Easter Candy Skewers and Why We Have Candy at Easter Time

Candy has become an integral part of Easter celebrations, with its roots in pagan customs and Christian symbolism. Whether you prefer chocolate eggs, jellybeans, or other sweet treats, indulging in a little bit of candy during the Easter season is a fun and tasty way to celebrate the springtime renewal of life and faith.

I loved making candy skewers for St. Patricks Day and loved the idea of a springtime themed stick. With March 28th being National "something on a stick day" I thought it was an appropriate day to make them with the kids.

As we were making our "Easter" candy skewers my little 7 year old asked why we have bunnies and chicks and candy and an Easter Bunny when Easter is about Jesus. I answered simply and then questioned my answer - so of course I did a deep dive on google (love that little search engine man - thank you Wreck It Ralph!) and thought I'd share my findings.

Why do we have candy for Easter?

Easter is a significant holiday for Christians, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. The holiday also marks the beginning of spring, a season of renewal and rebirth. One tradition associated with Easter is the exchange of chocolate and candy, especially in the form of eggs and bunnies. But, as my 7 year old wisely pointed out - why do we have candy for Easter?

The roots of candy for Easter can be traced back to pagan celebrations of spring, which were incorporated into Christian Easter celebrations. In ancient pagan cultures, the spring equinox was a time to honor the goddess of fertility (whose animal symbol is a bunny - because hello - those babies are fertile!) and celebrate the renewal of life in nature. One of the ways that people marked this occasion was by exchanging eggs, which symbolized new beginnings and the cycle of life.

When Christianity became the dominant religion in Europe, many pagan customs were adapted into Christian holidays. The egg, a symbol of new life, became associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians began decorating eggs with colors and patterns to represent the new life that Christ's resurrection brought.

During the Middle Ages, eggs were often given as gifts during Easter. In some cultures, they were boiled and decorated with intricate designs, while in others, they were painted with bright colors. Eventually, the tradition of giving eggs evolved to include other sweet treats, such as candy and chocolate.

In the 19th century, advances in technology made it possible to mass-produce chocolate and candy in various shapes and sizes. Chocolate eggs and bunnies became popular Easter gifts, especially in Europe and the United States. Today, the Easter season is one of the biggest candy-selling periods of the year, with many retailers offering a wide variety of chocolate eggs, bunnies, and other treats.

And the Easter Bunny - well - that's a history lesson in and of itself.

How do you celebrate spring and Easter? Let's start by making these cute CANDY SKEWERS!

What you'll Need:

• Skewer sticks

• Peeps

• Reese's peanut butter cups

• Strip sour candy

• LINDOR chocolate carrots

• Clear cellophane bags

• Ribbon

• Hot Glue

How to:

I started at the top and placed my peep. Next I took the Reese's candy and slid it up from the pointed bottom underneath the peep and did the same with the strip candy, folding it back and forth before skewering. Then I removed the plastic hook from the LINDOR carrot and hot glued it onto the stick. Your candy skewering is complete! Now slide your cellophane bag over the top, tie your ribbon and cut the sharp end off of the end of the stick if needed. Ta-Da! A perfect Easter treat.

XOXO,

Kimberly Marie