  Hence, the rabbits and hares became the fertility symbols.  Similarly, eggs were also fertility symbols.  When the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity, their springtime festival, which occurred around the same time as the Christian observance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was combined with the Christian celebration and given the name Easter.

The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origin in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other goodies for good children on Easter morning. The Easter bunny was introduced to America folklore by the German immigrants.  The children would build their nest in hidden places in their home, the barn or the garden.  The use of Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread throughout the country.

By the 1800s, candy was commonly tucked into the baskets as well. Nowadays, Easter baskets are commonly filled with chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, candies, marshmallow Peeps, and jelly beans. The jelly bean were first associated with Easter since 1930s when they were placed in nests because jelly beans looked similar to bird's eggs.

The popularity of Easter baskets has increased tremendously with television movie "Here Comes Peter Cottontail". You can now order beautiful Easter gift basket that contains traditional holiday treats online without having to shop for these treats and arrange them in a basket yourself.  Easter Gift Basket is an easy and fun way to let people know how much you care about them.

A wide range of beautiful Easter baskets are available.  You can start your Easter tradition by sending the Deluxe Easter gift basket to family and friends.  Filled with chocolate treats as well as traditional Easter favorites including fudge filled chocolate Easter eggs, milk chocolate foil Easter Bunny, Easter candy corn, Easter marshmallow bunnies, butter shortbread cookies, key lime sour drops candies, this basket of treats will delight the recipient with lots of Easter joy.

Another special gift is a delightful Bunny Hop gift set. This unique basket shaped planter is filled with delicious treats, including hand decorated shortbread cookie, Easter House gift box filled with solid milk chocolate eggs, milk chocolate bunny, Easter jelly beans, Easter Bunny peeps, Easter eggs filled with candy, plush Easter Bunny, Easter egg Buny keepsake, and fruit flavored licorice treats.

Most of the Easter baskets include a plush Bunny that greets your little friends with wishes of Easter love and joy.  In addition to delicious treats, some contain favorite play dough and Peter Cottontail activity book with plenty of fun activities for the little boys and girls. Alternatively, You can send a little plush bunny that sings his tune and wiggle his ears, along with 10 most popular flavors of jelly beans.  It will sure to delight all who receive this bunny.

You can be Peter the Cottontail and send Peter the Cottontail Gift basket with a cute little plush bunny to say Happy Easter. This little bunny brings such treats as color Easter eggs filled with candy toffees, individually wrapped chocolates, white chocolate bunny lollipop, butter cookies, and strawberry peach drink mix.  The little Easter bunny will deliver your message of love and joy with this surprise basket of treats.

In summary, Easter is a holiday celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike.  There are many fun activities for the entire family, especially little boys and girls to enjoy.  You can be Peter the Cottontail and send an Easter basket of chocolate bunnies, chocholate eggs, marshmallow Peeps, jelly beans, and other treats to kids of all ages.