Photo: Crafts by Belen

In the past, the humble graduation hat was merely part of the customary and ceremonial “cap and gown” ensemble.  Today, however, it has been transformed into a canvas for crafty graduates looking to show off their amazing crafting skills and go out with a bang. Ceremonies are made all the brighter and more entertaining thanks to the crafty grads' premeditated graduation cap ideas—which include clever, comical, and creative designs.

This collection of quirky caps ranges in style, concept, and inspiration. Many reference pop culture staples spanning well-known films, iconic television shows, and beloved childhood cartoon characters. On the opposite side of the spectrum, some convey political and social undertones with inspirational graduation quotes. Still, a large portion of these caps simply act as “thank you” notes to those who made it all possible: friends, family, and, of course, coffee.

In the last couple of years, with politics seeming to seep into every aspect of life, there has been a surge in political activism shining through graduates’ crafted caps. Students who are immigrants or whose parents have migrated from another country are proudly expressing how their family’s dreams are coming to fruition. Many people migrate to another country in order to lead a better life for their families, and education is one of the many privileges they seek out. As a result, these accessories are more than fancy headgear to them—they’re a symbol of success and a platform to show pride in their accomplishments.

Scroll down to see 65 graduation cap ideas.

We've selected some of the best graduation cap decoration ideas.

Inspiring Graduation Caps

“On to the next chapter.”

Photo: holacrafty

“We must go on and take the adventure that comes to us.”

Photo: Amy Ferguson

“Where life plants you, bloom with grace.” 

Photo: Grad Caps by Breezy

“She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them.”

Photo: naatscreations

“Mommy did it.”

Photo: baileyshea.jpg

“She came, she saw, she conquered!”

Photo: Tyla Made It!

“I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it.”

Photo: creativitay_

“I'm a savage, classy, bougie, graduate.”

Photo: Krafted Swell

“I'm standing here today because you helped me fund my way.”

Photo: designsbyyerallin

“My future is booked.”

Photo: craftshleyco

“Oh, the places you'll go.”

Photo: randpajoescandycompany

“Adventure is out there.”

Photo: foreverpetalsbyvee

“You can find me in New York City.”

Photo: knsiemering

“Next stop the academy.”

Photo: allaboutawallflower

“Rose to the occasion.”

Photo: jennifer.maker

“Don't touch my crown.”

Photo: jewels.creationz

“And so the adventure begins.”

Photo: Amber

“Do better better.”

Photo: Lauren Law

Movie and TV Show Themed Graduation Cap Ideas

The Flash: “Some things happen because we make them happen.”

Photo: allaboutawallflower

The Princes Diaries: “Me? A Graduate? Shut up!”

Photo: hofstrau

Star Wars: “Never tell me the odds.”

Photo: melissalovesdisney

The Little Mermaid: “The little graduate.”

Photo: emmaclairree.art

Disney: “No one graduates like Gaston.” 

Photo: busybusymrsb

Lion King: “Hakuna matata.”

Photo: lvoekat

The Wizard of Oz: “You've had the power all along my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”

Photo: abeauty_and_abeast_

Harry Potter: “Life opens at the close.”

Photo: bettescustoms

Mean Girls: “Get in loser, we're graduating.”

Photo: k.rosedesigns

“This does put a smile on my face.”

Photo: catzfuhdays

The Office: “Bears. Beats. Bachelors Degree.”

Photo: csuebalumni

Spongebob: “5 years later…”

Photo: kasta.art

Spongebob: “Thousands of tears later…”

Photo: Backs_People_Up

New Teachers

“Teacher in Training” 

Photo: customcouturebyemiah

“Teaching is a work of heart.”

Photo: craftshleyco

Math and Science Graduate Cap Ideas

Biology/Pharmacy: “Knowledge is one hell of a drug.” 

Photo: customcouturebyemiah

Accounting: “I've been accounting down the days.”

Photo: drashbecappin

Dentistry: “Holy molar, I flossin did it.”

Photo: Alexis Young

Biology: “When it comes to global health, there is no ‘them', only ‘us'.”

Photo: PaintItBetter

Psychology: “It's been dope, but I'm psyched to get outta here.”

Photo: studiokiera_

Psychology: “Psyched for grad school.”

Photo: uncappedcreations

Biology: “Medicine owes Black people the level of transparency and care that it renders to others.”

Photo: Bria Bowen

Funny Graduation Cap Ideas

“Ight Imma Graduate.”

Photo: studiokiera_

“My diploma runs on Dunkin'”

Photo: kimscustomcaps

“I don't even go here!”

Photo: vivsrivs

“Bye, Mr. Anderson. I'm graduating…tardy or not.”

Photo: butrflysoul

“Now hotter by one degree.”

Photo: briannedanielle_

“Hire me.”

Photo: letterbyline

“Thanks, pizza. You've stuck with me through thick and thin crust.”

Photo: whatisgoingonrightnow

“Goal digger.”

Photo: bee_creative_event_planning

“Yikes. So what now?”

Photo: simplysaavy

“Can I take a nap now?”

Photo: jayandjes.inc

“Thank u, next.”

Photo: d.i.y.holic

“Because ‘coffee' isn't a major.”

Photo: aww.sam

Immigrant Graduates

“Immigrad.”

Photo: anaextina

“Proud product of immigrants.”

Photo: meticulouscrafts

“My parents crossed the border so I could cross this stage!”

Photo: kcaguilar02

“They migrated so I graduated.”

Photo: LaVozdeAztlan

“I am my ancestors' wildest dreams.”

Photo: __killak

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.”

Photo: drea.oz

Art Graduate Cap Ideas

Design: “Interior Design.”

Photo: popwithlo

Photography: “Licensed to shoot”

Photo: le_le_lines

Masters Graduation Cap Ideas

“I mastered it to change the world one word at a time.”

Photo: Kallli June

“She believed she could, so she mastered it.”

Photo: Ana Ojeda

Graduates with Dogs

“I worked hard so my dog can have a better life.”

Photo: emsgemscreations

“I hope my dog is proud of me.”

Photo: theplannergal_19

“Because Dog Mom isn't a career.”

Photo: theredheadedcamel

Congratulations, class of 2023!

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

The 5 Best Online Resources to Learn Arts and Crafts

97-Year-Old Bursts into Tears of Joy as She Finally Gets Her High School Diploma

Learn How to Craft Your Own Lifelike Flowers With Paper and Glue

How to Make Your Own Stencils + Thousands of Free Ready-to-Use Downloads

READ: 65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads

Photo: Stock Photos from Dmytro Amanzholov/Shutterstock
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Renowned for both its experimental nature and ethereal aesthetic, resin is proving particularly popular among today's top creatives. While the compound—which can be cultivated naturally or synthetically created—has traditionally been used in polishes and varnishes, many contemporary artists and designers are finding new and inventive ways to incorporate the malleable material into their practice. Lustrous like glass but compositionally similar to plastic, resin effortlessly pairs form with functionality, resulting in an endless amount of artistic possibilities.

Here, we will learn more about this versatile medium and how you can start creating resin art, yourself. Additionally, we will take a look at an eclectic selection of resin art, from spectacular sculptural works and three-dimensional “paintings” made on unconventional canvases to twinkling jewelry and avant-garde furniture. Dazzling and diverse, this collection of crystalline art showcases the versatility and beauty of the remarkable material.

What is Resin?

Resin, or epoxy resin, is a synthetic material that can be combined with other objects to create many different types of art. The type of resin that is used in art usually begins as a viscous substance and is then cured into a rigid form. While it is a liquid resin, it can be manipulated by adding ingredients and other materials, and once it is fully cured, it is extremely durable and can withstand extreme temperatures.

Typically, it is a “thermosetting plastic” that is mixed in a ratio two parts—a methyl methacrylate liquid has a catalyst added to it which causes it to set into a transparent form. For this reason, it's sometimes referred to as AB resin.

UV resin is also a popular type of material to use for smaller objects. Unlike AB resin, this form of it is solar activated; just put it in the sun or under a UV light and it will cure in just minutes.

Resin can be removed using chemical solvents like IPA, or isopropyl alcohol.

Photo: Stock Photos from Velimir Isaevich/Shutterstock

Resin Art Supplies

Resin is rarely used by itself. In art, it typically has components added like pigment powder to create a colorful hue, or it's used to encase objects such as dried leaves, flowers, sand, or small charms. Here are the general supplies you'll need to get started (although your tools might change based on your project):

• Epoxy or Casting Resin — There are different types of resin available on the market, but you’ll want to look for one that that has “epoxy” or “casting resin” on the label. They will come in packs of two; one will be a catalyst that creates the chemical reaction to harden the resin. (Try these highly rated resins that are geared towards artists: Art ‘N Glow’s Clear Casting and Coating Epoxy Resin; ArtResin’s Clear Epoxy Resin; and Clear Castin Resin with Catalyst)
• UV Resin — If you're interested in using solar-activated resin, crafters swear by DecorRom's non-toxic formula.
• Epoxy Resin Pigment — Want to add some color to your creations? DecorRom sells a set of 23 color pigments that are made for different types of epoxy resin.
• Disposable Cups — You will have to mix your two-part resin together, and you will want to do so in a disposable container. This set of clear plastic cups has graduated markings on the side.
• Wood Sticks — Mixing epoxy resin is a science. You’ll also want a set of wood sticks for stirring.
• Disposable Gloves — Again, since you’re dealing with chemicals, you’ll want to protect yourself the best you can. Invest in a pair of latex gloves to keep your hands safe.

How to Make Epoxy Resin Art and Jewelry

Photo: Stock Photos from Halina Savitskaya/Shutterstock

If you’re just beginning to make your own resin art, it’s best to start on a small scale. Jewelry, for instance, is something that’s easy to manage while still having a lot of creative possibilities. You can use different shapes of pendants, insert dried flowers or charms, and infuse them with a variety of colors.

Don’t know where to start? Check out these helpful YouTube tutorials that show you how to make your own resin art and jewelry with easy-to-follow instructions. You'll want to make sure you have a good work surface before you get started.

Top Tips and Tricks to Create Resin Art for Beginners

Artist Sheri Vegas offers some of her top tips for anyone wanting to make resin art; it's a great video if you're a complete beginner because it introduces you to the very basic techniques and materials needed.

Dried Flowers in Resin by Garden Answers

This DIY shows how to incorporate dried flowers into a half circle mold to create your own paper-weight or art object.

DIY Aquarium by jedrek29t

In this tutorial, maker jedrek29t shows the meticulous steps he took to create a dazzling aquarium scene from resin.

How to Make 12 Resin Rings by NerdEcrafter

Making resin rings is easier than you think. NerdEcrafter shares how to create 12 different rings using the same process.

Resin Pendant Jewelry Tutorial by Keepsake Crafts

Sandy Huntress of Keepsake Crafts demonstrates how to use UV Resin to create pendants with preserved flowers in them.

How to Make a Secret Wood Pendant Necklace by Ben's Worx

In this six-minute video, Ben's Worx shares how to make a pendant using resin and wood.

21 Clay and Resin DIYs by 5-Minute Crafts

Once you've got some experience using resin, get more inspiration for creative products when you watch this video. It demonstrates a step-by-step process but doesn't offer a detailed explanation of each action taken.

Create a Resin Geode by Taryn TrueArt

Learn how to incorporate glitter and pigments into one stunning geode resin.

Fairy Pendants Made From Dried Plants and Epoxy Resin by Maria Aprelskaya

Here's another video to save once you've gotten more comfortable with making your own resin jewelry. The compilation offers great inspiration by doesn't articulate any steps taken. Instead, it simply shows you Aprelskaya's process.

Resin Art Books

If you prefer a source you can refer back to at your own pace, then consider picking up one of these books on resin art. Some of these texts will provide great insight into starting resin jewelry, while others elaborate on essential techniques. There are also guides on how to do woodturning with epoxy resin.

Examples of Resin Jewelry

Dreamy Landscape Pendants by Wood All Good

Photo: Wood All Good

Photo: Wood All Good

Photo: Wood All Good

Year-Round Rings by Secret Wood

Photo: Secret Wood

Photo: Secret Wood

Photo: Secret Wood

Photo: Secret Wood

Shoreline Necklaces by Britta Boeckmann

Photo: Britta Boeckmann

Photo: Britta Boeckmann

Photo: Britta Boeckmann

Fine Art Bangles by PAGANE Uniques

Photo: PAGANE Uniques

Photo: PAGANE Uniques

Photo: PAGANE Uniques

Glistening Gold-Flecked Bands by Daimblond

Photo: Daimblond

Photo: Daimblond

Crescent Moon Medallions by Luna Flora Designs

Photo: Luna Flora Designs

Photo: Luna Flora Designs

Photo: Luna Flora Designs

Mermaid Tail Necklaces by L'Atelier de Lizzie

Photo: L'Atelier de Lizzie

Photo: L'Atelier de Lizzie

Photo: L'Atelier de Lizzie

Space-y Statement Pieces by I Sew Cute

Photo: I Sew Cute

Photo: I Sew Cute

Photo: I Sew Cute

“Fiery” Necklaces by ArtbyAelia

Photo: ArtbyAelia

Photo: ArtbyAelia

Examples of Resin Furniture

Oceanic Tables by Alexandre Chapelin of LA TABLE

Photo: Alexandre Chapelin

Photo: Alexandre Chapelin

Photo: Alexandre Chapelin

Salvaged Stools by Hattern

Photo: Hattern

Photo: Hattern

Swirling Dining Room Table by Bich Nguyen

Photo: Bich Nguyen

Photo: Bich Nguyen

Kintsugi With a Twist by Tatiane Freitas

Photo: Tatiane Freitas

Photo: Tatiane Freitas

Photo: Tatiane Freitas

Rocket Coffee Table by Stelios Mousarris

Photo: Stelios Mousarris

Photo: Stelios Mousarris

Natural Wood Lamps by Iluka London

Photo: Iluka London

Photo: Iluka London

Photo: Iluka London

Examples of Resin Sculpture

Worlds Within Whales by Isana Yamada

Photo: Isana Yamada

Photo: Isana Yamada

Photo: Isana Yamada

Enchanting Mushrooms by Yukio Takano

Photo: Yukio Takano

Photo: Yukio Takano

Photo: Yukio Takano

Splashing Sculptures by Annaluigia Boeretto

Photo: Annaluigia Boeretto

Photo: Annaluigia Boeretto

Photo: Annaluigia Boeretto

Sculpted Vibrations by Loris Cecchini

Photo: Loris Cecchini

Photo: Loris Cecchini

Photo: Loris Cecchini

Enlightening Book Wheels by Jonathan Whitfill

Photo: Jonathan Whitfill

Photo: Jonathan Whitfill

Photo: Jonathan Whitfill

Lava Block by Deranged Donkey

Photo: Deranged Donkey

Photo: Deranged Donkey

Dragon Eyes by Stefano Prina

Photo: Stefano Prina

Photo: Stefano Prina

Photo: Stefano Prina

Photo: Stefano Prina

Gravity-Defying Flowers by Oodesign

Photo: Oodesign

Photo: Oodesign

Photo: Oodesign

Examples of Resin Painting

Psychedelic Panels by Bruce Riley

Photo: Bruce Riley

Photo: Bruce Riley

Photo: Bruce Riley

Goldfish Bowls by Riusuke Fukahori

Photo: Riusuke Fukahori

Photo: Riusuke Fukahori

Photo: Riusuke Fukahori

Dazzling Dragons by Lillian Lee

Photo: Lillian Lee

Photo: Lillian Lee

Photo: Lillian Lee

Female Portraits by Jessica Dunegan

Photo: Jessica Dunegan

Photo: Jessica Dunegan

Photo: Jessica Dunegan

Frequently Asked Questions

Does resin break easily?

Once the resin is fully cured, it should be highly durable and can withstand extreme temperatures, and does not rust or corrode.

What is resin artwork?

Resin artwork is jewelry, sculpture, furniture, and paintings made with epoxy or casting resin.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

20+ Pieces of Nature-Inspired Furniture That Creatively Capture Earth’s Beauty

20 Pieces of Jewelry Inspired by Earth’s Natural Wonders

15+ Times Artists Fixed Broken Objects and Made Them Better Than Before

Explore the Creative Possibilities of Alcohol Ink in This How-to Guide for Beginners

READ: What Is Resin Art? Learn About This Versatile Medium

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Looking for a way to lighten the mood? If so, you're in luck! Thanks to these unique rainbow gift ideas, you can add a drop of sunshine to any situation. Rainbows aren't just for kids and they aren't just for celebrating pride—though many of these make the perfect gifts for both. Rainbow enthusiasts of all ages will appreciate these thoughtful items that celebrate the colorful world that we live in.

Some—like the polychromic pencils, rainbow socks, and fun floral tattoos—creatively reimagine the phenomenon's familiar color scheme. Others—including the sapphire hoop earrings, striking stained glass, and the emotion floor pillow—artistically incorporate the phenomenon's distinctive arch shape.

No matter how the radiance of the rainbow is interpreted, however, these multi-colored must-haves are guaranteed to brighten your day. From rainbow jewelry to cute home decor to colorful toys, check out 20 handpicked items that make perfect rainbow gifts.

Come rain or shine, these colorful rainbow gifts will add some dazzle to your daily life.

Rainbow Pencils

Duncan Shotton | $15.00

Geometric Rainbow Socks

Hider House Shop | $21.96

Hanging Planter

Fun Succulents | $26.34+

LEGO Brick Rainbow Puzzle

Firebox | $20.99

Color Wheel Umbrella

meizhouer | $25.99

Spectacular Stained Glass

ColinAdrianGlass | $183

Solar-Powered Rainbowmaker with Crystal

Kikkerland Design | $34.95

Color Wheel Pendant

Yellow Owl Workshop | $26.50

Colorful Temporary Tattoos

Tattly | $15

Animal Prints

OlechkaDesign | $46.97+

The Rainbow Atlas

Chronicle Books | $30

Sapphire Rainbow Hoop Earrings

Linhan Zhang Jewelry | $112.24+

Rainbow Cloud Bath Bomb

SpaAlchemy | $12.38

Colorful Flower Choker

Urban Outfitters | $30

540-Color 3D Globe Puzzle

Uncommon Goods | $70

World Map Wall Tapestry

Mark Ashkenazi | $43.99+

Multicolored Mug

RyabaVoshCeramics | $35.38+

Macrame Car Charms

Miss Your Dream | $15.88

Rainbow Dangle Earrings

ModCloth | $47

Emotion Floor Pillow

Bumble B | $89

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

Discarded Skateboards Are Given New Life as Colorful Creative Products

Rainbow Ceramics Evoke Feelings of Happiness and Childhood Nostalgia

Rainbow Macramé Wall Hangings Dazzle With Intricate Knots of All Kinds

Giant Weavings Are a Mesmerizing Combination of Rainbow Hues and Touchable Textures

READ: 20 Polychromatic Products Inspired by Rainbows

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, you may have already picked out the perfect card or present for mom. But in addition to your own mother, don't forget the other leading lady in your life: grandma!

In this selection of Mother's Day gift ideas, you'll find all kinds of high-quality goodies guaranteed to bring a smile to grandma's face. From items with a personalized touch—like decorated coffee cups and cutting boards customized with a favorite recipe—these presents celebrate the matriarch of the family in a variety of ways. For instance, you can add your grandma's name to different items to make the present feel extra special.

Other ideas for unique Mother's Day gifts for grandma include pieces of jewelry that she will treasure for years to come. We've picked out a dazzling birthstone necklace and a silver pendant to which you can add the names of children and grandchildren. And some items, like the blooming tea, quirky brooches, and pretty soap, simply encourage her to enjoy her special day.

No matter which present path you take, grandma is sure to fall in love! Scroll down to find the perfect Mother's Day gift for grandma.

Show grandma that you care with these heartfelt Mother's Day gifts.

Personalized Mug

DigitalPlusStudio | $15.59+

Birthstone Cluster Necklace

MignonandMignon $17.50+

Customized Cutting Board

KustomProducts | $46.50+

Glass Tea Pot

porcelainTEA | $65

Personalized Family Tree Print With Frame

TheModishHome | $137+

Birth Month Flower Scarf

Juliet Meeks | $52

“Best Grandma Ever” Spoon

andthenagaindesigns | $21.61

Personalized Wind Chimes

WoodByStu | $29.50

Personalized Grandma Mug

MintChocolateDesigns | $14.02+

Grandma Silver Necklace

LymGifts | $42.90+

Calming Lavender Heat Pillow

UncommonGoods | $38

Soy Candle

ariabellacandles | $21.60

Hand-Embroidered State Pillows

Carmel & Terrel Swan | $255

“My Favorite People Call Me Grandma” Dishtowel

LarissaMadeThis | $14.99+

Glass House Bird Feeder

Erica and Steven Moore | $69

Grandmother Definition Print

PrintablePosterStore | $4.56

Box of Flowers Soaps

Heather Swanepoel | $32

Wildflowers Night Light

Kristi Thorndike-Kent | $38

Shades of Blue Layered Bracelet

Dana Pearson | $49

Fell Asleep Here Magnetic Bookmark

Jaime Esslinger and Michael Smith | $22

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

27 DIY Gifts You Can Actually Make for Your Mom This Mother’s Day

30 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts for New Moms

46 Fun Gifts for Tea Lovers With a Unique Taste for Creativity

READ: 20 Gifts Guaranteed to Make Grandma Smile This Mother’s Day

Photo: Stock Photos from Svitlana-ua/Shutterstock

Happy Easter! As you hop into the holiday spirit, you may find yourself embracing a tradition or two, whether you're filling a basket with fake grass and fun goodies or dyeing a dozen hard-boiled eggs. While you may not think twice about these seemingly silly activities, they're actually age-old practices packed with history, springing from ancient rituals, medieval folklore, and more modern incarnations.

Want to learn more about Easter and its technicolor traditions? Before we take a stroll through the holiday's history, it's important to understand its origins—both in spirit and in name.

What is Easter?

Domenico Pagliarolo, “Resurrection, in an initial A,” Last quarter of the 15th century (Photo: Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)

Easter is Christianity's oldest festival. According to the religion's core belief, Jesus Christ—the son of God who was born to the Virgin Mary on December 25, Christmas Day—rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is believed to have occurred on a Sunday, the third day after his crucifixion and subsequent burial.

In the Christian faith, this Sunday—now known for centuries as Easter Sunday—is the most important day on the liturgical calendar.

Egg-cellent Etymology

Johannes Gehrts, “Ostara, 1901 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The word Easter derives from the Old English Eosturmonath. According to Saint Bede, a Benedictine monk born in the 7th century, this term means “Month of Ēostre,” with Eostre being an ancient Germanic goddess of fertility, spring, and renewal.

By Saint Bede's time, however, “Month of Ēostre” denoted “Paschal season.” Paschal describes a relationship to Passover or Easter Sunday, which are both observed in March or April—though, when referenced by Saint Bede, this “Month of Ēostre,” exclusively referred to April.

Why is Easter historically associated with April? Unlike most other holidays that fall on the same date each year, Easter is based on the lunar calendar. Specifically, it is held on the first Sunday that follows the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. This also means that Lent—the liturgical season that commences with Ash Wednesday and comes to a close 40 days later on Easter Sunday—encompasses different dates each year.

Technicolor Traditions

Photo: Stock Photos from galsand/Shutterstock

Since Easter refers to the day that Jesus Christ is believed to have been resurrected, you may be wondering why it occurs according to the moon. While Easter emerged as a Christian holiday in the 2nd century, its origins go back even further. In fact, Easter's traditions can be traced back to cultures that predate Jesus himself.

Dyed Eggs

Photo: Stock Photos from Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock

Dipping eggs in dye has become an Easter staple. Like many mainstream holiday traditions—including trick-or-treating on Halloween or playing pranks on April Fools' Day—this pastime has pagan roots.

In ancient times, equinoxes and solstices were seen as sacred times. The spring solstice, specifically, was celebrated for putting an end to winter's cold and ushering in a time of rebirth. In Pagan spring festivals—celebrating the goddess of Earth, Eostre—unhatched eggs were used to symbolize new life. This concept was adapted by the Christians in Easter's early years.

“Eggs, as a symbol of new life, became a common people's explanation of the resurrection,” Carole Cusack, a professor at the University of Sydney, explains, “after the chill of the winter months, nature was coming to life again.”

Centuries later, medieval people would build upon this model. Following mass on Easter Sunday, they would feast on decorated eggs, a symbolic snack that doubled as a means to mark the end of Lenten fasting.

Today, people keep this age-old tradition alive by dyeing eggs that have been boiled or blown—and munching on replicas made out of chocolate.

Woven Baskets

Photo: Stock Photos from PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock

Whether laid by a chicken or made by confectioners, Easter eggs are traditionally placed in pretty pastel baskets. This custom is also based on pagan ritual, as, according to Saint Bede, the Germanic goddess Ēostre was known for carrying around a basket filled with—what else?— eggs. Worshippers would also place their offerings to Ēostre in baskets.

Over a millennium later, the Germanic people would revisit this ancient lore when they created an early version of the Easter basket. Intended to look like nests, these baskets were crafted with a very special visitor in mind: Osterhase, an early ancestor of the Easter Bunny.

A Visiting Rabbit

Photo: Stock Photos from Ramona Heim/Shutterstock

According to Germanic legend, the Osterhase—an egg-laying hare—would visit children's homes on the eve of Easter. Using their bonnets, children would craft makeshift “nests” for the hare to fill with colorful eggs. Eventually, the creature's gift-giving habits evolved, and candies, chocolates, and trinkets were added to the mix.

Why was a hare selected to serve as this special visitor? The answer, again, is rooted in spring symbolism, as rabbits and hares traditionally represent fertility.

Egg Games

Photo: RRRmmm22/Depositphotos

The Easter holiday is also associated with many games for kids, most of which incorporate decorated eggs.

An Easter egg hunt is among the most popular, during which children must find dyed eggs, chocolate eggs, or fake eggs filled with candy hidden in different locations.

President Barack Obama hosting the Easter Egg Roll at the White House in 2009. (Photo: Pete Souza via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Another popular game is egg rolling. Originating in Europe, this game was played by children who rolled eggs downhill. Today, the Easter Egg Roll is also a well-known event that is held at the White House every year, wherein children must guide an egg through the grass with a spoon.

The Holiday Today

Photo: Stock Photos from Barbara Neveu/Shutterstock

Today, Easter is celebrated around the world. True to its roots, it is typically regarded as both a religious holiday and a celebration of spring. Born out of its blended history, this allows the holiday to simultaneously serve as Christianity's most important festival and as a fun pastime for children—a balance that has allowed Easter to blossom into the “hoppy” holiday it is today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Easter based on a pagan holiday?

Yes, the word Easter derives from the Old English Eosturmonath, which translates to the month of Eostre—who was a pagan spring goddess of renewal. In these pagan festivals, unhatched eggs were used to symbolize new life. This concept was adapted by the Christians in Easter's early years.

Why do we celebrate Easter with eggs?

In pagan spring festivals, unhatched eggs were used to symbolize new life. This concept was adapted by the Christians in Easter's early years.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles

Curious Bruegel Painting Contrasts the Solemn Nature of Lent With the Fun and Folly of Mardi Gras

A Light-Hearted History of April Fools’ Day, an Unofficial Holiday Celebrated Around the World

Groundhog Day: An Age-Old Tradition Rooted in Fun and Folklore

A “Wee” History of the Leprechaun, a Legendary Character From Irish Folklore

READ: Hop Into Easter With This Egg-cellent History of the Holiday

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

When you were younger, you likely wished your mom a Happy Mother's Day with a homemade gift or handcrafted card. Often adorned with painted handprints or paste-covered macaroni, these thoughtful presents let your mom know how much you care. Inspired by this personal approach, we've put together a selection of DIY kits that will send your mom a message from your heart (and hands) this Mother's Day.

Some of these do-it-yourself sets put a crafty spin on Mother's Day staples like bouquets, soaps, and sweets. Using self-care as inspiration, you can craft a great gift that will fit perfectly with your mom's lifestyle. Maybe you'll even convince her to take more time for herself because she deserves it.

Other kits are a bit more unconventional, ranging from a concrete planter that shows off your tough side to a tiny crocheted duckling that reminds her you'll always be her baby. You can add an extra personal touch to these projects by using your mom's favorite colors, making her want to incorporate the piece into her home decor as a special reminder. Even if you're short on time, many of these picks make for great last-minute gifts.

No matter which gift you go for, you're guaranteed to tug at your mom's heartstrings with these handmade Mother's Day presents. Scroll down to find the perfect gift for your mama.

Make mom's big day even more memorable with these DIY Mother's Day gift ideas.

Fragrant Soap Made With Mom's Favorite Scent

NaturesUniqueDeals | $34.99

DIY Mason Jar Sconces

Infinite Abyss | $39

Espadrilles Kit

Tipu and Tapu | $43.82

Cat Brooch

Hawthorn Handmade | $16.72+

Felt Flower DIY Gift

thehandmadeflorist | $34.21

Crocheted Duckling Craft

LittleConkers | $18.71+

Floral Embroidery Hoop

Oh Sew Bootiful | $27.50

Chunky Knit Blanket Kit

Becozi | $89.10

Sunflower String Art Kit

String of the Art | $64.95

Macrame Plant Hanger

Cotonoux | $14.19+

Cockatoo Scarf Knitting Pattern

Nina Führer | $6.72

Lip Balm Making Kit

UrbanKangaroo | $34.95

Cement Planter Crafting Kit

Bellsandwhistlesmake | $35.50

Cheese Making Kit

UrbanCheesecraft | $62

Stamped Cookies

StompStamps | $21.95+

Flower Press Kit

TexturesFactory | $47

Mother's Day Needlepoint Pattern

readbeardesign | $5.18

A DIY Llama Tutorial for Your Mama

Kiriki Press | $20

Chocolate Truffle Making Kit

CreateYourselfDIY | $38.64

Paint-by-Number Kit Wall Art

Elle Crée | $34

Lavender and Vanilla Candle Making Kit

TheHobbyistBox | $36.99+

Solar Printing Kit

ElementalLeaf | $17.50+

DIY Jewelry Kit

nloiscrafts | $8.50

DIY Photo Album

HeilsaDiySupply | $27.27+

Pretzel Baking Kit

roxsbagelbox | $27.90+

Punch Needle Yarn Mug Rug Coaster Kit

PunchyStuff | $29.99+

Paracord Keychain Keepsake

ManifoldWitness | $17

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

Learn How to Craft Your Own Lifelike Flowers With Paper and Glue

3 Easy Steps to Brighten Your Home With a DIY Terrarium

82 Fun Gifts for the Creative People in Your Life

26 Seasonal Gifts to Get You in the Springtime Spirit

READ: 27 DIY Gifts You Can Actually Make for Your Mom This Mother’s Day

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

New moms are used to marking milestones. From the first giggle to the first step, first-time moms are constantly celebrating their babies' achievements. If you know a new mom, make sure she doesn't forget another important inaugural event: her first Mother's Day.

In this selection of first Mother's Day gift ideas, you'll find a perfect pairing of practical and sentimental products. Some—like the “survival kit” and quirky coffee cups—assist new moms as they navigate through their sleep-deprived schedules. Others—like the thumbprint pendant and family portrait—make the holiday as personal as possible. And some—including the treasure boxes and time capsules—make it easier for moms to immortalize their babies' most memorable moments.

Motherhood can be all-encompassing, and so it's easy for the new mama in your life to forget how important it is take care of herself. That's why we've also included some thoughtful self-care items. These include monthly subscription boxes full of goodies as well as spa essentials for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

In addition to the new mom in your life, make sure you also celebrate your own! Make your mom's day with a homemade creation or other creative gifts for Mother's Day.

These thoughtful gifts are the perfect way to celebrate new moms on their first  Mother's Day.

Thumbprint Pendant

GracePersonalized | $56.36+

Mommy Mug 

Cuteling | $23.38+

Personalized Photo Collage

Minted | $29+

Plaster Footprint and Handprint Kit

Bubzi CO | $22.95

Mindfulness Manual

Anne Marie O'Connor | $16.99

Mom Belt Bag with Built-In Changing Pad

Kibou | $98

Comfortable Cotton Robe

Reverie | $65

Baby Keepsake Library

Uncommon Goods | $95+

‘Do Not Disturb' Sign

Coastal Ember | $23.17

Personalized Baby Photo Album

Kerri Lee | $60

‘Mama Bear' Bracelet

Annie Reh Jewelry | $45.14+

Birth Month Flower Lounge Pants

Juliet Meeks | $48

First Mother's Day Matching Outfits

T Stars | $18.95+

Therapeutic Heat Pillow

Claudia Phillips | $32

Baby Cookbook

Leena Saini | $19.99

Dead Sea Salt Bath Soak

The Honest Company | $13.99

Illustrated Family Portrait

Mary and Shelly Klein | $85+

Baby and Toddler To-Do Cards

Dave Oswell | $20

Baby's Name Necklace

GracePersonalized | $41.85+

‘Letters to My Baby'

Lea Redmond | $11.70

Mom & Me Coffee Mug

Colleen Huth | $30

New Baby Crest

Patricia Carlin | $130

Baby's Birthstone Necklace

delezhen | $39.97+

Keepsake Boxes

Kerri Lee | $125

Personalized Mom Candle Spa Set

Endless Aster | $35.62+

New Mom 5-Year Journal

Potter Gift | $11.65

Pampering Spa Gift Basket

Beets and Apples | $31.99

Looking for a long-lasting gift? These subscription boxes give new moms a monthly treat.

Cater to Mom Subscription Box

Cater to Mom | $37.39+ per month

Self-Care Subscription Box

TheraBox | $35+ per month

Mega Mommy Subscription Box

Boxy Momma | $50+ per month

Need more options? Check out the My Modern Met Store‘s custom selection of gifts for mom.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

15 Personalized Mother’s Day Gifts to Celebrate Mom

27 Artsy Mother’s Day Cards Offering Creatively Sweet Sentiments

9 Best Online Shops for Mother’s Day Discounts and Affordable Gifts

10 Online Flower Shops Making It Easy To Send Beautiful Blooms for Mother’s Day

READ: 30 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts for New Moms

Caspar David Friedrich, ‘Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog,' ca. 1818 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

Throughout art history, many major art movements emerged in response to existing artistic approaches. Pre-Raphaelite painting, for example, was born out of a dislike of the Renaissance, while Rococo artists built upon the opulence of Baroque art. Though this phenomenon has manifested time and time again, it reached a peak with the onset of Romanticism, an early 19th-century movement that rejected the formality of Neoclassicism and, instead, embraced emotion.

Today, the Romantic genre is mostly associated with large-scale paintings. However, the movement influenced several disciplines and branches of study, culminating in a legacy evident in the visual arts and beyond.

What was the Romantic Period?

Eugène Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People,” 1830 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

Romanticism was a cultural movement that emerged around 1780. Until its onset, Neoclassicism dominated 18th-century European art, typified by a focus on classical subject matter, an interest in aesthetic austerity, and ideas in line with the Enlightenment, an intellectual, philosophical, and literary movement that placed emphasis on the individual.

While Romantic figures agreed with the Enlightenment's interest in individualism, they steered away from its rationalism. Their approach diverged greatly from the Neoclassicists, who were known for their didactic history painting. Instead of looking back to classical models, artists like Joseph Mallord William Turner, Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Francisco Goya, and Caspar David Friedrich found inspiration in their own imaginations. This introspective approach lent itself to an art form that predominantly explored the spiritual side of humanity, the sublimity of nature, and, above all else, the fruits of personal freedom.

“If by ‘romanticism' one means the free manifestation of my personal impulses, distancing myself from the rules set in schools, and my distaste for the recipes of the academy,” Delacroix famously remarked, “I must confess that not only am I a romantic, I was from the age of 15.”

Romantic Paintings

“Wreckers, Coast of Northumberland,” c. 1834 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

In general, Romantic artists worked in one medium: paint. Specifically, in the movement's early years, these figures predominantly focused on landscape painting. The Romantic landscape genre was primarily pioneered by JMW Turner, a British oil painter, watercolorist, and printmaker. Early in his career, Turner was associated with the Neoclassical movement, but a trip to the Swiss countryside sparked an artistic interest in nature, which materialized as an imaginative and untraditional approach to painting.

“A master of history, landscape and marine painting, he challenged the style of the old masters, trailblazing in technique and subject matter,” the Tate Britain explains. “Turner often shocked his contemporaries with his loose brushwork and vibrant color palette while portraying the development of the modern world unlike any other artist at the time.”

Turner's emotion-driven style paved the way for other artists, including John Constable and Caspar David Friedrich, whose powerful paintings explore the relationship between human beings and their sublime surroundings. However, Turner's work also inspired Romantics who didn't specialize in landscapes, like French artists Eugène Delacroix and Theodore Gericault. Like Turner, these figures employed expressive brushwork to heighten the drama of their action-packed paintings, including Liberty Leading the People and The Raft of the Medusa, respectively.

By focusing on emotion and the free expression of the artist, the Romantic Era allowed these painters to break free from the classical rules of art. The idea that an artist was a genius who could produce art “from nothing” using just their own creative thinking was of paramount importance to Romanticism. This concept was best summed up by poet and critic Charles Baudelaire, who wrote in 1846, “Romanticism is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor in exact truth, but in a way of feeling.”

Other Disciplines

Stock Photos from Martin Sun/Shutterstock

While most Romantics stuck to painting, some dabbled in sculpture. Among the most well-known of these artists is François Rude, a French sculptor who crafted Le Marseillaise, a group of reliefs on Paris' Arc de Triomphe. However, aside from painting, Romanticism found most of its success beyond the visual arts.

Some of the 18th and 19th century's most well-known composers worked in the Romantic style. These include Ludwig van Beethoven, who also worked in the preceding Classical period, as well as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Franz Liszt, and Richard Wagner. Similarly, Romantic interests flourished in the field of literature, particularly in poetry. English poets like William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge led the way with their sensitive written works.

The Romantic movement also touched more academic disciplines, including education and both the social and natural sciences. In any case, Romanticism challenged leading intellectual ideas of the time, culminating in a period unlike any other. “There was something pioneering—almost revolutionary— about Romanticism,” the National Trust says. “It involved breaking with the past, and consciously moving away from the ideas and traditions of the Enlightenment. In so doing, Romanticism fundamentally changed the prevailing attitudes toward nature, emotion, reason, and even the individual.”

The Legacy of Romanticism

In the middle of the 19th century, the cycle of art history continued, and artists began reacting against the ideas associated with Romanticism. This shift in interests culminated in the emergence of Realism, a French movement that introduced the idea of average, working-class people, contemporary settings, and day-to-day scenes as worthy artistic subjects.

Though, at its height, the Romantic period lasted no more than 50 years, the movement remains a prominent piece of art history. Today, Romantic paintings by Delacroix and Géricault are among the Louvre's most treasured masterpieces; Goya is widely considered to be the last Old Master and the first of the moderns, making him one of Spain's most important artists; and, perhaps most importantly, the Romantics' love of nature helped inspire contemporary environmentalism. After all, as Friedrich wrote in 1803, “The whole of nature breathes, peace, joy, innocence and life.”

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

How the Groundbreaking Realism Movement Revolutionized Art History

How Naturalism Art Moved Beyond Idealism To Capture Life’s True Details

Symbolism: A Meaningful Approach to Turn-Of-The-Century Poetry and Painting

Art Nouveau: The Ornate Architectural Style That Defined the Early 20th Century

READ: Romanticism: An Art Movement That Emphasized Emotion and Turned to the Sublime

“Self-Portrait” (1887) (Photo: The Art Institute of Chicago via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The work of Vincent van Gogh is among the most recognizable art in the world. Completed in the second half of the 19th century, the Post-Impressionist‘s collection of drawings and paintings illustrates his artistic interests and the evolution of his practice.

While Van Gogh found a significant amount of fame posthumously, his life was not as untroubled as his characteristically colorful canvases would suggest. From financial struggles to his failing mental health, Van Gogh faced many personal challenges during his career. Eventually, the weight of these problems would lead the artist to take his own life, making his now-beloved body of work particularly poignant.

Today, Van Gogh is known for the distinctive style of his popular paintings. Defined by thick, painterly brushstrokes and a bright color palette, these luminous landscapes, expressive portraits, and lively still lifes have come to represent the artist. However, Van Gogh's work did not always feature this familiar aesthetic. Instead, it was shaped over time, evolving with each phase of his short life.

Left: “The Cottage” (1885) (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Right: “Thatched Cottages at Cordeville” (1890) (Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Van Gogh's Evolution

Early Life

A later letter from Vincent Van Gogh to John Peter Russell showing a figure inspired by Realist artist Millet (1888) (Photo: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, the Netherlands. While he would occasionally draw as a child, his artistic talent remained largely undiscovered until he decided to pursue painting at 27 years old.

Prior to becoming an artist, Van Gogh explored a number of possible career paths. Having quit school just three years prior, his uncle secured him a job as a clerk at Goupil & Cie, an international art dealer, when he was just 16 years old. A few years later, he was transferred from offices in the Hague to London, where he visited museums regularly and became a lifelong fan of Realist artists like Jean-François Millet.

Young Adulthood

“The Potato Eaters” (1885) (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Van Gogh left his job at the firm in 1876. He worked in a school and a bookshop before unsuccessfully studying theology in Amsterdam and working as a lay preacher in Belgium. Following these stints, Van Gogh's brother, Theo van Gogh, offered to financially support him so that he could pursue art.

After relocating to the Netherlands, Van Gogh began taking art lessons from artist Anton Mauve. Inspired by Realism, he became a “peasant painter,” producing gritty depictions of life in the countryside. While Theo—now an art dealer in Paris—tried to sell these “peasant paintings,” their dark hues and unpleasant subject matter did not appeal to the French.

To remedy this, Van Gogh decided to join Theo in Paris, where he would work with artist Fernand Cormon and brighten up his palette.

“Utterly Numbed” in Paris

“View of Paris from Montmartre” (1886) (Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Exposed to the airy art of Impressionist artists like Claude Monet and introduced to fellow Paris-based painters like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh soon adopted a lighter and more colorful approach to painting. It is here that he also developed his signature brushwork.

“Café Terrace at Night” (1888) (Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Still, even with this new and modern approach, Van Gogh did not find success in the French capital. “It seems to me almost impossible to be able to work in Paris, unless you have a refuge in which to recover and regain your peace of mind and self-composure,” he wrote to Theo in 1888. “Without that, you’d be bound to get utterly numbed.”

He decided to relocate once again—this time to Arles, an idyllic city in the south of France.

The Yellow House

“The Yellow House” (1888) (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In Arles, Van Gogh's paintings became even more colorful and expressive. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and bathed in the sun, Arles seemed like an artist's paradise to Van Gogh. It was during this time that he began making some of his most famous sunflower paintings, and began demonstrating the influence of Japanese prints in his own art.

While he was there, Van Gogh also dreamt up the idea of a shared studio where he and his contemporaries could paint and rented several rooms in the “Yellow House” to serve this purpose.

“Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” (1889) (Photo: WebMuseum via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In October 1888, fellow Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin joined Van Gogh in the Yellow House, intending to collaborate. However, their working relationship was short-lived. After a string of quarrels and the contrasting intensity of their two personalities, Gauguin decided to move out. This prompted the increasingly mentally unstable Van Gogh to cut off part of his own ear with a knife.

Hospitalization

“The Starry Night” (1889) (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Van Gogh was admitted to a hospital in Arles the next morning. While he was discharged just a few days later, he recognized the state of his mental health and eventually checked himself into a mental health facility in the nearby Saint-Rémy-de-Provence commune.

While committed, he resumed his artistic practice, acquiring an extra room as an artist's studio and producing 150 paintings. Eventually, these pieces would be compiled into the Saint-Paul Asylum, Saint-Rémy series, which features important works like Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear and The Starry Night, a nocturnal landscape painted through his “iron-barred window.”

Ironically, it was during Van Gogh's hospitalization that his work began receiving some recognition: six of his paintings were exhibited in Belgium, and 10 in Paris. “Your paintings are well placed and look very well,” Theo told Vincent about his work in Paris. “Many people came up to ask me to give you their compliments. Gauguin said that your paintings are the key to the exhibition.”

Shortly after this success, Van Gogh left the hospital and moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a suburb of Paris.

Final Days

“Wheatfield with Crows” (1890) (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

During the last two months of his life, Van Gogh stayed at the Auberge Ravoux, an inn in Auvers-sur-Oise, where he produced over 80 paintings and 60 sketches. Though he seemed to be making strides as a painter, he remained plagued with financial woes, which undoubtedly contributed to his unsteady mental state.

On July 27, 1890, Van Gogh shot himself in a wheat field—the setting of his haunting final painting. He died two days later.

Legacy

A few decades after Van Gogh's death, his 850 paintings and 1,300 drawings reached international acclaim. Theo's wife Johanna helped achieve this recognition by collecting and preserving Van Gogh's numerous letters, paintings, and belongings. Today, he remains one of the most important figures in the entire history of art, celebrated for both his artistic practice and his admirable approach to life.

“If only we try to live sincerely,” he told Theo in 1878, “it will go well with us, even though we are certain to experience real sorrow, and great disappointments, and also will probably commit great faults and do wrong things, but it certainly is true, that it is better to be high-spirited, even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent. It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love, is well done.”

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

The Evolution of Picasso’s Painting Style and What Each Artistic Choice Represents

How Female Painter Mary Cassatt Became an Important Impressionist Figure

Why Post-Impressionist Painter Paul Cézanne Is Known as the “Father of Modern Art”

Van Gogh Museum Puts Nearly 1,000 Paintings and Drawings Online

Cute and Quirky Van Gogh Action Figure Comes with Tiny Detachable Ear

READ: How Vincent van Gogh’s Art Evolved During His Short Life

Photo: Stock Photos from Nastya Gor/Shutterstock

Happy April Fools' Day! Every year on April 1st, fun-loving jokesters dupe, deceive, and play pranks on others—all under the guise of honoring an unofficial holiday.

Have you ever wondered why we have a day dedicated to making mischief? Although pinpointing the exact origin of the humorous holiday is tricky, countries around the world have reveled in their own versions of April Fools' Day for centuries. Here, we sneak a peek at the history of April Fools' Day to understand how it turned into the silly celebration we know and (sometimes) love today.

What is April Fools' Day?

Photo: Stock Photos from bigjom jom/Shutterstock

April Fools' Day is a celebration that takes place annually on April 1st. On this day, people traditionally play practical jokes on each other. A typical April Fools ruse concludes with the trickster revealing their deception, usually by shouting “April Fools!”

In addition to individuals pulling pranks on one another, it is now customary for mass media to trick their audiences with large-scale hoaxes. This has become particularly popular in the age of the internet and has drawn increased attention to April Fools' Day.

A Light-Hearted History

Netherlandish (possibly Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen), “Laughing Fool,” ca. 1500(Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Due to its prevailing popularity in contemporary culture, April Fools' Day may feel like a modern phenomenon. In reality, the idea of April 1st serving as a day of silliness has existed for centuries—perhaps even extending as far back as ancient Rome.

Possible Predecessor

Jan Brueghel the Elder, “Garland of Flowers around an Allegory of Farming,” 1615 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Like other holidays (including Halloween, Valentine's Day, and even Mardi Gras), April Fools' Day is believed to have evolved from a pagan celebration. Specifically, historians have linked it to Hilaria, a series of ancient festivals honoring Cybele, the mother of the gods.

Hilaria was held for several days surrounding the vernal—or spring—equinox, with a feria stativa (or holiday) occurring on March 25. On this day, people refrained from working and instead partook in festivities, including a solemn procession and silly games. The most highly anticipated event, however, was likely the masquerade. This jovial custom of putting on disguises enabled people from all walks of life to escape everyday life's monotony and, most importantly, make mischief—a concept that would be at the core of April Fools' Day centuries later.

Plausible Origins

A colored illustration of Chanticleer and the fox, ca. 1501 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Much like the details of its possible precursor, the exact date and details of the first April Fools' Day are not known. However, historians have noted a few possibilities, including a Middle English tale, an official date change in France, and a Flemish poem.

The Canterbury Tales

A popular theory behind the emergence of April Fools' Day can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century collection of 24 stories, The Canterbury Tales (1476). In one of these chronicles, called the “Nun's Priest's Tale,” Chanticleer, a conceited cockerel, is fooled by a fox on Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two—or the 32nd of March. However, some scholars have attributed this nonsensical date to a copying error (they believe Chaucer intended the excerpt in question to read “32 days after March”) and not as a clever reference to April 1st.

The Edict of Roussillon

Another possible origin story begins with the 1564 Edict of Roussillon, an official order that declared January 1st New Year's Day in France. Prior to this proclamation, the start of the new year depended on the diocese, with a celebration lasting from March 25 through April 1 as a popular choice. Seeking consistency, Charles IX, the king of France at the time, ruled in an edict enacted in Roussillon that January 1st should be considered the start of the new year across his kingdom.

As legend has it, however, some people missed the memo. As they continued ushering in the new year in the spring, they mockingly became known as—what else?—”April Fools.”

“Refrain on errand-day / which is the first of April”

A Flemish poem written in 1561 offers a final popular explanation for April Fools' Day. In “Refrain on errand-day / which is the first of April,” a comical work by Bruges-born poet Eduard De Dene, a nobleman demands his servant complete a series of futile tasks on April 1.

Though the servant, aware that it is “Errand Day” (a holiday historians believe to be an early form of April Fools' Day), catches on, his master denies any tomfoolery and simply continues to send him on “fool's errands.”

Traditions Today

Photo: Stock Photos from niso/Shutterstock

Today, April Fools' Day materializes as different customs around the world.

In Ireland and Scotland, the Flemish idea of “fool's errands” has been adapted, culminating in a gag in which a person is asked to deliver a letter, which infinitely instructs the recipient to have the messenger bring it to someone else, and so on. In France, where the day is known as poisson d'avril, or “April Fish,” pranksters attach paper fish to the backs of unsuspecting people. In the United Kingdom and the United States, people carry on the popularized tradition of shouting “April Fool” or “April Fool's” after a successful practical joke; while, in Poland, not a single word should be taken at face value until noon.

Scotland has its own interesting traditions on April 1st. Gowk Day, or Huntigowk Day, is celebrated. Gowk is the Scottish word for cuckoo or fool and the day involves the pranks that you would come to expect. The tradition is so strong that it's been expanded into a two-day affair, with Gowk Day followed by Tallie Day. This day often involves playing pranks that involve someone's derriere, like placing a tail on them or a kick me sign.

Ultimately, while its origins and traditions may appear to blur, it's crystal clear that, to cultures around the world, April Fools' Day is no joke!

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

Hop Into Easter With This Egg-cellent History of the Holiday

Groundhog Day: An Age-Old Tradition Rooted in Fun and Folklore

What is Chinese New Year? Unraveling the History of the Enchanting Festival

A “Wee” History of the Leprechaun, a Legendary Character From Irish Folklore

READ: A Light-Hearted History of April Fools’ Day, an Unofficial Holiday Celebrated Around the World