The festivities may look a little different this year, but the reason for the season stays the same.

Tune into a church service.

Many churches have now made their services available online, either through a live stream or through a recorded podcast. If your own place of worship doesn’t have streaming capabilities, “visit” another church instead. Ever wanted to spend Easter Sunday at Washington National Cathedral? Here’s your chance.

Go ahead. Wear that Easter dress.

If you've been rocking a daily social-distancing look of yoga pants and bedhead (absolutely zero judgement here), Easter is a good opportunity to shake up the quarantine routine. For those who ordered their dresses the second spring collections hit stores, don’t waste them; wear them to your living room. And for those who still don’t have an Easter dress, buy one online from a Southern brand or local boutique that could use your support now more than ever. A win-win, if we’ve ever heard of one.

Listen to a worship playlist.

While there’s certainly no replacement for your own church choir, a well-curated Spotify playlist of Easter tunes can help you and your family make a joyful noise, even if you’re the most tone-deaf crew on the block. And for those in need of a spirit-lifting performance, it’s hard not to smile and clap along when you watch the Mississippi Mass Choir.

Schedule a virtual hangout with family or friends.

Thanks to FaceTime and apps like Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Houseparty, it’s never been easier to feel close to loved ones, even when you’re miles away. Organize a virtual Easter lunch with all of the cousins, or tune in to the same church service together. But in your excitement about all the virtual possibilities, don’t forget the less technologically savvy: Pick up the phone to wish those loved ones a happy Easter too.

Give an offering.

You may not be passing around the offering plate at church, but consider making an Easter-inspired donation to an organization that is meaningful to you, whether it’s your church, a local food pantry, or your own hairstylist who’s currently out of work. A little generosity goes a long way.

Send Easter cards.

For those who aren’t typically big snail-mail fans, all this extra time indoors is an excellent opportunity to practice your penmanship and flex your letter-writing muscles to send Easter greetings to loved ones near and far. For the younger set, pull out the craft supplies and have them make cards for their grandparents, elderly neighbors, and residents at local nursing homes who can’t receive visitors.

Dye Easter eggs.

Entertain your little ones in the days leading up to Easter by dyeing eggs. Go old-school and dye them with Kool-Aid powder; get artsy and speckle them with rice; or sneak in a fun, fizzy science lesson with baking soda.

Have an egg hunt in the backyard.

They’ll likely be disappointed by the fact that there won’t be a church/school/neighborhood Easter party this year, so send the kids to the backyard for their very own mini Easter egg hunt. A little sunshine is a welcome distraction, plus you can up the ante with a golden egg: Whoever finds it gets to choose the family movie that night.

Set the table in style.

Pull out the china, iron the tablecloth, and polish the silver. Even if your dining room won’t be as crowded as you’re accustomed to, you can still set a celebratory tone for the day by twirling up the table. Cut clippings from the yard for a fresh, colorful arrangement.

Make a classic Easter recipe.

Aunt Leigh may always make the deviled eggs for your family’s Easter brunch, but this year, if you want deviled eggs, it’s up to you. Call her for some tips on piping the yolk mixture back into the egg white, and ask if she’ll share her top-secret ingredient. Nothing like a shared family secret to make everyone feel a little closer! Plus, it’s an easy way to keep favorite traditions alive, even when the usual gathering has been canceled.

Establish a new tradition.

Rather than focusing on all the ways that the holiday is different this year, use your at-home Easter as an excuse to start a new tradition. Try a more involved baking project, like a showstopping layer cake; hand-paint eggs for a pretty centerpiece; or curl up for a bedtime reading of The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes.

Credit : southernliving