Slow, Sustainable Ways to Celebrate Easter
- Allie McConnell
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
I'm a firm believer that you can create Easter Bunny magic for the kids and a memorable family meal without compromising on style or your values.
Spring has such a spirit of celebration, renewal, and rejoicing, which is showcased in the Easter holiday - even if you're not inclined to the church-centered side of things. After a long winter, we're all eager for the fresh abundance of the natural world: color, plants and flowers, and soft fuzzy animals.
Ironically, so much sustainability advice just feels like the denial and repentance of Lent. Thou shalt not...
Drawing from my background in fashion and high-end retail for the stylish side of sustainability, I've put together a few tips below for an Easter morning that's no less enchanting. Because getting closer to the magic of the natural world shouldn't be a chore.
Earth-friendly Easter baskets for the kids
If you cringe even as you're putting that pile of plastic toys and packaging in the basket, you can easily help the Easter Bunny assemble a bundle of fun that won't immediately end up in the landfill.
Skip the stuff that's trending, or the last minute plastic and polyester toys - here are some alternative suggestions:
Books and stationery
Art supplies and craft kits
Grow kits and bug identification gear
Handmade toys
Games and experiences
Realistically, this approach might be pricier than what you're used to, so think quality over quantity - the kids are not tallying up what you spent.
Bonus idea: Plan well ahead, and host a toy swap with other families.
Decorations worthy of an encore
Like the goodies in the kids' baskets, your decorations can play their part and stay out of landfill with some slight tweaks.
What to avoid:
resin (it's plastic)
plastic "grass" and other faux plants
plastic or styrofoam eggs
individually wrapped candies
Instead, aim for larger pieces in durable, natural materials, and surround them with fresh cut flowers or live potted ones. Almost anything you're using for Easter decor can be styled differently and reused for upcoming spring celebrations.
Look for:
Glass or ceramic figurines of eggs, bunnies, and birds
Well made, natural baskets
Ceramic or glass vases and planters
Wooden bowls
Glass terrariums
Ribbons and feathers
Papier mache
Beeswax candles
Sustainable savings: Borrow from a friend or neighbor, search through the thrift stores and tag sales, or splurge at a local artisan gallery for memorable, quality pieces.
Think of this as a two-part strategy:
Reusable pieces that transition to your next spring celebration, and can be stored till next year; and
Consumable treasures - edible confections, and live plants that can be enjoyed and then added to the garden later.
Farm-to-table brunch
This doesn't have to be white tablecloth service with a reservation - it's just the way people cooked and ate when our grandparents were kids.
Sadly, modern postwar agriculture is scaled for export and does more harm than good. The good news is, almost anywhere you might be reading this in North America, there are backyard growers and small-scale farms working the land responsibly, and producing delicious, tasty meat, dairy, and produce, year-round.
Seek out the best of what's available for the season where you are. Consider supporting your local farms throughout the growing season by purchasing a CSA share as well.
Savings strategy: If you can't splurge on a totally local spread, consider the sustainable investment just for the main dish, or just for sides and desserts.
After the lovely brunch, save your scraps - many food materials can be used to dye eggs naturally. And the rest can be saved for soup stocks, or fed to your compost pile to enrich your lawn and garden.
Slow Ways to Celebrate a Sustainable Easter
I hope you're now off to a sparkling start for slow spring celebrations that are full of natural magic, unique style, and togetherness!
By choosing local ingredients and sweets, and decorating with quality materials, you can have a magical Easter Sunday that brings your whole family closer to nature, without the cringe that comes on garbage day.
It just takes a few tweaks to change your plans, but the wider impacts are so much more meaningful and longer-lasting. And that's always worth the effort.
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