With Spring peeking over the horizon, promising longer and warmer days, Easter is just around the corner. While in Britain, we are used to certain traditions, such as chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, and Easter egg hunts, there are some interestingly unexpected traditions around the world. Easter is celebrated in many different ways across the globe, from water fights in Poland to giant omelettes in France.
If you are looking for a delicious alternative to standard Easter Eggs this Easter, Peach Hampers offers unique hampers to really impress.
Global Easter Traditions
The Easter Bilby - Australia
In the UK, we are used to seeing images of the Easter Bunny, but in Australia, rabbits don’t get the same warm reception as here. Rabbits are seen as an invasive species in Australia that has caused significant damage to the environment. Instead, Australians celebrate the ‘Easter Bilby’.
The Bilby is a native marsupial with long, rabbit-like ears and a long snout. The Easter Bilby tradition was started to raise awareness of their endangered species status. Many Australian companies produce bilby-shaped treats instead of bunnies. Some companies also donate a proportion of their sales of bilby treats to help conserve the species and its habitat.
Water Fights in Poland
Easter Monday in Poland is always wet, but not necessarily because of the weather! Known as ‘Śmigus-Dyngus’ or ‘Wet Monday’, this tradition involves people splashing each other with water – for fun. The custom is believed to have Pagan roots, symbolising cleansing and the arrival of Spring.
According to legend, the custom also stems from the baptism of Mieszko I, the first Christian ruler of Poland from 960 AD. Since then, it has progressed and become linked to Easter celebrations. Nowadays, it is a light-hearted tradition where people take part in elaborate water fights using buckets, balloons or even hoses. This chaotic tradition has become a fun and beloved way to kick off Easter.
Scandinavian Easter Witches
In other parts of the world, witches are synonymous with Halloween, which is celebrated in October. Conversely, Easter takes on the spookiness in Sweden and parts of Finland with the tradition of ‘Påskkärringar’, or Easter Witches.
Children dress up as witches, wearing colourful scarves and paint on freckles. They then knock on doors offering hand-drawn Easter pictures in exchange for sweet treats – a lot like Halloween. The tradition is thought to date back to old folklore that suggested witches flew to a mythical mountain before Easter to celebrate with the Devil. People would light bonfires and make loud noises to ward off evil spirits. While Scandinavians still celebrate Halloween, it’s not as popular as it is elsewhere in the world.
A Giant French Omelette
They say you can’t make an omelette without breaking any eggs, but the Southern French town of Bessières gets through a lot of eggs at Easter. Every Easter Monday, the town of Bessières celebrates by creating a giant omelette in a tradition that dates back to Napolean’s time.
Allegedly, Napolean and his troops once stopped in the town. He enjoyed the omelette he was served so much that he ordered a massive one for his army. The tradition continues today with a whopping 15,000 eggs to make an omelette big enough to feed over 1000 people. Sadly, this is not a record-breaker! That honour goes to Municipio De Ferreira Do Zêzere in Portugal, who smashed the Guinness World Record in August 2012 with a gigantic omelette weighing over six tonnes!
Easter Kites in Bermuda
Easter weekend in Bermuda is a multi-coloured experience with vibrant kites taking to the skies in a spectacular kite festival. This colourful tradition was started when a British teacher wanted to explain Jesus’ ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school students. He built and flew a kite to demonstrate the event, and the idea caught flight.
Today, Good Friday sees the skies of Bermuda filled with beautiful homemade kites of all shapes and sizes. Competitions are held to judge the best kites, while families gather on the beaches to indulge in picnics and enjoy the spectacle.
Why a Personalised Hamper is the Perfect Easter Treat
While it’s fascinating to look at these different traditions, one thing stays the same – Easter is a time for celebrating and indulging. Here in the UK, we are used to seeing delicious chocolate Easter Egg creations, but if you are looking for a more unique alternative, a bespoke hamper is the perfect choice.
Whether you are looking for corporate gifts, a family celebration or a treat for a special loved one, a personalised hamper is carefully curated to bring joy this Easter.
Peach Hampers thoughtfully selects top-quality products for our corporate hampers and family hampers. By choosing a personalised hamper from us, you can be sure to satisfy everyone’s taste. With delightfully warm Cornish Gingerbread with dark chocolate pieces from Furniss and a rich Millionaires Slice from Yorkshire Flapjack to get things started. Then, indulgent macarons from Macarons de Pauline and a deliciously smooth chocolatey milk chocolate bunny from Hamlet Belgian Chocolates add an EGGstra-special finish. And there’s so much more.
Celebrate Easter in Style with Peach Hampers
From chocolate bilbies to giant omelettes, Easter traditions around the world prove this is a time of sharing joy and good food. This Easter, we’ll help you celebrate the beginning of Spring and new beginnings with personalised hampers that are packed with treats for everyone.
Whether you are thanking employees and clients or celebrating with family, we’ll deliver a hamper to add some indulgence to your Easter celebrations. Have a look through our Easter collection and find the perfect gift for your occasion.
