Smigus Dyngus / Dyngus Day / Wet Monday / Easter Monday
After Easter events include egg rolling competitions (ex. White House Easter Egg Roll) and, in many Catholic countries, dousing other people with holy water blessed the day before at Easter Sunday Mass.

In the United States, Dyngus Day celebrations are widespread and popular in Buffalo, New York and South Bend, Indiana. In Buffalo’s eastern suburbs, Dyngus Day is celebrated with a level of enthusiasm that rivals St. Patrick’s Day. Common tradition is to buy pussy willow (Salix discolor) to display in the home; this is tied to the “striking” custom from Poland, where goat willow, the European type of pussy willow, was traditionally used for whipping the legs of girls. In South Bend, the day is often used to launch the year’s political campaign season (particularly among Democrats)- often from within the West-Side Democratic Club, the Falcons Club or in local pubs, where buying drinks is favored over handshaking.

Starting in 2004, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana began celebrating Dyngus Day at the request of South Bend students. The event includes free Polish sausage for students as well as a free concert. This year they will celebrate a “Belated Dyngus Day” the following Monday since Easter Monday falls during a vacation week for students. Wet Monday is also celebrated at Jonathan Edwards College, one of the residential colleges at Yale University, when each year the freshman class storms the college with water weapons, where upperclassmen are ready to defend the college and ensure no one goes home dry.

For Easter Monday in Hungary, perfume or perfumed-water is used. The girls would reward the boys who sprinkle with coins or Easter eggs.*

*source: wikipedia – Easter Monday
photo credit: klbndc via flickr

Did You Know?
April 24

It’s Easter!!

Thanks for joining us as we counted down to Easter.

Hoppy Easter,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Easter (Christian)
Easter is the springtime holiday marking the rebirth of Jesus and the renewal of the Christian faith.

It is a blessed time for the faithful to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of the Savior… and a magical time for children to enjoy chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks and jellybean-filled Easter eggs.

Join us for our Easter celebration – Easter on the Net

Photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore About Easter
April 23 : Holy Saturday, Easter Even
01 day till Easter

Did you know that over one billion Easter eggs are hunted every year in America?

The most popular (or at least the most televised) Easter egg hunt is the one held at the White House. President Hayes hosted the first White House Egg Hunt in 1878, launching a tradition that has continued to this day.

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama will sponsor the White House Easter Egg Hunt on Monday April 25, 2011. The theme of this years event is “Get Up and Go!”, which is intended to encourage America’s youngsters to lead active, healthy lives and to follow the First Lady?s “Let?s Move!” initiative.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! Join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day and countdown to Easter on April 24th!

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Easter Even / Holy Saturday / The Great Sabbath (Christian)
The Saturday before Easter and last day of Holy Week.

In Roman Catholic Churches, the altar is either stripped completely bare or coloured in violet, while the administration of the sacraments is severely limited. Holy Communion is given only as Viaticum. All Masses are strictly prohibited. No Mass at all appears in the liturgy for this day, nor for the preceding day, Good Friday. Many of the churches of the Anglican Communion observe most of the same traditions, however their altars are usually stripped or coloured in black.*

* source: wikipedia – Holy Saturday

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore About Easter
April 22 : Good Friday
02 days till Easter

Did you know that in many Catholic churches, Good Friday services begin at precisely 3 o’clock* (PM)?

*This is the time that Jesus is believed to have died on the Cross.

Good Friday is a solemn day of prayer, repentance and, in some churches, fasting in commemoration of Jesus’ death. Catholics, Greek and Russian Orthodox, and many Protestants celebrate Good Friday.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! Join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day and countdown to Easter on April 24th!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore About Easter
April 21 : Holy Thursday
03 days till Easter

Did you know that in Russia, Easter eggs are dyed on Holy Thursday*?

The traditional method involves boiling the eggs in a mixture of onion peels and silk scraps. Russian Easter eggs are thought to possess magic powers, including bringing prosperity and warding off evil spirits.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! Join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day and countdown to Easter on April 24th!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore About Easter
April 20 : 04 days till Easter

Did you know that in Greece, children and adults alike play an egg cracking game called tsougrisma on Easter?

Players attempt to crack their eggs against their friend’s egg; the last person with an un-cracked egg is considered the lucky one. The Greeks traditionally dye their eggs red, symbolizing the blood and passion of Christ.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! Join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day and countdown to Easter on April 24th!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Holiday Reminder: Easter will be celebrated this Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Hoppy Easter!

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to hop on over to our Easter celebration, Easter on the Net.

Our Easter celebration has everything you could possibly want to know about this pinnacle holiday in the Christian religion. From an overview of Easter and the holiday’s historical origins to an explanation of the 40-day Lenten Season, including the holidays of Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

Have you ever wondered how Easter is celebrated in the Holy Land? Or what traditions are practiced by the Russian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox communities? Speaking of which, do you know why there are two different dates for Easter — one celebrated by Western churches, the other by Eastern Orthodox churches?

Perhaps you think you know already all there is to know about Easter! Like where the custom of hunting for Easter eggs comes from. And why the bunny rabbit is a symbol of Easter. Or how the Easter lily became associated with this springtime holiday. And just why we eat so much chocolate and marshmallowy candy at Easter time. You can brush up on the answers to these questions and more in our newest trivia feature: Did You Know Easter?

Do you have young children at home? Help them get ready for the Easter holiday by sending an email to the Easter bunny (every child will receive a personalized message in return!) or by enjoying one of our age-appropriate Easter crafts and coloring pages. We also have tips for hosting the perfect Easter egg hunt, cooking up a mouth-watering Easter menu and organizing a round of Easter egg games. We even have step-by-step instructions for making your own Easter egg baskets.

Finally, don’t forget to wish your family and friends a Happy, Hoppy Easter by sending one of our free Easter e-cards.

This year, the moveable feast of Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 24, 2011. The Eastern Orthodox churches will also enjoy their Easter celebrations on Sunday, April 24. We look forward to sharing our celebrations with you and your family.

Happy Easter!

Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore About Easter
April 19 : 05 days till Easter

Did you know that the trumpet shape of the Easter Lily is considered symbolic of the heralding of Jesus on his triumphant entry into Jerusalem?

Biblical scholars also tell us that lilies may have grown in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas betrayed Jesus.

Did you know that 95 percent of the world’s Easter Lilies are produced by just ten growers along the California-Oregon border?

Known as the Easter Lily Capital of the World, this area sees more than 15 million lily bulbs planted each year to meet the Easter demand.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! Join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day and countdown to Easter on April 24th!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)