1. The exact date of Easter changes every year. It falls on the first Sunday after the Full Moon that is after the 21st March and this year it’s on 9th April.
2. The Easter bunny is a symbol of Easter that originated in Germany in the 16th century.
3. Easter eggs are said to be a symbol of new life and rebirth, representing the empty tomb of Jesus after his resurrection.
4. Before Easter Sunday was celebrated with chocolate Easter eggs, people used actual eggs dyed with natural plant dyes and decorated with intricate designs. This tradition is said to go back to some of the earliest days of Christianity, with the eggs originally dyed red to represent the blood that Christ shed when he was crucified.
5. Easter baskets are also a popular tradition, filled with treats and goodies such as chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs, and other sweet treats. They make an egg-cellent gift!
6. Many cultures around the world have their own unique traditions for celebrating Easter, such as the Easter parades in Spain and the Easter breads in Italy.
7. Hot cross buns are a (yummy) traditional Easter treat that originated in England, made with dried fruit and spices and marked with a cross on top. Ooh, I love these with plenty of Kerrygold butter and I think that they’re even nicer if you toast them!
8. The Easter lily is a popular flower, representing purity and new life.
9. The biggest chocolate Easter egg ever entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2011. It was made in Italy and was a whopping 10.39 metres in height and 7,200 kg in weight. To give you an idea of the size, it was taller than a giraffe and heavier than an elephant! I wonder what, if anything ,was inside it? A hundred-weight of Smarties? A chocolate car?
10. Finally and more importantly, sharing isn’t caring when it comes to chocolate and pets. Chocolate contains a chemical which is toxic for dogs and cats. Giving animals chocolate is like giving them poison and in some cases the results can be fatal. Tempting as it is, we really shouldn’t share our Easter eggs with our fur babies. It’s better to buy your pets a treat that has been specially developed for them and keep your Easter eggs all to yourself. Sorry Buddy but it's for your own good. Woof!