Easter falls on Sunday, April fourth this year, which means those that celebrate have about a month to get ready for the holiday. But what does it mean to get ready for Easter? Holiday traditions vary from region to region, and each family has a unique spin on things. However, eggs are a common component of Easter celebrations in many cultures. Decorating eggs, eating egg-shaped Easter candy, and going egg hunting are just a few ways to use eggs in Easter celebrations. Whether you observe the holiday or not, enjoy delicious Easter candy from Wockenfuss — our range of assorted chocolate butter cream eggs is something that anyone can enjoy!
Dyeing, Painting, and Decorating Easter Eggs
Decorating Easter eggs is common among many cultures worldwide, but how the eggs are decorated and used (and whether they’re real eggs at all) varies. While boxed egg dyeing kits are popular in the United States, Easter eggs look quite different in other parts of the world. Instead of neon pinks and blues, many traditional egg dyeing techniques use natural dyes that result in much more muted colors. Easter eggs in places like Greece, Croatia, and Armenia are often dyed by boiling the eggs with onion peel, soot, or beets. Ukrainian pysanky, Croatian pisanice, and other intricate Eastern European eggs take dyeing to another level: the eggs are dyed and decorated using a wax-resist method. The eggs are inscribed with wax before dyeing, leaving the covered sections white and dye-free. After each successive dip, more and more areas are covered in wax, preserving the various dyes. This allows for intricate designs with multiple colors on each egg. Easter eggs aren’t just dyed, either. In Slovakia and other Eastern European countries, decorating techniques include perforation/carving, encapsulation in decorative wire, and pasting/decoupage.
Tapping, Rolling, and Dancing with Easter Eggs
What do you do with your Easter eggs once you’ve decorated them? While Easter egg hunts are popular, that’s just one way to use these festive eggs. In the UK and Germany, children play all kinds of games with their decorated eggs:
- Egg rolling – Also called “pace egging” in the UK. Children roll their eggs down a hillside or across a lawn. In Germany, eggs are rolled down a racetrack made of sticks.
- Egg tapping – Participants tap their eggs against competitors’ eggs. The last one to crack wins. Variations of egg tapping are popular in the Netherlands, Romania, and Bulgaria.
- Hop-egg and egg dancing – While egg dancing isn’t as popular today, it was once a staple of Easter celebrations in Germany, Austria, and the UK. During hop-egg, participants place eggs all over the floor and try to avoid breaking them as they dance.
Chicken Eggs or Easter Candy? You Decide!
While decorating and playing with Easter eggs is fun, no Easter would be complete without chocolate eggs. Easter candy comes in all shapes and sizes, and Wockenfuss offers a wide range of egg-shaped treats for you and your loved ones. Our butter cream eggs are available in many delicious flavors, from dark chocolate and vanilla to coconut cream and hazelnut. We also offer milk and dark chocolate foil eggs, pastel malted eggs, and loads of other festive treats to make your holiday special!
A Wide Selection of Delicious Treats from Wockenfuss Candies
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you won’t be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our wide selection of chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!