The Blessing of Easter Baskets is a beautiful and meaningful tradition celebrated by many Christian communities—especially in Eastern European countries like Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and parts of Germany. It's often called Święconka (shvyen-SOON-kah) in Polish and takes place on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. 🌿 What’s It About? The tradition involves bringing a basket of food to church to be blessed by a priest. The basket contains symbolic foods that will be eaten on Easter Sunday after the long Lenten fast. 🧺 What’s in the Basket? Each item carries spiritual symbolism: Eggs 🥚 – A symbol of new life and Christ’s resurrection. Bread 🍞 – Represents Jesus as the Bread of Life. Salt 🧂 – Preserves and adds flavor, symbolizing wisdom and purification. Ham or sausage 🐖 – Celebrates the end of fasting and God’s generosity. Cheese 🧀 – A sign of moderation and self-control. Butter 🧈 – Often shaped into a lamb, symbolizing the Lamb of God. Horseradish 🌿 – Represents the bitterness of the Passion of Christ. Cake 🍰 – A treat to symbolize joy and celebration. The baskets are often decorated with linens, ribbons, and greenery—reflecting joy and festivity. ✝️ Why Do We Do It? The blessing not only sanctifies the food but also encourages families to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. It’s a joyful, reverent way to transition from the solemnity of Lent into the celebration of Easter. Many families display their blessed basket at their Easter meal and take great pride in preparing it together—making it a treasured part of their faith and heritage.