I think it all depends on the individual family as to what the true meaning of holidays are. If you’re not religious, then you’re not going to need to explain to the kids the religious stories associated with certain holidays. To us, it’s all about family and catching up and spending time with them

I know this is an old post – but wanted to share this anyway… we give almost no chocolates every year. One year to help overcome this problem, we discussed new life and the religious meaning and gave bulbs for the garden. Each child had a pot to decorate and bulbs to plant in it. This was very rewarding and gave is a chance to sit, talk and contemplate the true meaning of Easter. This could be discussed weeks later as the bulbs were cared for, flowered and then died back awaiting a new year.

sad to say this is so true! perhaps if you give each child an easter egg and say this could be symbolic of a new spiritual life that Jesus dying on the cross created for us. That is how I like to look at it.

I feel the same way. The society we live in today is based on commercialism. Easter is about chocolate….christmas is about presents. Its very sad that the true meaning is lost!

Holidays have become so commercialised. It is very sad.

a lot of true meanings get swept away with comercialism

I see your point, but for those of us who aren’t religous, chocolate and the Easter bunny kind of ARE the point of Easter.

I fully agree. Its a shame about society, but this is the world we are living in these days, therefore its up to us to teach our kids the true meaning and how blessed we are to have a loving Heavenly Father. Then they hopefully will go out into this messed up world and spread some goodness.

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  • • hopefullyheidi replied
    • 16 Apr 2014 , 9:21 pm

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  I enrolled my son in Religious education at his school. They have a fantastic program and he was able to discuss with me Mary crying at Jesus tomb and Jesus rising again. We have a children’s Bible story book at home that was given to me when I was younger than my son.

Unfortunately while these things used to be covered by schools, most schools don’t teach it anymore in case they ‘offend’ any other religions! So I guess it’s up to the families to teach their own kids about the meanings behind holidays now.

Its up to us parents to teach our kids the true meaning of these religious days according to our own religions. Otherwise, they all become a commercial thing such as with shops selling hot cross buns as soon as Christmas is finished.

We aren’t a religious family at all big celebrate Christmas and Easter. While we don’t necessarily believe the meaning if Christmas and Easter I still find it important to educate my kids on the real reason as to why we celebrate these holidays. Wether you believe or not those days are here because of religion

sadly it’s the way the world has changed but I feel it is up to us as parents and Grand Parents to teach our children the true meaning of things.

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  • • hopefullyheidi replied
    • 14 Apr 2014 , 7:35 pm

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  It is sad and I do agree that it is up to us individually to pass on the true meaning if these events.

They used to have a lot of shows on at this time of the year about the crucifixion and resurrection – maybe you could sit down and watch some of those with him? It is hard too when a lot of other kids, and adults too, really emphasize the chocolate element.

I agree & do think as a society, we are starting to lose the true meaning of Easter, & like Xmas, has become all about $$ & the commercial sell with the religious mean being lost. We certainly celebrate the religious component of both events by going to church-mind you we don’t go any other time lol!