Alleluia, Christ is risen! The tomb has been found empty and Christ our Lord is alive, alleluia, alleluia! May the joy and triumph of Christ’s victory fill your soul. 

Although the great celebration of Easter Sunday is behind us, as Catholics we can continue to look forward to many more weeks of celebrating. The Easter season stretches beyond even the Easter octave, the first eight days of Easter, all the way to the feast of Pentecost, the feast that marks the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and Our Lady in the Upper Room, making the Easter season a full fifty days. Continuing to celebrate and feast for over 7 weeks may feel a little daunting, but the point is not to throw 50 days of parties, but to keep the victory of Christ’s Resurrection at the front of our hearts. The joy that comes from that focus will spill into the way we live our lives. If you need a little nudge of inspiration for things to pour your overflowing joy into, hopefully this non-exhaustive list can give you a start. 

The thing my family does most often is eat, so this year we added a golden tablecloth to our kitchen table for Easter (a sheet from the thrift store can work just fine!). This visible reminder at the place we all gather reminds us (at least 3 times a day) that we are living in a special season, that we are celebrating something, and draws our minds back to the glory of Christ. It is simple and easy (except for a bit of extra laundry), but it really does make this time feel set apart. 

Another piece of décor that is perfect for the Easter season is fresh flowers. These can be anything from hand-picked wildflowers to store bought bouquets to the altar flowers from your parish (many parishes give these away after the Easter octave ends). You could put a small bunch in each room or a large bouquet in a highly visible spot. It can be no coincidence that Easter falls in such a beautiful time in nature! 

Before you gather at our golden-clad table, remember that instead of praying the Angelus, we pray the Regina Caeli during the Easter season. This joyful and triumphant Marian antiphon serves as another subtle, but daily reminder that we are no longer toiling through Lent, fruitful though that may be, but that we glorying in Christ risen from the dead! 

In the spirit of feasting, the season of Easter is the perfect time to make extra or special desserts and treats. Every day might be a bit overwhelming, but perhaps just aim to have something extra special each Sunday! 

If you have young children, this season can be all the more joyful. Almost anything can be a special excursion to a child, if you lead with a joyful attitude: “We’re making a special trip to the library to find Easter books!” “Let’s take a walk by the river and see the flowers that bloomed just in time for Easter!” 

The beautiful music of Easter does not need to be regulated only to Sundays. There are many profound renditions of traditional Easter hymns that are found easily online. You can play these throughout the day to foster an atmosphere of beauty, joy, and reverence for the mystery of the Resurrection. 

If you have a bell available, you can ring it to begin your daily prayer time (children love this!). Like the golden tablecloth, this is simply a small thing that serves as a reminder that right now, we are pulling out all the stops to elevate our days and add elements that point our minds in the direction of triumph and glory. 

Finally, bring out your baptismal candle and light it. We renewed our baptismal vows on Easter, so it is appropriate to have this reminder of your baptism in your home. You may be able to obtain last year’s paschal candle from your parish, which is beautiful and profound to have in your home. 

None of these ideas work if the motivating factor is anything but the overflow of joy that has risen in your heart and soul from Christ’s resurrection. If you find yourself struggling to make this time seem special exteriorly, focus on your interior life. Spend time meditating on the empty tomb, pray the Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, let the joy of the Regina Caeli nourish your soul. Christ does not want golden tablecloths or special desserts if our hearts are cold and dry. Turn to Him in prayer first and, in His mercy, He will fill you with His joy—a joy that you will be unable to keep hidden. May this season of Easter bring you ever closer to His side and may you experience the deep and abiding peace that His victory gives us!