Easter is the most meaningful of all the Christian holidays as it is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ after His Crucifixion. However, for many people around the world, it is also a time associated with the Easter Bunny, who brings Easter eggs, candy, and other treats to children, usually on the morning of Easter Sunday. Have you ever wondered how these wildly different concepts and traditions became so intertwined?

The origins of the Easter Bunny are somewhat cloudy, but there are many theories on this subject. A couple of themes that unite many of these theories are:

· Rabbits and hares have long been associated with fertility and new life, largely because of their impressive reproduction rates.

· Eggs have also traditionally been associated with fertility and rebirth.

One popular theory that combines these themes in an interesting way is that the Easter Bunny has its roots in German folklore. This tradition centred on an egg-laying hare known as the "Osterhase." The Osterhase would lay colourful eggs as gifts for well-behaved children at Easter, so the children would build nests in which the hare could leave its eggs. Sometimes the children would leave carrots out for the Osterhase in case it got hungry.

This tradition came to America in the 1700s, brought by German immigrants settling in Pennsylvania. Eventually, this popular tradition spread across North America and eventually evolved into the modern-day Easter Bunny. The treats brought by this famous bunny expanded over time to include candy, chocolate, and toys. It is also theorized that the nests children once built for the Osterhase became the ever-popular Easter baskets as this custom grew and developed over time.

Today, the Easter Bunny is a beloved character in many cultures around the world. In some countries, it is still associated with the Christian tradition of Easter, while in others, it is simply a symbol of spring and new life. In many places, children still leave out carrots or other treats for the Easter Bunny, just as they leave out cookies and milk for Santa Claus at Christmas.

Dean LaBerge, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Grizzly Gazette