The Story of the Easter Basket

Easter, Easter, Easter…like many holidays, Easter is a blend of Christian and Pagan traditions, but there is no clear path of where each element came from.

What is known for sure:

Easter occurs on the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. That is why it moves around and falls somewhere between March and April.

The Pagans celebrated Spring and their Spring Goddess of Fertility is Eostre (very similar to Easter).

The Spring Equinox signaled the time for farmers to plant their seeds.

Christians believe that this is the time when Jesus rose from the dead.

Then the traditions get fuzzy:

Rumor has it that Eostre turned a bird into a bunny to keep it warm. The bunny laid colorful eggs like a bird for her Spring fertility festival. Maybe the tradition of the Easter Bunny and colored eggs came from this? Others say that the Easter Bunny came from German tradition, that had a hare delivering baskets to good children, much like Santa.

Throughout time, the egg has represented rebirth and fertility, so there is that.

How about that Easter Basket?

Catholics celebrate Lent, which they give up much and fast. History shows that they used to take a basket full of their Easter dinner (celebrating the end of Lent) to church and have the priest bless it. Eggs were often given up during this time, so they would boil them to preserve them.

Then somewhere along the way, it all got tied together and really became more about children. The Easter Bunny delivers a basket of chocolate and treats, then the basket is reused to go collect hidden colorful eggs that the Easter Bunny hid for them.

As a pistachio ranch and winery, we like the idea of combining Easter dinner and treats for the whole family into a basket.

Wine for Easter Dinner:

Let’s start with the wine. If you are preparing a lamb, go with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Ham wine pairings change a little depending on what kind you go with. If you are preparing a smoked ham, go with a Riesling. If you choose a honey baked, go with a Pinot Noir. If Roast Chicken is your protein of choice, select a Chardonnay.

Now add-in some treats that everyone can share. Perhaps a couple of varieties of pistachios or other nuts, some chocolates or other sweet treats and maybe a coffee to enjoy with dessert. Package it all up into a lovely basket and share with the family that is hosting Easter dinner. You can also check-in with your favorite basket company and have them pull it all together for you. Heart of the Desert makes some fantastic baskets that would be perfect for sharing on Easter.

Whatever your Easter traditions may be, we hope you are able to spend time with friends and family and enjoy the day.

Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. They are best known for their farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. They offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. The main store, on the ranch in Alamogordo, offers farm tours that showcases how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for weddings, private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine.