We would go downtown and get special Easter outfits, everything from patent leather shoes, to new spring coats, hats, dressses and white gloves (late 1950s-early 1960s).
My father would get us all corsages - one year I got a "nosegay" of violets instead - purple violets in a bouquet surrounded by white lace. My mother and Oma always got orchids to wear on their coats.
We went to my mom's Italian parents' house for Easter breakfast - my grandfather made frittatas with bacon and cheese he grated himself from a big wheel.
Then we went home for a big German Easter dinner from my father's side of the family.
One of my uncles was a sales manager for a wholesale chocolate company. He collected old molds and made us special Easter chocolates. He had a wire fox terrier mold and always made a chocolate version of my dog, Topper, for me.
My father used to stop at a penny candy store on his way home from work. He would get little sacks of candy for me and my sister and would hide them and play a game of "Hot or Cold" or as he would say "Heiss oder Kalt". He did the same with our Easter eggs and baskets too!
Sweet memories... Thanks for reminding me!