Easter Decorations with a Christmas Twist: Hop Into a Festive Fusion!

Who says the sparkle of Christmas has to be packed away by January? At That's Christmas 365, we believe in keeping the spirit alive all year round—even during Easter!

With spring in the air, why not add a touch of Christmas cheer to your Easter décor? 

Whether you’re a holiday enthusiast or just love the cosy charm of twinkling lights and nostalgic trimmings, here’s how to bring a little yuletide magic to your Easter celebrations.

1. Easter Tree with a Yuletide Vibe

Just like a Christmas tree—but bunny approved! Start with a small artificial tree or some blossoming branches (think pussy willow or forsythia) arranged in a vase. Decorate with:

Mini pastel baubles

Glittery eggs

Tiny wooden ornaments shaped like rabbits, chicks, or lambs

A star topper (why not? It’s a Christmas/Easter fusion!)

Wrap the base in soft faux snow or a floral-patterned cloth for that perfect blend of seasons.

2. Twinkling Lights, All Year Bright

Fairy lights aren’t just for December! String warm white or pastel-hued lights around windows, wreaths, or your Easter centrepiece. Bunny-shaped lights or egg-inspired bulbs bring that spring feel, while still capturing Christmas sparkle.

3. Festive Table Settings

Combine seasonal colours with traditional Christmas elegance:

Use gold or silver chargers under plates decorated with florals or bunnies.

Napkin rings shaped like tiny wreaths or holly, but in pastel tones.

Name cards shaped like Easter eggs with a dusting of glitter.

Add a few baubles or mini pinecones (sprayed pink, lilac or yellow) scattered among the daffodils and hot cross buns for a magical effect.

4. Christmas Stockings… for the Easter Bunny

Yes, really! Hang pastel stockings or miniature gift bags on your mantel, filled with Easter treats. Label each with a family member’s name and let the Easter Bunny do a little festive delivery of chocolate eggs, small toys, or spring-themed trinkets.

5. Crossover Wreaths

Mix evergreen sprigs with faux spring florals to create a door wreath that feels both fresh and festive. Tuck in some small Easter eggs, ribbon bows in Christmas red and mint green, and perhaps a little wooden cross or bunny silhouette.

6. Holiday Scents and Sounds

Why not play instrumental versions of carols alongside fresh spring tunes? Light candles in vanilla, pine, or cinnamon scents and mix with florals like lavender or peony to create a comforting seasonal blend. You’ll be surprised how seamlessly they work together.

Why Mix Christmas with Easter?

Blending these two joyful seasons brings together family, tradition, and creativity. It’s a reminder that the warmth, kindness, and fun of Christmas doesn’t need to be limited to the coldest time of year. Plus, your guests will love the unexpected charm of your Easter wonderland with a North Pole twist!

Are you planning to try any of these ideas? Or do you already celebrate Easter the Christmas 365 way? Share your photos and tag us on Instagram @ThatsChristmas365 – we’d love to see how you’re making spirits bright all year long!

Easter Feasts at Home: A Celebration of Spring, Family, and Good Food

Easter is more than just chocolate eggs and bunny ears—it's a time of renewal, togetherness, and of course, a glorious excuse to gather your loved ones around a beautifully set table for a hearty meal.

 Whether you're planning a traditional roast, a casual brunch, or something a little more modern, hosting an Easter feast at home can be a joyful and delicious affair. Here's how to make it special.

Setting the Scene: Easter Ambience

Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere with a few seasonal touches. Think pastel tones, fresh spring flowers like daffodils or tulips, and nature-inspired centrepieces (a simple nest of faux eggs on a bed of moss is charming and easy to make). 

A pretty table runner, some rustic crockery, and a scattering of mini eggs in bowls will add to the Easter vibe without overdoing it.

Feast Ideas: From Brunch to Dinner

1. The Classic Easter Roast

You can’t go wrong with a traditional Sunday roast for Easter. Lamb is the star of the show here—slow-roasted with garlic, rosemary, and lemon for a melt-in-the-mouth centrepiece. Pair it with classic sides like roast potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, minted peas, and a rich red wine gravy.

Vegetarian twist? Try a mushroom and nut wellington or a roasted cauliflower steak with a herb crust—hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table.

2. Easter Brunch for a Relaxed Affair

If you're leaning towards something lighter and earlier in the day, a brunch spread can be just as festive. Consider:

Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on sourdough

A savoury tart or quiche (asparagus and goat’s cheese is a springtime favourite)

Hot cross buns, of course—served warm with lashings of butter

Fresh fruit, yoghurt, and granola

A mimosa or elderflower fizz to toast the occasion

Brunch gives you the freedom to mix sweet and savoury, and lets guests graze and chat in a laid-back setting.

3. A Garden-Inspired Buffet

If you’re lucky with the weather, a garden feast can be a magical way to celebrate Easter. Lay out a buffet with finger foods and salads:

Devilled eggs (with a hint of mustard and paprika)

Mini sausage rolls or veggie pasties

A herby potato salad and a vibrant beetroot and feta salad

An Easter cheese board with seasonal fruits and chutneys

This style of feast is great for larger gatherings and gives people plenty of options.

Sweet Finishes: Easter Desserts

End on a high note with something sweet and seasonal. A few favourites:

Simnel cake, rich with fruit and marzipan

Lemon drizzle cake for a zesty spring treat

Chocolate nests with mini eggs—fun to make and perfect if you’ve got little helpers

Pavlova with whipped cream and spring berries

Don’t forget a pot of tea or some after-dinner liqueurs to wind things down.

Make It Your Own

The beauty of hosting Easter at home is that you can tailor it to suit your tastes and traditions. Whether it’s an intimate meal with close family or a lively feast with friends and neighbours, the heart of Easter lies in sharing and celebration.

So fluff the napkins, set out the daffodils, and embrace the joy of the season—one delicious bite at a time.

How Christmas and Easter Traditions Overlap

At first glance, Christmas and Easter might seem like entirely separate holidays, one filled with twinkling lights and tinsel, the other marked by spring blooms and chocolate eggs. 

Yet, when we look closer, we find a surprising amount of overlap between the two. 

Both are rooted deeply in Christian tradition, they share symbolic themes, rituals, and even some curious cultural customs that have evolved over the centuries. 

Let’s explore how these two cornerstones of the Christian calendar connect more than we might realise.

1. Celebration of Light and Life

Both Christmas and Easter are centred around the idea of light overcoming darkness and life triumphing over death. Christmas, celebrated in the depths of winter, symbolises the arrival of Jesus — the “light of the world” — during the year’s darkest days. Similarly, Easter celebrates the resurrection, the ultimate victory of life over death.

In many traditions, candles play a significant role in both festivals, whether it’s lighting the Advent wreath at Christmas or the Paschal candle at Easter. These rituals reinforce the shared message of hope and renewal.

2. Preparation Periods: Advent and Lent

In the Christian calendar, both Christmas and Easter are preceded by reflective seasons: Advent before Christmas, and Lent before Easter. These periods serve as spiritual preparation, encouraging believers to reflect, repent, and ready their hearts for the celebration to come.

Advent, though more joyful in tone, shares some similarities with Lent. Both include traditions of fasting (or at least self-denial), prayer, and almsgiving. They’re about creating space — emotionally and spiritually — for transformation.

3. Feasting and Festivities

Both holidays are known for their feasts — after the preparation comes the celebration. Christmas Day and Easter Sunday are marked by special meals, sweets, and family gatherings. Traditional foods, from hot cross buns to Christmas puddings, carry religious and cultural symbolism that adds depth to the celebrations.

Interestingly, both holidays often include a “treat element” — whether it’s Christmas stockings or Easter baskets. These delight children and adults alike, echoing older traditions of gift-giving and symbolising generosity, abundance, and joy.

4. Symbols of Fertility and New Life

The Christmas tree and Easter egg may seem worlds apart, but both are deeply symbolic of life and fertility. Evergreen trees — a central part of many Christmas decorations — represent life that endures through the bleakness of winter. Easter eggs (and bunnies, for that matter) are ancient fertility symbols adopted into Christian tradition to represent the new life of the resurrection.

It’s no coincidence that Easter aligns with spring, when nature itself is being reborn, just as Christmas aligns with the turning point of winter, when the days begin to grow longer once again.

5. Cultural and Secular Crossover

Over time, both holidays have absorbed and transformed pre-Christian customs — from pagan winter solstice festivals influencing Christmas, to springtime fertility rites shaping Easter. This blending has led to many of the secular traditions we now take for granted: Santa Claus, Easter egg hunts, festive decorations, and seasonal songs.

Interestingly, both also serve as key moments in the retail calendar, with shops adorned in seasonal displays and families preparing weeks in advance.

6. The Central Role of Jesus

At their core, both Christmas and Easter revolve around the life of Jesus — his birth at Christmas and his death and resurrection at Easter. They are bookends of the Christian salvation story, reminding believers not just of who Jesus was, but why he matters.

This theological connection is often overlooked in the midst of chocolate and tinsel, yet it’s what binds the two holidays so closely together in Christian belief.

Final Thoughts

Though wrapped in different symbols and celebrated in different seasons, Christmas and Easter are more alike than we often realise. Both tell stories of hope, renewal, and the enduring light that shines through even the darkest times. Whether you’re gathering with family at a twinkling Christmas table or sharing hot cross buns on a spring morning, you’re part of a long tradition that celebrates the same profound truths.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s something worth carrying with us year-round.

The Best Easter Gifts for Christmas Lovers: A Festive Twist on Springtime Giving

Easter might be all about bunnies, bonnets, and chocolate eggs, but if you have a friend or family member who lives and breathes Christmas year-round, why not give their Easter a festive twist? 

For those who never quite come down from the holly-jolly high of December, there are plenty of ways to surprise them with Easter gifts that channel their love of the Yuletide season.

Here are some delightfully merry Easter gift ideas that will make any Christmas lover’s spring feel a little more like winter wonderland:

1. Christmas-Themed Easter Eggs

Swap the pastel shades for rich reds, emerald greens, and golds. You can either decorate your own or find bespoke chocolate eggs adorned with snowflakes, reindeer, or even Santa himself. For an extra festive flourish, hide them in tiny Christmas stockings instead of baskets.

2. Festive Scented Candles

Evoke the cosiness of Christmas with scents like cinnamon, clove, gingerbread, or pine. While everyone else is filling their homes with floral spring aromas, your Christmas-loving pal will be basking in the warm glow of mulled wine and fresh fir.

3. A Christmas Book to Tide Them Over

From heartwarming Christmas romance novels to cosy murder mysteries set in snowy villages, a festive read is the perfect Easter weekend indulgence. Bonus points if you pair it with a mug of cocoa and a themed bookmark.

4. Easter Stocking Filled with Christmas Treats

Who says stockings are just for Christmas morning? Fill one with mini mince pies, candy canes, or Christmas-flavoured teas (yes, that’s a thing). Add a quirky bauble or a tiny nutcracker ornament to make it truly special.

5. “Countdown to Christmas” Easter Calendar

Turn the concept of an Advent calendar on its head with a “Countdown to Christmas from Easter” calendar. Include 12 or 24 mini surprises (think: mini chocolates, little trinkets, or festive quotes) that lead up to their own personal "Halfway to Christmas" celebration.

6. A Christmas Playlist on a Custom USB or Vinyl

For the person who plays Mariah Carey in July, why not give them a springtime excuse to keep the tunes going? Create a curated playlist of Christmas classics and newer hits on a keepsake USB or even a novelty vinyl if they’re a collector.

7. Personalised Christmas Decoration with an Easter Twist

Think: baubles with bunnies, or ornaments engraved with “Happy Easter – Only 247 Days ‘til Christmas!” It’s quirky, cute, and totally in tune with their festive obsession.

8. A Christmas-in-Spring Hamper

Put together a gift basket with hot chocolate, peppermint bark, a festive mug, and a spring-themed Christmas film (like Rise of the Guardians, which blends holiday spirit and seasonal magic). Add a bunny wearing a Santa hat for maximum crossover appeal.

Final Thoughts

Christmas lovers don’t need a calendar to tell them when it’s time to celebrate. Easter is the perfect opportunity to indulge their festive passion with a bit of creativity and a lot of sparkle. Whether it’s a snowy-scented candle or a chocolate egg wrapped in tinsel, a little Christmas cheer in April might be just what they need.

After all, in the hearts of true Christmas lovers, it’s always the most wonderful time of the year.

Master Choclatier Oli the Choc Brings the Magic of Chocolate to Easter!

You'll be able to step into a world of pure chocolaty imagination with Oli The Choc, the visionary Master Chocolatier who is on a vital mission to inspire creativity through the magic of chocolate.

From growing up in his parents’ home chocolate factory to becoming a master of his craft, Oli’s passion is as rich as his creations.

His infectious love for chocolate isn’t just about taste, it’s about the experience, creativity, and fun!

Welcome to Oli’s Weird and Wonderful Chocolate World, where anything is possible!

So, the only question is… Are you ready to CHOC ‘N’ ROLL?

As seen on This Morning with Dermot O’Leary and Sian Welby, this Easter Oli The Choc unleashed the secret to making Dubai chocolate at home. Sian couldn’t resist getting stuck in—tasting the warm, melted chocolate straight from the bowl using a ladle like it was soup! It’s that irresistible!

Welcome to the Viral Dubai Easter Egg Masterclass—created to captivate both the taste buds and social media. This Easter Egg is set to become the must-have treat of the season. But it’s not just a dessert—it’s an experience.

Oli on the show

Are you ready to test your level of creativity today with chocolate?

If so, here’s how to make the Viral Dubai Easter Egg for the family – We dare you to share!

Ingredients

500g solid milk chocolate

200g Kataifi (Kataifi is a delicate, shredded phyllo dough pastry, but you can substitute with Shredded Wheat but may not be quite as crunchy)

60g Tahini

300g pistachio cream (shop bought or homemade / blended pistachios)

1 sheet gold leaf

20g green coloured chocolate (mix oil-based colour with white chocolate)

Equipment

Egg mould x 2 halves

Plastic microwaveable bowls x 2

Spatula x 2

Scraper

Greaseproof paper

Piping bags

Microwave

Recipe based on a 10” tall egg weighing approx. 1KG.

Method

Take one clean (half) egg mould and decorate the inside with drizzles of green chocolate using a piping bag and add gold leaf.

Fill the mould with tempered milk chocolate.

Empty out the excess chocolate, leaving a layer inside.

Once set, scrape off the excess and proceed to the next step.

Fill with a thick layer of the premixed pistachio, tahini, and Kataifi.

Cover the pistachio layer with another layer of milk chocolate and leave to set.

Once completely set, scrape any excess and place in the fridge.

Stick the two halves together with tempered chocolate—perhaps hiding some chocolate goodies inside, like Oli’s signature Holy Grail.

Looking to elevate your chocolate indulgence even further? The legendary Holy Grail chocolate can be purchased exclusively at Oli The Choc’s official store which you will find here https://www.olithechoc.com

You can follow Oli's recipe here as he shows Dermot and Sian how to make the truly stunning eggs!

How Christmas and Easter Traditions Overlap

Christmas and Easter are two of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar, marking the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, respectively. 

While they occur at opposite ends of the year. Christmas in the depths of winter and Easter in the heart of spring, though many of their traditions share striking similarities. 

From festive feasts to symbolic decorations, these two holidays have more in common than one might initially think.

1. Feasting and Festive Foods

Both Christmas and Easter are times of indulgence, centred around family meals and traditional dishes.

Christmas Feast: The British Christmas dinner is a grand affair, with roast turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, pigs in blankets, and Christmas pudding taking centre stage.

Easter Feast: While the Easter Sunday meal may not be quite as elaborate, it often features a roast, typically lamb, accompanied by spring vegetables and, of course, hot cross buns.

In both cases, food plays a central role in bringing families together, offering a moment of joy and connection.

2. The Role of Sweet Treats

Sweet indulgences define both celebrations, with symbolic confections linked to their historical and religious significance.

Christmas Treats: Mince pies, yule logs, Christmas cake, and chocolate coins are all festive staples.

Easter Treats: Chocolate eggs, simnel cake, and Easter nests take the spotlight.

Interestingly, both Christmas and Easter have a shared love for marzipan—used in Christmas cakes and simnel cakes—as well as an abundance of chocolate treats.

3. Symbolic Decorations

Decorations are a key part of both celebrations, and although Christmas trees and Easter eggs may seem vastly different, the use of natural elements and lights creates a shared festive atmosphere.

Evergreens & Spring Flowers: Christmas uses holly, ivy, and mistletoe, while Easter is associated with daffodils, lilies, and tulips. Both reflect themes of renewal and eternal life.

Lights & Candles: Christmas is famed for its fairy lights and glowing candles, while Easter services often feature candlelit vigils, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

Additionally, both holidays make use of wreaths—Christmas wreaths are hung on doors, while some Easter traditions incorporate floral wreaths in processions or church displays.

4. Gift-Giving Traditions

While Christmas is the undisputed king of gift-giving, Easter also involves the exchange of presents, particularly among children.

Christmas Gifts: Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) brings presents on Christmas Eve, with gifts unwrapped on Christmas morning.

Easter Gifts: Easter eggs, whether chocolate or decorative, are given to children, and in some traditions, small toys or books may accompany them.

Both holidays have figures associated with bringing treats: Santa Claus at Christmas and the Easter Bunny at Easter.

5. Religious Observances

As Christian celebrations, both Christmas and Easter have deep religious significance and are marked by special services, prayers, and processions.

Christmas Mass & Carols: Many attend midnight Mass or a Christmas Day service, often accompanied by the singing of carols.

Easter Vigil & Hymns: Easter Sunday services are filled with hymns of resurrection, and some churches hold special candlelit vigils on Holy Saturday.

Additionally, both holidays are preceded by a time of spiritual preparation—Advent leading up to Christmas and Lent leading up to Easter.

6. Pagan Roots and Seasonal Influences

Both Christmas and Easter have roots that intertwine with older, pre-Christian traditions.

Winter & Summer Solstice Connections: Christmas aligns with ancient midwinter festivals like Yule, celebrating the return of light. Easter coincides with springtime fertility festivals, symbolising rebirth and renewal.

Eggs & Trees: The egg, a common Easter symbol, represents new life, much like the evergreen tree at Christmas symbolises eternal life.

Despite their Christian meanings, both holidays reflect humanity's long-standing traditions of celebrating the changing seasons.

Final Thoughts

While Christmas and Easter may seem worlds apart, their shared traditions—festive feasts, symbolic treats, meaningful decorations, and joyful gatherings—show how they are deeply intertwined. Whether it’s through the lights of Christmas or the flowers of Easter, both holidays celebrate life, hope, and togetherness, offering warmth in the heart of winter and renewal in the bloom of spring.

So, as you enjoy your Easter treats, you might just find a little bit of Christmas spirit lingering in the air!