It wasn't too long after the post-Christmas sales before the hot-cross buns hit the shelves, reminding us that Easter was only a few months away. It really isn't too far away now, and we're once again surrounded by Easter sales and sugary treats wrapped in coloured foil.
Easter is really about new beginning and the celebration of life. It's easy to forget this in the hussle and bussle that it's become as people prepare for holidays, make sure they've bought enough chocolate for everyone, and organise family gatherings (not unlike what Christmas has become!).
So, this Easter, to help you break out of that hectic routine, here are three ways that you can do some good this Easter!
The humble egg has become as iconic to Easter as the pine tree has to Christmas. For many, however, eggs are vital to their survival - or more importantly, the chicken that lays the egg. In many third-world countries, chickens and other livestock are vital to the production of food and also a means of income for a whole family. Instead of spending so much money on sugary foods this year, how about thinking about people in need - and give a chicken.
Organisations such as Oxfam, World Vision and Tear Australia have been producing alternative gift catalogues for a number of years now. When purchasing a gift for someone, you can instead purchase an item from the organisation which will then go to a family in a third-world country. In return, you are given a gift card explaining your purchase which you can give to the person you're buying the gift for.
This Easter, why not think a bit differently and give a chicken to someone who needs one!
Visit Oxfam Unwrapped to give a chicken and other Easter goodies
Let's not deny it. Easter wouldn't be the same without chocolate. For those of you who would still like to give the classic chocolate Easter egg, why not make your Easter eggs ethical? Efforts such as World Vision's "Don't Trade Lives campaign" have raised awareness of the practices that go into harvesting much cocoa that goes into a lot of big brand chocolate. Many of the workers are trafficked and exploited for cheap labour. Human trafficking is the third-biggest transnational, organised crime in the world, behind drugs and arms. Cadbury also made news when they removed palm oil from their recipe. Palm oil production has been the source of controversy due to its impact on the environment.
These days it isn't too hard to find Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance products on your supermarket shelves. So, when you're thinking about making some chocolate Easter goodies, make them ethical!
Visit World Vision to learn how to make ethical Easter eggs
Here's something a little different. For many, the Easter break is a great way to get back into the garden and maybe plant some veggies. Community gardening has become a trend for many green thumbs. It's a great way to meet and work alongside people, and also to share produce with others (there's only so much pumpkin soup a person can eat!). In urban areas, gardens are springing up all over the place, from rooftops to side walks. They're a great way for people who don't have their own space to grow their own produce.
Many community gardens are also supporting the local community by providing fresh produce for people in need. This Easter, why not use those green thumbs to spread a bit of good around and grow something to give to others?
Visit the Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network to find a community garden in your area
The Easter Bilby! What a great initiative to bring Australian wildlife into focus during Easter! Darrel Lea has been making chocolate bilbies since 1994 and supporting the Save the Bilby fund since 1999. You can purchase of Easter Bilby chocolates to support this endangered species. After we published this post on Twitter, Joanna Fulton (@micro_jo) let us know that you can also adopt a bilby through Arid Recovery! They also offer support for other endangered Australian wildlife.
Help Australian wildlife and visit Arid Recovery to adopt a bibly this Easter! Thanks Joanna!
