5+1 reasons for children to spend Easter in the village!

Travelling to a village in order to spend Easter holidays close to beloved relatives and friends, is for many Greeks, the most preferred option, a favorite habit, a family tradition. Those who are lucky enough to visit their village during these days know, from firsthand experience, that Easter holidays augur wonderful moments, getting a whiff of whitewashed yards, freshly baked easter breads and cookies, as well as hearing sounds of devotional Christian psalms, traditional songs, and lively voices! The holiday season is a great opportunity to rest, relax, have fun, and reconnect with nature and tradition.

How do children benefit from spending Easter holidays in the village?

Young or old, almost everyone likes the idea of spending Easter vacations in the village. Especially for children, it is a valuable experience, since they:

Get close to nature: By pausing their everyday routine, children can relax and find in the countryside the opportunity to indulge in new adventures. Spending their Easter holidays in the village, our little friends will get familiarized with the elements of nature (plants, insects, and animals) and feel carefree for a while, thriving away from the exhaust fumes and the anxieties of urban life.

Play outdoors all day: In urban centers, children spend only a few hours of the day away from home; their daily schedule is demanding, leisure time is limited, people are unknown to each other, and the city streets are busy and dangerous. In the village, however, life is different. Everyone knows each other; thus, parents usually feel comfortable enough to let children stay outdoors all day, often without constant supervision (from a certain age and above). Consequently, children have the chance to spill out into the sandlots, fields, and village square, playing with their cousins and friends for as long as they like!

Meet up after a long time with friends and cousins: In the village, children meet with cousins or friends they do not often see, socialize with new people and neighbors, develop strong bonds, communicate, and feel free to be themselves.

Spend time with grandma and grandpa: Apart from the fact that children always have a soft spot for grandma and grandpa, spending Easter holidays with them is even more wonderful. Without school, homework, activities, and rest obligations, they enjoy to the fullest the care and attention of grandparents, sharing beautiful moments, receiving, and spreading love, learning from them, helping, and spending precious time with each other. On the other hand, usually grandparents do not miss the opportunity to fulfill all their wishes!

Get to know the customs: Every place has its own special customs. Especially for children, it is of great value to experience the Easter traditions in their place of origin, and undoubtedly, it will be better than doing so in a crowded city. For example, on Holy Monday, it is customary to clean the house and whitewash the yards and terraces. On Tuesday, housewives usually prepare the Easter cookies, while on Thursday, Easter buns are kneaded, and eggs are dyed. On Friday, it is time for the customs concerning the Epitaph (the procession of the epitaph), while on Holy Saturday, preparations for the Resurrection and Sunday begin.

Become part of the village: On Sunday, families have a feast. If the weather is sunny, the meal takes place in the courtyards and everyone is welcomed: family, friends, relatives, and neighbors. They all become a group, eating together, laughing and dancing. In other words, no one feels lonely.

Tradition evokes special memories, consolidating our identity and providing children with a sense of continuity. Through images and smells, ceremonies and customs, tradition connects us with our past, binding us as a family, as a community, as human beings. Happy Easter!