When I was a kid, I never really understood Easter in America. Being from Jamaica, my siblings and I would start the day with a traditional Jamaican breakfast, ackee and sal (cod) fish with fried dumplings. We did our usual walk to church on Sunday, and heard about the death and re-birth of Jesus all over again. Now that I’m a mom, having a multi-cultural Easter celebration is important for our children.
How to Have a Multi-Cultural Easter Celebration
The holiday has always been celebrated differently all over the world. But in our house, we never got to rock a brand new Easter outfit on Sunday, and we knew nothing about decorating or hunting for eggs. This was all foreign to me when I moved here from Jamaica. For us, Easter was a holiday spent at church and with family. My mom prepared a big feast, and we got to enjoy Jamaican bun and cheese.
To this day, I’m not sure I’m with the whole American Easter tradition. But let’s face it, Princess is multi-cultural. It’s only right for me take one for the team.
Since I never got to don a new dress on Easter, I wanted to make sure my baby had a brand new one. We started the day with a healthy breakfast. I made some ackee and sal fish with breadfruit, Jamaica’s national dish. Unfortunately, Princess and Daddy didn’t like it, so I had to make them eggs.
We attended church. This might also be a great time to further educate ourselves about the bible and learn what does the number 2 mean spiritually.
She kept saying, “Shhh, we have to be quiet in church.”
Princess made it through the entire service, even though she took three bathroom breaks. I wondered if she lasted so long because of the surprises waiting for her. We started with a Easter egg hunt with a twist.
I knew that Grandma had another hunt along with goodies, so we wanted to do something different.
American Easter Celebration
After returning from Grandma’s, we had dinner. My mom later stopped by with bun and cheese. Princess had more eggs to hunt for inside, and Grandma got a kick out of watching her look for them.
I still don’t really understand why American’s make such a big deal about bunny’s, eggs, and jelly beans on Easter. But, I did enjoy the day.
Although Princess had fun decorating and hunting, I still want her to know about the significance of this day.
We actually went to the library the other day and picked up this book which highlights the significance behind different traditions. I was such a proud mama watching my little girl enjoy herself. But, Easter is more than gifts. It’s important to know the true meaning behind it. I’m so glad we got to spend it as a family, and even happier that we began our own tradition having a multi-cultural Easter celebration.
What do you think about having a multi-cultural Easter celebration?
Girl, I am SO on the same page. Except we are finally taking control of our faith and how the kids are relating to God and religion. This year, I just couldn’t “take one for the team” and stayed totally away from family and the regular traditions – I just couldn’t do it. Hopefully, by next Easter, my issues in faith will be calmed and I can relax and enjoy the typical American Easter celebrations.
Princess does look stunning in her new dress though 🙂
How fun and Princess looks too cute! I think the best part of holidays is creating memorable traditions for your family while celebrating what’s unique to your culture/beliefs. I didn’t grow up with the Easter bunny, but I did grow up getting all dressed up for Easter (I’m not a historian but I’ve always took this particular tradition as being a celebration of spring/newness – it’s always marked the official shedding of winter clothes for me!). This influenced how I raise Nia now – she doesn’t have a clue about the Easter bunny but was excited for her Easter dress and learning about the reason we celebrate Easter – for us being Jesus’ death.
Those sandwiches look quite yummy. I love reading about how different people celebrate the different holidays. No doubt, your daughter will benefit from merging both traditions.
I am looking forward to blending both my husband’s and my holiday traditions as my daughter gets older.
By the way, I love reading your blog!
Thanks so much Wheatney28! What cultural traditions will you be integrating in you holiday celebrations?
I know what you mean. I’m still working on the faith department. I definitely want incorporate more faith in general. When we celebrate these holidays, I want them to understand what everything means. The commercial part of it can be so much fun, but we can’t lose the true meaning. I love what you do on your blog. Sebastian and Alina will be able to look back and learn about their heritage. Identity is so important. That’s so priceless.
I never got the whole Easter bunny thing either. I was brought up learning about the death and the celebration of the re-birth of Christ. I didn’t understand the candy thing too. The eggs do represent new life. There is also a big Spring motif too. All the plants and trees are also born again. The Easter bunny paid Princess’s class a visit. I don’t think she was impressed.
It”s nice that you explored traditions other than your own and exposed your daughter to more than one, family tradition but as an American, I can’t help but feel like you sort of disparaged the traditions that may be unique to the culture here. When celebrating cultural heritage, it doesn’t have to be either or, but a blend which you achieved, but you also sort if made the American things such as the Easter bunny sound stupid and as if you were simply tolerating it It’s how we were raised her and doesn’t hurt anyone. So what’s so bad about it?
Oh yum! I love bun & cheese! I look forward to having this during Easter (and at other times of the year 🙂 ).