4 Fun Ways to Celebrate Easter

It’s Holy Week next week, which means Easter Sunday is just around the corner. In our family, we try to make Easter a 'big deal,' even bigger than Christmas, as much as possible. We do so because we believe that the Resurrection is one of, if not the most important event in history.

Whether you share our beliefs or not, I’d still like to share 4 fun things you can do to celebrate Easter with your family, because it’s truly an occasion for family bonding:

1. Go on a 'family field trip.'

I don’t know if I’m the first person to coin the term 'family field trip' but it basically just refers to any trip or outing that your family goes on. It could be to somewhere that’s just around the corner from your home, or somewhere 'magical' where you can make meaningful memories -- like we did at Taal Vista Hotel last month.

Speaking of Taal Vista Hotel, they’re offering a special treat for families and individuals this coming Holy Week -- a barbecue buffet at Café Veranda every Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM; plus a Summer Seafood Lunch buffet and Easter Week Dinner buffet, also at Café Veranda, from April 17 to 20, 2014. (My mouth is watering as I type this -- the food at Taal Vista is SUPER delicious!)

Easter Sunday will also be full of fun, with a morning of games, prizes, an Easter Egg hunt and lunch buffet on April 20, 2014. (And if you’re wondering how much this activity will cost you, according to my friend from Taal Vista, tickets are Php888 net for children ages 5 to 12 years old, and Php988 net per adult.)

Aside from these, they’re also offering special Easter room packages, available for overnight stays from April 19 to 20. All packages include buffet breakfast and Easter activity tickets for two adults and one child. [For more information, please click here.]

Whatever kind of 'family field trip' you choose to go on, make sure that you remember your main purpose, i.e. to spend quality time together as a family -- and maybe even learn a few new things together too!

2. Have an Easter party.

This is similar to a Christmas party but need not be an extravagant affair. Blow a few balloons, buy a small cake from your favorite bakeshop -- ask them to write the words, "Alleluia, Jesus Is Risen!" on it if they can -- and sing songs like Don Moen’s 'Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate' or any other joyful hymn.

If you have young kids who are into party games, you can also play typical party games like musical chairs or a treasure hunt/Easter egg hunt. Try to allocate some time for storytelling too -- and include the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection while you’re at it.

3. Watch an inspiring movie.

Whether you do this at home or at the cinema, make sure you relish your time together as a family. It also helps to discuss certain parts of the movie afterwards with the kids.

Here are some movies that you might want to consider watching:

-         Heaven Is For Real (There’s a special screening of this on April 19, which you can read more about here.)

-         The Passion of the Christ (Note: Some scenes may be too graphic for young children.)

-         Veggie Tales ‘Twas The Night Before Easter (This is a cartoon movie but adults might enjoy it too.)

4. Serve others together.

While some people may not think that serving others or helping those in need is a 'fun' thing to do, there is much to be said about the bonding that takes place when family members reach out beyond themselves to show others that they are important and valued -- especially during special occasions like Easter.

Some ideas for serving others together include:

·         Preparing simple snacks (a sandwich and juice pack) to be given away to street kids

·         Visiting an orphanage like Tahanan ng Pagmamahal*

·         Visiting a home for the elderly like Anawim*

·         Helping raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, like the people behind the Start Again project

(*Both are Mercy Ministries of Bo Sanchez.)

However you choose to celebrate Easter, I pray that we never forget the TRUE meaning behind it, that of God’s immense love for us, and of His ultimate sacrifice for us. This in itself is a reason to rejoice.

What are your plans for Easter? Share them with us by leaving a comment, or sending me a Tweet @tinasrodriguez!