Lambs, chicks and baby creatures of all kinds are associated with spring and Easter, symbolizing the birth of new life.

Since ancient times many cultures have associated eggs with the rebirth of life.  Eventually people began decorating and hiding them for children to find during Easter, giving birth to the Easter Egg Hunt. 

The Easter Bunny is a cute little rabbit that hides eggs for us to find on Easter.  His origin is not certain, but in the rites of spring the rabbit also symbolized fertility. In a German book published in 1682, a tale is told of a bunny laying eggs and hiding them in the garden.

The Easter Basket has roots in a Catholic custom. Baskets filled with breads, cheeses, hams and other foods for Easter dinner were taken to mass Easter morning to be blessed. This evolved in time to baskets filled with chocolate eggs, jellybeans, toys and stuffed bunnies left by the Easter Bunny for children.

The Easter bonnet and new clothes on Easter symbolize the end of the dreary winter and the beginning of the fresh, new spring. At the turn of the century it was popular for families to stroll to church and home again to show off their "Sunday best".

The Easter lily decorates homes and churches and is a popular gift.