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Easter Customs Across Europe
The tradition of celebrating Easter has long been established in different cultures across Europe, but many countries don’t just send cards and eat chocolate eggs.
Norfolk removal company Hamiltons Removals are experts in organising domestic and commercial moves to Europe, and our friendly, knowledgeable staff make sure the whole relocation process is as smooth as possible. To help you on your way, here we look at some of the ways countries across the continent mark Easter.
France
On Good Friday, all the church bells fall silent to mark the passing of Jesus, while on Easter Sunday they ring out to mark his resurrection. The French then greet each other warmly, with hugs, to show that the celebration is under way.
In common with youngsters across the world, French children enjoy hunting for Easter eggs. They are equally likely to go searching for chocolate chicks, bunnies and bells. The commonest dish served at the meal table is a lamb dish known as l’Agneau Pascal, because in the Bible Jesus was often referred to as The Lamb of God.
Germany
Many Germans think Easter represents the start of spring, so they embark on a major home clean-up. Often they will then decorate their houses with clay bunnies, crocuses and branches hung with painted eggs. In the weeks before Easter, shops sell Osterbrot, a special bread with almonds and raisins, and it is eaten over the holiday weekend.
Another major German custom is the lighting of Easter fires in public places on the Saturday evening. They are kept burning until dawn and are often accompanied by food stalls and rides for children.
Italy
If you are thinking of moving home to Italy, you will discover many Easter traditions with religious roots. Pilgrims travel from all over the world for the Pope’s address in St Peter’s Square, Rome, while processions known as Via Crucis or Stations of the Crosstake place across the country. Stations such as churches are marked with pictures of Jesus and pilgrims say prayers at each one.
Traditional Italian Easter dishes include Torta Pasquelina, a pie in the form of a quiche which typically contains cheese and spinach, while youngsters can enjoy a rich ‘Easter Dove’ cake which is full of candied peel and almonds.
Norway
Here stores and businesses close for five days over the Easter period. This allows plenty of time for the Norwegians to stay at their mountain cabins, or enjoy a spot of cross-country skiing. They are just as likely, however, to read or watch a murder mystery.
In a tradition which is thought to date back to the 1920s, many publishers bring out new crime novels over Easter, while the TV schedules are full of whodunnits. Even milk cartons carry short mystery stories on their sides for around a fortnight.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia
A tradition common to many Eastern European countries, is for Czechs and Slovaks to decorate eggs for Easter and display them around the house.
Hamiltons Removals can help you if you are moving home to Italy, Germany, France, Norway or any other European destination. We are a Norfolk removal company, based close to the Suffolk border, arranging moves for customers from across the UK and abroad. We have years of experience in putting together packages tailored to fit your individual requirements. Follow the link above to find out more. Our international removals department can also arrange moves to countries including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Why Self-storage is a Good Investment All Year Round
Investing in self-storage facilities is something which will prove useful throughout the year, as there are a wide variety of household and business items which can safely be left depending on the season.
Hamiltons Removals, self-storage specialists with two Safe N Stored sites on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, know that space is a valuable commodity around the home or office. Here is our season-by-season guide to the type of possessions which are ideally suited to putting into self-storage.
Spring
Once the festive period is over then all the Christmas decorations and unused wrapping paper can come down. You won’t need them for many months, so why not put them into self-storage?
If you are having a major spring clean, then it becomes much easier if the rooms are as clear as possible. The same applies to major redecoration projects; you will have greater peace of mind if large furniture and fittings are safely in self-storage while you repaint any of your rooms.
Summer
Even allowing for changeable British climate, you shouldn’t need your bulkier winter clothing over the summer. If you have access to a self-storage facility, then you can move winter coats in, and take lighter summer wear out.
If you are a student who is returning home from college or university in the summer, you may need somewhere to store your items until term restarts in the autumn. If you are still living in the parental home, you may need self-storage for all the items which other members of the family have put in your room while you have been away.
Summer is also the most popular time of year for moving house. Self-storage can be useful if there is any kind of delay. You may also not be sure if you will have enough room for all your belongings in your new home, particularly if you are downsizing. Putting some items into storage will give you more time to decide what to take and what to give away or sell on.
Autumn
Once you have given your lawn the final cut of the year, the mower can easily be left in storage. You may also have other bulky gardening tools which you are unlikely to use again until the spring. Garden furniture such as patio chairs and tables can also be cleaned up and left in storage. This will protect them from damage and stop it being blown away in winter winds.
Businesses, and shops particularly, have more use for self-storage at this time of year as they get their Christmas stock in and will need somewhere to put it.
Winter
You may have friends or family staying over Christmas, so you might need to have a declutter in the weeks leading up to the festive season to make sure you have enough room for everyone. If you put your items into self-storage you can easily reclaim them once your guests have gone home. And if you are worried about your children discovering their Christmas presents in advance, ruining the occasion for them and you, why not put those into self-storage too?
Some hobbies, like surfboarding or powerboating, are usually for the warmer months only. The bulky boards and boats can easily go into storage until they are needed in spring or summer. Some motorcyclists may prefer not to use their machines on dangerous winter roads; the bikes can easily be fitted into many self-storage units too.
At Hamiltons Removals we can meet all sorts of self-storage requirements at our Safe N Stored sites for customers in Norfolk and Suffolk, including those living in the Diss, Bungay and Stradbroke areas. If you would like to know more about our personal storage facilities, follow the link above.
Our Aldeby site has a range of easily accessible containers which you can drive right up to; they are ideal for storing large individual items such as your boat or bike over the winter months. They are protected by CCTV cameras and the uniform padlocks they are fitted with allow for extra security checks.
At Harleston, we have storage rooms which start at 25 square feet and go up to 200 square feet; this means you pay for the space you need, and you can store plenty of smaller personal items and effects, including clothes. It is also protected by CCTV and the alarm is linked to Norfolk Police. There is also an on-site shop which supplies a comprehensive selection of cartons and packing materials.