How to celebrate Easter when you can’t meet up with friends and family

Easter is right around the corner. We know you probably (most definitely) didn’t imagine celebrating with virtual “egg” hunts and Zoom family dinners. But what better way to celebrate a season of hope and new beginnings than embracing eco-friendly Easter celebrations that keep everyone as safe as possible!  

From alternative Easter Sunday services to virtual gatherings, here nine eco-friendly ways to celebrate Easter while practicing social distancing. 

1. Plan a virtual Easter brunch

Something about Easter makes us crave sweet morning breakfast dishes. We love Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes, Vegan French Toast, and these Vegan Cinnamon Rolls from The Wholesome Culture Cookbook. 

And just because you can’t meet up in person with your loved ones that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their company. Try coordinating a virtual Easter brunch with your loved ones and show off your yummy creations. You may even get inspiration for your next meal! 

2. Welcome Easter “egg” alternatives

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In lieu of Easter baskets filled with stuff and plastic eggs filled with candy, my girls were open to a new idea. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We started letting them choose their own experiences that would be filled in each egg, like a date with dad, or dinner of their choice. They could pull these experiences out and use them when they wanted.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This year, we switched to plastic free and are using paper mache eggs, to be used for years to come.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We wrote numbers on each egg and let the girls decorate them. Then, they list all the experiences they would want to do. Now we just hide the eggs like normal and let them hunt. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here is a list of ideas of some of their favorites. (PS..some of these will obviously have to wait until it's safe, but it also gives them a reason to be excited for the future.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1.Take a friend to a fun place⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. Sleepover in a homemade fort⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Water gun fight⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. Ice cream night-my choice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5. Game night-my choice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 6. Dinner night out-my choice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 7. Sibling has to do 1 of my chores⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 8. Veggie pass at dinner⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 9. Bake together-my choice of dessert⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 10. Picnic in the park⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PS-You an also create an adult version of this too and have your kids hide the eggs and you pick some fun experience you would like. The best part-you don't have to re-fill all those plastic eggs back up!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some of our favorites:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Kids make you breakfast in bed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. Kids do extra chore⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Scratch off lottery ticket⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. Dinner out-my choice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 5. Partner brings you breakfast in bed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Happy Hunting!

A post shared by The Dapper Dwelling (@thedapperdwelling) on Apr 6, 2020 at 7:26am PDT

We know eggs are practically synonymous with many Easter activities. But you can totally enjoy all the festivities without using any actual eggs. From dyeing ceramic eggs, to painting wooden eggs, to (our favorite) eating vegan chocolate eggs, there are lots of ways to get into the spirit with a plant-based, mindful twist. 

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How are you feeling about Easter? Are you still going to celebrate or are you going to put it off until you can get together with friends/family? 🤷‍♀️ . Travis asked me if I was going to make our favorite dark chocolate Easter eggs that are filled with the most delicious chocolate peanut butter hummus, and to be honest, I hadn’t really thought about it. It doesn’t feel like Easter is coming but maybe it’s a good idea to still celebrate and make the day special ❤️ . If you’re looking for a special treat to make for Easter, these dark chocolate eggs are a winner! I make them every year and everyone (vegan or not) loves them! 🤤 . BTW if you need a pick-me-up today, I posted a video in my story of the SWEETEST baby bunny that we found in our yard today. Baby bunnies = instant smiles ❤️❤️❤️ . To get the recipe, click on the link in my profile ➡️ @stacey_homemaker or copy paste this link ➡️ https://www.staceyhomemaker.com/dark-chocolate-easter-eggs/ 💕

A post shared by Stacey Homemaker (@stacey_homemaker) on Apr 6, 2020 at 10:38am PDT

3. Do a digital Easter “egg” hunt

Does your family normally do an Easter egg hunt? Instead, try a virtual hunt by hiding a wooden egg (or small avocado, whatever) somewhere within view of your camera and whoever guesses where it’s located first, wins. It’s a little “Where’s Waldo” meets Quarantine Easter! 

4. Bake something festive

If you have a family recipe, make a vegan version. (Fyi, here’s our guide to vegan baking swaps.) Or use this time to bake something you’ve never tried before. 

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These no-bake best cookies are a healthy & festive treat! 🐣 This Easter is going to look different for many of us, but we can still make happy memories with our kids in the kitchen! This is an easy and fun recipe to let the kids help with, or even make on their own! Click on the link in my profile for the recipe! 💕 . . . #joyfoodsunshine #nobakecookies #chocolatepeanutbutter #nestcookies #eastercookies #easterdessert #healthycookies #peanutbutterchocolate #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #buzzfeast #huffposttaste #peanutbutter #peanutbutterlover #todayfood #healthyrecipes #BHGfood #TOHfoodie #bobsredmill #glutenfreedessert #todayfood #healthydessert #kitchn #realsimple #utahblogger #foodblogeats

A post shared by Laura (@joyfoodsunshine) on Apr 6, 2020 at 7:21am PDT

We’re obsessed with this Raw Carrot Cake with Cashew Frosting from Green Evi and these darling No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Nest from Joy Food Sunshine (just use maple syrup to keep it vegan).

5. Indulge your sweet tooth with Easter candy

If you ask us, Easter is a wonderful reason to invest in some yummy themed candy! 

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Unprecedented times calls for new ways of looking at things. This year, we were luck enough to work with the ever talented Pete Moulthrop (@beardedtalesofwoe), who has the most delightful way of looking at things. Pete's version of easter (and his philosophy on life) is slightly dark, creamy and light-hearted….just the way we like our chocolate. The point being, we want to thank Pete for showing us a new way to look at Easter. And we want to thank you for supporting small biz and artists and bringing new ways of looking at things into your life/mind/heart/mouth. (if you have a piece of chocolate then u could start eating it right now, whilst you break into dance…or keep reading) Thinking of friends and family during this time? They may be in need of a serious Easter chocolate bonanza! As the bunnies say, "Happiness is contagious. Chocolate is happiness." Well the bunnies, didn't really say that chocolate is happiness, but it's kinda fact. We’ll also be doing FREE GROUND SHIPPING on all of these items and any other purchases over $35. Tag a friend who could use some chocolate bunny energy!

A post shared by FINE & RAW chocolate (@fineandraw) on Apr 3, 2020 at 10:44am PDT

Check out these sweet Easter themed treats:

• Jolly Rancher Easter Jelly Beans
• Fine & Raw Sea Salt Bunny Bar 
• Bunnycomb Bars Moo-Free
• Ocho Coconut Candy Bars
• Lagusta Luscious Organic Cream Eggs

6. Go simple (and eco-friendly) with your Easter baskets

With stores closing everywhere, getting Easter basket supplies and gifts isn’t the easiest thing right now. But look on the bright side — not to be downers, but Easter baskets often come with lots of waste (plastic eggs, plastic wrappers, paper crinkle grass, etc). We’re loving ideas like giving gift cards to local shops and restaurants, along with making homemade sweets and printing coloring pages. 

We’ve found the gifts that require the least amount of packaging are the most special.

7. Dress up for an Easter dinner party

Whether you’re throwing a party for one or gathering digitally with a group of 20, consider dressing up in something you’d normally wear on Easter. (For us, just changing out of yoga clothes for a few hours makes things feel special.)  

And since spring is the perfect season for plant-based goodness, we crave dishes that embrace the freshness of the season. 

Here are some springtime recipes we have our eyes on:

• The Best Vegan Quiche Ever – Happy Kitchen
• Vegan Pesto Pasta – Wholesome Culture Cookbook
• Lemon Artichoke Pasta – Veggies Save The Day
• Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Bake – Vegan Richa
• Vegan Asparagus Risotto – Vibrant Plate
• 15 Minute Watercress Soup – Salted Mint
• Shaved Asparagus Spring Salad – Delish Knowledge

8. Embrace an alternative Easter service

If you’re hoping to attend church on Easter Sunday, see if you can attend an online service or local drive-in service. Some organizations are even streaming services, which is a beautiful way to stay connected from a distance. 

9. Do something that makes you feel lighter 

No matter what religious customs you follow, we think it’s always a great time to do something that makes you feel like the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders. Because being a human being right now is intense —  no question about it.

Maybe do an Easter themed yoga flow, make a wish on a sunset, take a bath, dance on your bed, or watch a funny movie. Sometimes doing nothing is the most mindful thing we can !

Spending more time at home recently? So are we! Here are some posts we think you’ll love:

• How to grow and herb garden at home – 6 simple steps
• 44 Cozy activities you can do from home
• Why spending more time at home can be a good thing