15 Celebrating Easter

HOW TO HAVE AN ACTIVE EASTER

As the Easter Bank Holiday weekend 2021 rolls around, it seems that we might be celebrating the spring festival in lockdown once again.

But with the spring weather warming up and restrictions loosening in time for the bank holiday, there are still plenty of ways to have fun, whether you’re in Liverpool or beyond!

©IsiCairns LiverpoolLife

Here are Liverpool Life’s five recommendations to have a fun and safe Easter weekend.

By ISI CAIRNS

1

Make an Easter egg hunt for your bubble

Nothing says “Easter” like a chocolate egg hunt! Fun for all ages, hide eggs around your garden or nearest park. Make a chocolate egg trail for little ones to find or hide small gifts inside plastic eggs if you’re looking to treat an older crowd. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy your local green spaces, Sefton Park are currently offering crème egg hot chocolates - we know we’ll be trying one!

Egg-tastic

ELEANOR DOWD brings some interesting facts about everyone’s favourite part of Easter - chocolate eggs

For many people, Easter is all about chocolate and with the holiday soon approaching now is the perfect time to explore the EGGS-traordinary world of Easter eggs.

Easter is a time for indulging, with around 80 million Easter eggs being sold every year and around £380 million being spent on the easter treats.

As a religious holiday, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Eggs are a symbol of new life and fertility, so Easter eggs are a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection. The tradition of eating eggs at Easter comes from the fasting during Lent where eggs were traditionally avoided.

The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in France and Germany in the 19th Century, they had been attempted previously but were unsuccessful. The first Cadbury Easter Eggs were made in 1875 and have been a massive hit ever since!

The modern tradition of eating chocolate eggs is a twist on the religious ritual of eating eggs during the holiday.

The now-traditional hollow chocolate egg, has evolved into a myriad of different Easter treats.

Ranging from Mini Eggs to Crème Eggs, almost every chocolate brand has created its own version of Easter in chocolate form. ©IsiCairns LiverpoolLife

2

Socially Distanced Easter Picnic

DID YOU KNOW ...

• The largest chocolate Easter egg was created in Italy, weighing 15,873 pounds with a circumference of 64 feet at its widest point • The world’s most expensive Easter egg costs £25,000 from Choccywoccydoodah, made from luxury Belgian chocolate • Over 500 million crème eggs are made every year

From March 29, gatherings in groups of no more than six in private gardens and outdoor spaces will be allowed, giving us a much-needed chance to spend some time over the bank holiday with loved ones.

Celebrate the Easter weekend (and restrictions being lifted!) by putting together an Easter picnic. Everyone can bring their favourite festive treat and enjoy the spring sunshine while spending quality time that we have all missed out on.

HOW TO HAVE AN ACTIVE EASTER

3

Easter baking

From hot cross buns to a traditional Simnel cake, there is something for everyone when it comes to Easter baking. Whip up some egg-shaped easter biscuits and have fun decorating them to take on your socially-distanced Easter picnic or even use any left-over Easter eggs for some chocolate nests.

But if you’re not too confident in the kitchen, support local businesses and enjoy some sweet treats at the same time with Cakes By Andrew’s freshly made crème egg cake, Easter cupcake box, and Easter cupcake kits. There is also a colouring competition! Available from cakesbyandrew.co.uk for delivery in time for Easter Sunday.

©JenniferBurk Unsplash © Manny NB Unslpash

4Join an Easter Service livestream from the Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral will be livestreaming their services through their Facebook and YouTube channels. The services will be running through the week leading up to Easter Sunday and are free for all to access, join in and celebrate the original meaning of Easter. Why not take part in a hymn or two?

© Gabe Pierce Unsplash

5

Go on an Easter morning walk with FACT Liverpool

A walk in the spring air can be a great way to get the day started, and springtime is the best way to be in the company of wildlife and experience all the sights and sounds of the beginning of the season.

FACT Liverpool have put together a week of musical performances by acclaimed composers and musicians, as well as talks and activities to prepare for 2021’s International Dawn Chorus Day, accessible from FACT Liverpool’s new online programme – The Living Planet.

The day celebrates the natural phenomenon of the dawn chorus, most noticeably heard at the beginning of spring. It has been running since 1987 and encourages people from all over the world to rise early and embrace the wonderful sounds of their native feathered friends.

Molly Toal, from the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside explained how IDCD can still be enjoyed even amongst coronavirus restrictions: “More people are discovering that spending time in the natural world can help improve their wellbeing and they are embracing the fun of learning about and observing the wildlife that lives alongside us.

“You can visit your local park or wild spot for a very early morning walk, sit in your garden if you have one, or simply open a window and let the chorus come to you.”

There are free resources on the Wildlife Trust website to help identify different types of birdsong.