Celebrated around the world, Easter is one of the most important holidays and is a time for family gatherings, colored eggs, and celebrations. With the changes brought on by COVID 19, we are all going to be celebrating differently this year.
We won’t be going to our church services and food blessings. We won’t be gathering at our favorite restaurants for brunches, or congregating at grandma’s house for dinner. We won’t be visiting the Easter Bunny or hunting high and low in community Easter egg hunts. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate on our own. As we prepare for the holiday, check out our seven suggestions for celebrating at home:
1. Make a Classic Easter Recipe: 
With everything being so different, some things don’t have to change. Why not whip up your favorite family treat? There is nothing like a classic family recipe to make everyone feel a little closer! Plus, it’s an easy way to keep favorite traditions alive, even when the usual gathering has been canceled. Be sure to order your specialty grocery items from Lake Geneva County Meats for curbside delivery.
2. Attend a Virtual Worship Service: Many churches have now made their services available online, either through live stream events or prerecorded podcasts. First Lutheran Church in Elkhorn posts lenten scripture studies to Facebook daily, Calvary Community Church posts weekly services on their website, and First Congregational UCC in Lake Geneva live streams services to Facebook every Sunday. Head over to our website for a full list of local houses of worship.
3. Plan a Virtual Hangout With Loved Ones: 
With technologies such as Facetime, Zoom, Houseparty, and Google Hangout, it has never been easier to feel close to loved ones when you’re miles apart. Organize a hangout with the cousins, or choose to tune in to the same worship service together. Just because we cannot be together in person doesn’t mean we cannot be together in spirit.
4. Give a Springtime Offering: Springtime is a season of renewal and new beginnings. If you are able to, consider donating to an organization meaningful to you. Whether it goes to the local food pantry, or your own hairstylist who is out of work, a little generosity goes a long way.
5. Have a Backyard Egg Hunt: 
Kiddos will likely be disappointed that there won’t be a local easter egg hunt this year. Bring the hunt into your own backyard with their own Easter Egg Hunt. A little sunshine is a welcome distraction, plus you can raise the stakes with the special golden egg. Check out some tips for a new twist on the classic Easter egg hunt here.
6. Make Candy Art: 
Mom always told you not to play with your food, but now we’re giving you full permission! Candy art brings sweet treats and creativity to life with just a little bit of imagination. Using colorful peeps, bright jelly beans, and chocolate bunnies, you can create some festive and fun works of art to be cherished for years to come.
7. Establish a New Tradition: Rather than focusing on all of the ways the holiday is different this year, take this time to start a new tradition. Maybe try your hand at baking that layer cake you saw on Instagram. Or hand paint eggs for a more flair. Perhaps curl up with your kiddos to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit checked out from an online library.
We hope that these activities will help brighten your Easter activities amidst the uncertainty of the times. What are your Easter plans this year? Tell us in the comments below!
Saint Paddy’s day without a little spirit(s)! Join the Delavan Lake Store & Lounge for their Irish Cocktail Experience: a sampling of four classic Irish cocktails Friday March 14th at 7:00 pm. Be sure to 
full of live music and delicious food! Let your ears savor the tunes while your taste buds enjoy classic corned beef and cabbage and lamb stew. And if you prefer to leave the cabbage to the more adventurous eaters, you can still order off their yummy regular menu. Don’t forget to pair your meal with some green beer.
