My Polish Easter

Traditional Polish Easter Basket

Let me start by saying that I am neither Polish nor Catholic, but my husband was raised in a Polish Catholic home where the blessing of the Easter Basket was an annual ritual. As adults we're progressive Quakers, a religion that eschews "ritual".  It's a bit if a guilty pleasure that we take part in the annual blessing of the Easter Basket.

Easter us such a religious holiday-  Celebrating the risen Christ... But don't think about it too much... What does Jesus have to do with Dying eggs, eating chocolate bunnies, or putting Peeps in the microwave? For me, the spirit of Easter comes in the re-birth of our spirits.  It comes with spring and the awakening of the earth.  When I make Pysanky, I enjoy the meditative centering it brings me.  The scent of the melted bee's wax, the candles, the warm eggs, the colors.  It's really a delightfully centering practice... 

Part of what draws me being a "Celebration Specialist" is a love of tradition. I love marking the passage of the year with celebration. Next week, I hope to dance around a May Pole.


So here are some pictures of my Polish Easter Basket that we'll take to St Maria Goretti to be blessed by a generous priest tomorrow. 

Repost: Modern Etiquette

The fact that there is an etiquette guide to talking about your wedding on Facebook is definitely a sign of our times...


In addition to the eight tips posted on allfacebook.com, I'll add a few more...


8 Facebook Wedding Etiquette Tips


9. Don't post all the pictures from your photographer without their permission. In most cases, this is actually a violation of copyright law. Ask your photographer for some low-res watermarked files you can use.  If you talk to them, there is usually a way it can work where the photographer gets some publicity, and your friends get to see the images! You can also post the snapshots your friends and family have taken (with their permission-of course!) 


10. On Facebook as well as other places it's good to remember the advice "Praise in public, criticize in private." If you care about your relationships and your community, it's always better to take up any problems in private. With your professionals, they'll be more likely to try to fix the problem if you haven't already trashed their reputation. Of course, public praise is always nice- good karma for everyone!


11. I'd add an addendum to "Stay off line during nuptials". I think it would be fine to post "We did it!" or something equally short and to the point after the ceremony. But really, on the day of your wedding and even through your honeymoon- your focus should be on the people/person you're with- the rest of us can wait.


Remember, Facebook, Twitter and whatever is next down the pike are great tools for keeping in touch with your community.  These tools, however, are not a substitute for community.

Celebration Advice: A Long Overdue Celebration

Every now and then, I get fun, interesting questions from people who are anticipating their celebrations.  Sometimes, when I answer these questions, I think- "Wow! someone could write an advice column about parties, weddings and creating personal celebrations!" Well, the other day, I realized that perhaps, at least occasionally, I could be that person!  Don't worry, if you ask my advice, I'll never publish it without your permission!


Hey Marilee,
My nephew and his wife just moved back to Madison. They are buying a house and wanted to know how to invite people to their house warming, and what's the proper etiquette for letting people know where they are registered. They were married by a justice of the peace in TX and never had a reception, etc. So, they kind of want to combine the house warming/celebrate their marriage. They've been married a couple or more years. They got married just before she shipped out to Iraq. I'm working on them to use you as a celebration planner.

Aunt C


Dear C,
I'm so glad you wrote!

I think the first step is to be clear about what they're celebrating. It sounds like they're having a long overdue wedding reception in their new home, not really a housewarming. This should be clear at the beginning. If some guests understand they're celebrating the wedding and others think they're coming to a simple house warming, there will be some awkward moments. The guests who are celebrating the open house are likely to come with a bottle of wine or a nice candle which probably won't even be wrapped. They'll feel pretty schmucky as they watch other folks arrive with wedding gifts... talk about feeling out of the loop!

Given their circumstances, I would definitely use paper invitations. Invite guests to the celebration taking place in their first home together. Mention the wedding date and invite people to a long overdue celebration.

Gift registries should never be mentioned in the invitation- it's one of the very few firm etiquette rules. They should tell their family and closer friends where they are registered. Those people can then "spread the word" The invitations can also direct guests to a website where they can include information about many things as well as the list of registries.

I would be delighted to work with them to create a lovely celebration. It sounds like they have many things to be joyful about!

-Marilee

Repost: Hair and Dancing!

Photo Courtesy of Anda Marie Photography

I just found this great article about coordinating your hair do with your wedding entertainment! 


These are the types of details that can really make your celebration "pop".

Check out this article from Gigmasters.

Wedding Hair Wedding Planning