When most people think of Easter, they think about baskets and all of the goodies that go inside of them. Strangely enough, however, it seems that many individuals actually have no idea where this tradition came from. It has simply been handed down from one generation to the next until we arrive at the modern era with people, you guessed it, continuing to hand out baskets. This is one tradition that actually has swept various continents, so it is not necessarily a North American only phenomenon. Take a look at these six commonly accepted reasons that people continue to give out Easter baskets year.
Roots in Paganism
We have to remember that Christians were not always a sizable force throughout the world. Before them, Pagans were larger in number and they had traditions of their own. Today, Easter is celebrated in the Spring because this is the season of the year commonly associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Long before this tradition was established, however, pagans were also having celebrations of their own that revolved around the Spring Equinox. Christians ended up adopting many of those same traditions as they developed the holiday, and one of those involves the giving of Easter baskets.
German Tradition
The Germans actually used baskets in the springtime in order to honor Eostre. This is Germanic fertility goddess who the people believed would bless the coming harvest season. The baskets are the people’s way of providing an offering to Eostre. Everyone would carry baskets with young seedling as an offering to be given directly to her. If she like the seedlings, the people had the belief that she would ensure that a successful harvest would come your way. This is similar to the baskets today that people give to show goodness to others, such as those bought at sweetbasket.
Baskets Carry Symbolism
Along with the Germanic tradition, it is believe that Eostre would take the baskets offered to her and use those eggs to encourage fertility amongst the land. This is believed to have come about because seedlings and eggs are common associated with the bringing of new life. Because of this, the baskets came to symbolize this reality as well as time went on. As people began to develop a belief in Christianity, the tradition of the baskets remained in order to fill everyone with goodness during the spring season.
Integration of Tradition and Faith
Many people might wonder how the Christian religion could adopt a concept born largely out of paganism. The really is that many people today can send Easter gift baskets any where in Toronto because early Christian leaders felt that old traditions needed to be held onto and reinvented. This is because the fear was the people would simply hold onto their old belief system if they were forced to give up their traditions all together. This is why many of the of the ancient customs associated with the coming of the Spring Equinox ended up becoming a part of Easter and remain to this day. This included the dying of eggs, giving of baskets, and even the coming of the Easter Bunny.
It is a Fun Way to Give
Most humans have a giving spirit. At the same time, we want to look for new and creative ways to show someone that we care and that we honor them with the giving of a gift. This is where Easter baskets have another practical purpose. They put the fun back into giving. They are enjoyable to give and receive. Adults and children alike love to get Easter baskets, even the Easter Bunny doesn’t actually bring them.The eyes of children are lit up on Easter morning when they get their basket filled with candy, and that brings joy to parents. Adults love their version of the baskets as well, which makes this a fun tradition that has carried on all of these years.
There you have it. Five main reasons that Easter is still celebrated with baskets today. Have you decided what type of baskets you are going to give this year? Maybe you will get a few yourself, so be ready!
