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Easter is identified with painting and drawing on eggs, finding hidden eggs or chasing rabbits, but it is also a time for Christians to exchange gifts within their families or schools. It is an exciting time for children who have spent the whole morning trying to find Easter eggs. Knowing that they will receive a present from someone will make their imagination run wild, hoping and guessing what kind of gift they will get. Will it be what they expected or something they despise? All sorts of emotions will overwhelm not only children, but also adults.

Exchanging gifts originated with another Christian holiday — Christmas. According to legend, Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, always distributed presents to children who had been good during the year. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, while Easter celebrates the ascension of Jesus Christ. It is not uncommon for parents to give their children gifts on Easter.

This can happen in several ways. In some families everyone buys a gift for everyone else. In other families, a variety of gifts are bought and people draw for who gets what. Exchanging gifts is always fun for the children but can cause a headache for their parents, as their children could trade their gifts with their friends.

The types of gifts given at Easter have changed over recent years. The gifts used to be simple things like socks, shoes, clothes and school supplies. But these days, buying gifts has become costlier and more confusing as people try to choose between Converse’s Easter special-edition shoes, children’s clothing emblazoned with Easter themes or special jewelry carved with Easter themes.

Seasonal Easter celebrations can also be seen at malls and other shopping centers, such as Grand Indonesia Mall, where a giant chocolate egg is displayed for visitors to take their picture with. Shops at the mall also sell much smaller eggs at prices starting at Rp 100,000 for a box of fully-decorated Easter eggs. Visitors can also buy CDs of religious songs or paintings of a rabbit family at a park.

And while giving and receiving presents can be a lot of fun, there is a deeper essential meaning to Easter gifts. That is the joy of sharing and giving to other people in the spirit of Easter, whether we celebrate it with our beloved families or with unfortunate children in orphanages.

And whether we give tangible gifts or simply sing and dance together with orphans, we are sharing our God-given blessings with them, helping them see the light at the end of the tunnel, leaving them with the joy and happiness of Easter Day in their hearts. That is the essence of Easter, to celebrate the renewal of our hearts, filled with love for mankind, no matter how high or low we are on the social ladder.