Due to the quarantine, we will celebrate Easter differently this year…
Fortunately, several partners in the Haguenau region are organizing to help us bring the spirit of Easter into homes!
#Stayhome and read our article: you will find tips to enjoy this highlight of the year even at home.
Idea # 1: Equip yourself with chocolate with the chocolate makers of Haguenau
Because the first ingredient for a successful Easter is, of course, chocolate …
The Haguenau-based chocolate shop Daniel Stoffel is making sure that "Easter this year, it's still Easter!" The shop is open Monday to Friday continuously from 9am to 15pm, with "Drive" pickup available (orders by phone or on the e-shop)... And for those of you further afield: delivery is offered throughout Alsace for orders over €50!
Visit the Stoffel chocolate shop website and their Facebook page for all the details . It's also a way to support a socially responsible company, which will donate 10% of the value of in-store purchases in chocolate to hospitals and nursing homes.
Other partners (chocolatiers, pastry shops, etc.) are also offering adjusted opening hours or services during this period: visit the City of Haguenau website for details. And if, for you, chocolate is only enjoyed with a chocolate-covered pretzel inside... La Fabrique à Bretzel has also adjusted its opening hours and offers a Drive-Thru service!
Idea # 2: Organize an egg hunt at home!
With the first weeks of quarantine, a new daily routine is being established within families …
Break the routine : now that you're stocked up on chocolate, organize your Easter egg hunt; at home!
A fun activity that will relax everyone, and which can lead to all sorts of playful little challenges . For example: be the first to find THE chocolate Sandhaase in the house ! (Sandhaase: sand rabbit in Alsatian and nickname for the people of Haguenau…).
And with a bit of luck, if you hide your eggs well in all the nooks and crannies of your apartment or house … you might find some until Christmas 😉.
Idea # 3: Bring the Easter spirit home!
You have to make do with what you have , of course, but with a little imagination, nothing prevents you from recreating Alsatian Easter traditions at home ! Why not try making an imitation Easter tree with whatever you have lying around in your drawers or by completely recycling your Christmas decorations ? Or, if you have a Lamele mold made of Soufflenheim pottery , why not try making this traditional cake? (For the recipe, visit the Mon week-end en Alsace blog ).
Our colleague Lauriane suggests another rather original idea: "At home, at Easter, the tradition is to make an 'Ostergärtele' : an Easter garden made of moss and small sticks found in the forest, which are then assembled so that the Easter bunny can leave chocolates there… Why not reinvent this using only things found in your garden or at home : with the lockdown, people have become inventive !"
Do you like these ideas or do you have others? Share your photos on Instagram with the hashtags #visithaguenau #easterathome!
Idea # 4: Between tales and traditions…
The festivities related to " Sandhaas Spring " have been cancelled.
But the City of Haguenau is creating a " Digital Sandhaas Spring " as a replacement: a program of online activities and publications to entertain the whole family!
Visit the Sortir à Haguenau website and its Facebook page on April 4th and 5th to make sure you don't miss anything: including several Easter stories presented by the Tourist Office and Maddy Jacquot , a volunteer guide and storyteller. Perfect for delighting children and letting their imaginations soar!
Finally, because it's an important tradition for many , please note that the Basilica of Marienthal plans to allow those who wish to collect palm branches once the lockdown period is over. These will be blessed during Palm Sunday Mass (not open to the public) and then stored until they can be distributed. A great idea that will please those of you who asked us about it!
We hope that these ideas and delicacies will brighten up your homes!