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After almost a full year of navigating a global pandemic, we’ve learned to pivot and adapt in so many ways, even through loss and heartbreak. On February 22, 2021, President Joe Biden tried to help ease the heartbreak of so many Americans who are grappling with loss and the heartbreak of spending holidays without loved ones.
“For some of you, it’s been a year, a month, a week, a day, even an hour. And I know that when you stare at that empty chair around the kitchen table, it brings it all back, no matter how long ago it happened, as if it just happened that moment you looked at that empty chair. The birthdays, the anniversaries, the holidays without them,” Biden addressed the nation.
Coronavirus cases have surged after almost every major holiday in the United States. While cases have been falling in recent weeks due to social distancing efforts, mask-wearing, and the painfully slow vaccination rollouts, the threat of infection remains in the U.S.
As we approach yet another holiday weekend, we must change how we approach and celebrate Easter in 2021 to help decrease the rate of new COVID-19 infections. Vaccines are rolling out, but it is slow-going. In the meantime, here are 7 tips for celebrating Easter this year.
How to celebrate Easter in 2021
With half a million COVID-19 related deaths and COVID-19 variants spiking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations have remained largely the same over the past several months.
1. Stay home, save lives.
“To decrease your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19, CDC recommends that you do not gather with people who do not live with you at this time. Attending events and gatherings increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19,” the CDC website states.
2. If you must gather, do so outdoors.
That said, it’s inevitable that some families will continue to gather this Easter. For those who do, adhere to the following CDC Easter safety tips:
- Keep all dining and activities outside
- Bring your own food and utensils
- Wear a mask and maintain social distancing
- Enjoy an outdoor Easter egg hunt but have hand sanitizer readily available
3. Get vaccinated when you’re eligible.
Many families are wondering if it’s safe to gather once everyone in their family has been vaccinated. Dr. Colleen Kelley, who works in infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and is directly involved with the Moderna and Norvavax vaccine clinical trials, addressed the issue. “That would be safe, if everyone in the family has been vaccinated,” Kelley told Today.com.
“I think the issue is it’s going to be a long time before we get to the place where all members of a family are vaccinated, especially if it’s a multigenerational family with grandparents and little kids and adults,” Kelley continued. “But I think once we get to the place where everyone in the family is vaccinated, then yes, they should feel free to see each other freely.”
Online Easter services and virtual celebrations
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and while it is a long tunnel, there’s a glimmer of hope. In the meantime, there are celebration options for Easter 2021 that don’t involve gathering.
4. Think outside the box for Easter services
“We are doing a drive-through Easter extravaganza through our church,” mom of two Niccole Mucci told Mom.com. Many churches across the country are gearing up for online Easter services. Those who aren’t conducting Easter Mass online are setting up drive-through Easter celebrations, much like the one Mucci’s church is facilitating.
5. Conduct a virtual Easter egg hunt
One of the most anticipated events for Easter is of course the egg hunt. Even if you’re not meeting in person, there are still ways to enjoy this fun part of the holiday. Neighborhoods across America celebrated with colorful egg pictures in windows allowing for a virtual scavenger hunt for neighborhood kids. Some families even set up Zoom scavenger hunts while others were able to visit the Easter Bunny virtually.
6. Have a virtual Easter dinner
At the very start of the pandemic, families gathered via Zoom to celebrate Easter with family and friends. Now, as we approach the one-year mark of trying to maintain a sense of normalcy, we’re all used to celebrating in this manner. “On Easter Day, we usually have a big, casual Easter brunch with extended family and friends,” Sarah Shemkus told Mom.com last year. “My sister, the host, is planning to set up a Zoom call, so we can all say ‘hi’ and toast with mimosas from home.”
Send Easter baskets and gifts online
7. Be a virtual Easter Bunny
Businesses across the board have shifted and adjusted to this new way of life, and now it is easier than ever to send gifts for every occasion online. Here are a few ways to send Easter candy, decorations, or Easter baskets for online delivery:
- The Bunny Tail Basket from Cheryl’s Cookies includes an assortment of cookies, bars, and candy-coated pretzels.
- Send an Easter Candy Basket designed by From You Flowers to a special child in your life.
- If you can’t be there in person, but want to send a delicious Easter dinner, Honey Baked Ham Company will ship to friends and family.
