Being at home to stop the spread of COVID-19, there’s no doubt that Easter is going to look different this year. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!
Victorians loved to celebrate Easter too, so we decided to take some inspiration from days gone by. Here are three simple Victorian Easter traditions that your family can try at home.
Make Easter Greetings
Did you know that our modern mail service originated in England during the 1840s with the introduction of the Penny Post? This made sending mail affordable and widely available like never before.
The Victorians loved to make and send elaborate novelty cards for various holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and even Easter. Easter greetings often featured symbols we still associate with the holiday: rabbits, chicks, and eggs.
Making and sending (or dropping off) a hand-made Easter Greeting is a lovely way to let family members (especially Grandparents) know you are thinking about them, even if you can’t get together.
If you prefer to email your Easter greeting, we’ve created some templates for you below that you can save, sign, and send!
Decorate Easter Eggs
Eggs have always been a symbol of rebirth, and have been associated with the spring celebration of Easter for hundreds of years. In fact, King Edward 1’s household accounts of 1307 include an entry for 459 boiled and dyed eggs to be distributed to the royal household.
Today, many people use food colouring and paint to decorate their Easter Eggs. If you don’t have food colouring handy, don’t despair. You can create beautifully-dyed eggs like the Victorians – using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
For Green or Orange Easter Eggs
- Simmer the skins of 6 red onions (for green Easter Eggs) or 6 yellow onions (for orange Easter Eggs) in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes.
- Strain and add 3 teaspoons of white vinegar.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Blue Easter Eggs
- Simmer two cups of chopped purple cabbage in 2 cups of water for 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the desired colour.
- Strain and add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Yellow Easter Eggs
- Simmer 4 tablespoons of ground turmeric in 2 cups of water for 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the desired colour.
- Strain and add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Brown Easter Eggs
- Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to 2 cups of strong coffee.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Lavender Easter Eggs
- Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 2 cups of grape juice.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Light Red Easter Eggs
- Add 4 tablespoons of paprika to 2 cups of boiling water.
- Add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
For Pink Easter Eggs
- Simmer two cups of shredded beets in 2 cups of water for 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the desired colour.
- Strain and add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
- Place the liquid in a jar (or other container) and add hard-boiled eggs. (The liquid should cover your eggs).
- Place in the refrigerator overnight to soak.
💡Try (carefully) wrapping an elastic band around your hard-boiled eggs before dying to create fun patterns!
Have an at-home Easter Egg Hunt or Egg Roll
Easter Egg Hunts and Egg Rolls were a German tradition, introduced to England during the Victorian era. Kids still love hunting for chocolate eggs hidden around the house, but many may not be as familiar with the Easter Egg Roll – even though it’s an annual Easter Monday tradition on the White House front lawn.
Holding your own Easter Egg Roll is simple. All you need are hard boiled eggs, and a hill. Whoever’s egg rolls the farthest down the hill wins!
From all of us at Heritage London Foundation, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy Easter!
Do you love heritage traditions?
Take a look at these Victorian Valentines Day traditions and learn some frighteningly fun Victorian Halloween facts.