Maya Ellison
Easter eggs are a staple of the Christian holiday of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. The tradition of dyeing eggs dates back to early Christians in Mesopotamia, who would dye eggs in springtime to welcome the new season. The use of eggs as treats at Easter originated when they were prohibited during Lent, with children going door-to-door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. In the 18th century, eggs became a celebrated Easter tradition for households around the world, with the Victorian era seeing the introduction of cardboard, plush and satin-covered eggs filled with Easter gifts and chocolates. By the 1970s, plastic eggs had become popular, with people filling colourful plastic eggs with candy and treats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year plastic Easter eggs were invented | 1970s |
| Plastic Easter eggs filled with | Jelly beans, chocolate kisses, marshmallows, and other candies |
| Plastic Easter eggs used for | Easter egg hunts |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic Easter eggs were invented in the 1970s
The Easter holiday is a Christian celebration commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. The tradition of dyeing and painting chicken eggs dates back to the 13th century, with the earliest traditions taking place in Mesopotamia and Egypt. In the 18th century, eggs became a celebrated Easter tradition for households around the world.
By the 1970s, colourful plastic eggs had become popular. These plastic eggs were usually the same size and shape as chicken eggs and could be separated into two halves and filled with candy, typically chocolate, jelly beans, Skittles, M&Ms, marshmallow chicks, and other confectionery.
The use of plastic Easter eggs builds on the older tradition of decorating and colouring real eggshells. In the pre-dynastic period of Egypt and the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete, eggs were associated with death and rebirth, as well as kingship. In the 19th century, eggs were boiled with onion skins to achieve a golden hue, or wrapped in wet flowers, which created yellow and brown patterns. In the 18th century, eggs were also dyed by simmering them in water with onion skins, which imparted a reddish-brown colour.
Today, Easter eggs are often decorated with vibrant colours, achieved by dipping boiled eggs in vinegar and food colouring. Other methods include using natural substances such as beet juice for pink or walnut nutshells for black. Plastic Easter eggs were a natural progression from the chocolate eggs that became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, which themselves were influenced by the earlier tradition of using real eggs during Easter celebrations.
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They are filled with candy, chocolate, jelly beans, etc
The tradition of dyeing and painting chicken eggs is an ancient one, with decorated eggs being traded at spring festivals to celebrate the end of winter. In the pre-dynastic period of Egypt and the early cultures of Mesopotamia, Crete, and Sumeria, eggs were associated with death, rebirth, and kingship. In the 13th century, early Christians painted Easter eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ shed on the cross.
In the 18th century, eggs became a celebrated Easter tradition for households around the world. In the 1970s, colourful plastic eggs that could be separated into two halves and filled with candy, chocolate, jelly beans, and other treats became popular. These plastic eggs are commonly used at church and community Easter egg hunts.
In Western cultures, the giving of chocolate eggs is now commonplace. In the past, chocolate Easter eggs were often sold in containers with large amounts of plastic. However, in countries like the United Kingdom, this practice has been replaced with recyclable paper and cardboard packaging.
In some countries, like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, hollow chocolate eggs are popular and are commonly sold in supermarkets around Easter. These chocolate eggs sometimes contain fillings such as pistachio cream, hazelnut cream, or doce de leite.
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They are used at church and community Easter egg hunts
Plastic Easter eggs are a modern alternative to traditional chicken, wooden, or chocolate eggs. They are often used at church and community Easter egg hunts, providing a fun and engaging way to celebrate the Christian holiday of Easter and share the gospel with families.
Churches and communities can organize large-scale Easter egg hunts that are open to the public, attracting many children and their families. These events can be a great opportunity to interact with the community and share the joy of the Easter season. To ensure a well-executed hunt, proper planning is essential. This includes designating a hunting area, considering a backup plan in case of unfavourable weather, and providing a variety of treats and activities to cater to different dietary needs and preferences.
For a smaller event, each family can contribute a dozen plastic eggs filled with treats, creating a more intimate and collaborative atmosphere. It is important to remember food allergies and provide dairy and nut-free options to ensure everyone can participate. Additionally, including some eggs with small toys can accommodate those with stricter dietary restrictions.
Churches can also incorporate a religious element into the Easter egg hunts. Some eggs may contain candy or treats, while others may feature pictures or symbols related to the Easter story from the Bible. This approach, often called "Resurrection Eggs," transforms the hunt into a Gospel-centered experience, allowing participants to discover the story of Jesus' resurrection in a captivating and interactive way.
By combining the fun of the Easter egg hunt with the spiritual significance of the holiday, churches and communities can create meaningful and memorable experiences for both children and their parents, fostering a deeper connection to their faith and the true meaning of Easter.
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They are used in kits that tell the Easter story
Plastic Easter eggs are used in kits that tell the Easter story, also known as Resurrection Eggs. These eggs are a great hands-on and age-appropriate way to help children understand the events that led to Jesus' death and resurrection. The kits typically include a dozen plastic eggs, each containing small items that symbolise a part of the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. For example, one egg may contain a few coins to represent the silver pieces Judas was paid to betray Jesus.
These kits can be purchased from various retailers, such as Christianbook.com and Amazon, or they can be easily made at home. If making your own kit, you can fill each egg with small items from around your home that correspond to a particular verse or part of the Easter story. This allows for creativity and personalisation, making the activity even more engaging and meaningful.
In addition to the eggs and symbolic items, some kits may include an illustrated companion or colouring pages to further enhance the storytelling experience. The eggs can be placed in an egg carton or a separate Easter basket, creating a fun and interactive family project that can be enjoyed year after year.
The use of Resurrection Eggs is a modern twist on the ancient tradition of decorating eggs for Easter. While the custom of using eggs during Easter has its roots in early Christian and Islamic cultures, the incorporation of plastic eggs and interactive kits is a more recent development, allowing families to engage in a fun activity while learning about the religious significance of the holiday.
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They are often separated into two halves
The history of Easter eggs can be traced back to early Christians in Mesopotamia, who would dye eggs in spring to welcome the new season. This tradition spread throughout Western Europe, with people associating the colourful eggs with Easter. The practice of decorating eggshells is quite ancient, with decorated, engraved ostrich eggs found in Africa that are 60,000 years old. In the pre-dynastic period of Egypt and the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete, eggs were associated with death and rebirth, as well as kingship.
In the 18th century, eggs became a celebrated Easter tradition for households around the world. The tradition of decorating eggs for Easter is also an old one, with the first instance of painted Easter eggs dating back to the 13th century. In the 19th century, eggs were boiled with onion skins, giving them a golden hue, or wrapped in wet flowers, creating yellow and brown patterns.
The use of plastic Easter eggs is a more recent development. By the 1970s, colourful plastic eggs, usually the same size and shape as chicken eggs, became popular. They are often separated into two halves and filled with candy, typically chocolate, jelly beans, Skittles, M&M's, marshmallow chicks, etc. They are commonly used at church and community Easter egg hunts.
The plastic eggs are a modern alternative to the traditional chocolate eggs, hand-carved wooden eggs, or real chicken eggs that are decorated, dyed, or painted. The plastic variety can be filled with treats and hidden for children to find during Easter egg hunts. They are also used in fun-filled kits that tell the Easter story and can be used by families during the holiday.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic Easter eggs have been around since the 1970s. They are usually the same size and shape as chicken eggs and can be separated into two halves and filled with candy.
Easter eggs can be made of chocolate, cardboard, satin, or plush. They can also be real eggs, from chickens, which are boiled and decorated.
Easter eggs are said to symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus, from which he was resurrected. They are also a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
