What to give for Easter: flowers, gifts and traditions

Expensive presents are not customary at Easter: what matters is attention, warmth and the symbols of the holiday. Here is what to give your parents, your hosts, children and colleagues for Easter, which flowers and arrangements suit the holiday and how to make kindness part of Velykden.

Easter arrangements and spring flowers are in our flower baskets and tulips sections.

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The tradition of Easter gifts

In Ukraine people have long exchanged krashanky and pysanky, treated each other to paska and given children sweets. Over time spring flowers and arrangements joined the traditional gifts: they symbolise renewal and the joy of the holiday and go well with Easter decor.

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What to give whom

• Your hosts, if you are invited to Easter lunch — paska, sweets or a spring bouquet.
• Parents — a basket with flowers, dyed eggs and treats.
• Children — chocolate eggs, a book or an egg-decorating kit.
• Grandparents — a flowering plant in a pot: a hyacinth, daffodil or tulips.
• Colleagues — dyed eggs, gingerbread or mini arrangements.

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Flowers and arrangements for Easter

• Spring bouquets — tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and ranunculus in soft pastel shades.
• Basket arrangements with flowers, moss, quail eggs or decorative dyed eggs.
• Potted plants — bulbs can be planted in the garden after flowering.
• Pussy willow branches — the symbol of Palm Sunday, lovely in Easter decor.

For decorating ideas, see "DIY Easter basket" and "Easter symbols".

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Handmade gifts

• Pysanky or krashanky decorated together with children.
• Homemade paska in pretty packaging.
• A card with handwritten wishes.
• A small arrangement of spring flowers in a basket or box.

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Doing good

Easter is a time to care for others. Many people visit lonely relatives and neighbours on this day, bring food to social care institutions and support volunteer initiatives. Such a gift costs little but means a great deal.

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Easter etiquette

• Visiting someone? Bring paska, sweets or flowers.
• Give an odd number of flowers if there are only a few.
• Avoid gifts unrelated to the holiday if you don't know the person's tastes.
• Greet your loved ones in person or by phone — attention matters more than the gift.

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FAQ

What is traditionally given at Easter?

Dyed and decorated eggs, paska, sweets for children, plus spring flowers and potted plants.

Which flowers make a good Easter gift?

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, ranunculus or a basket arrangement with Easter decorations.

What should I bring my hosts for Easter?

Paska, sweets or a small spring bouquet.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.