Our Raspberry Rosé Jam Deserves to Be Slathered on Everything

1. "ABCs" Egg Hunt

First, if you have younger ones, you can turn your Easter egg hunt into a learning experience with an added playful challenge. All you have to do is hide 26 eggs, each of which is labeled with a different letter.

Then, give your kiddo a checklist to mark off each letter as they find it. Not only will this activity help you actually remember how many eggs you hide this year, but it'll reinforce letter recognition in a fun, hands-on way. As an extra bonus, you can even tuck a small prize inside the eggs to match their corresponding letters!

2. Color-Coded Egg Hunt

Now, if you have multiple children who battle to find all the Easter eggs each year, then you know that things can get chaotic and tense. To say goodbye to sibling squabbles, simply assign each kid a specific egg color and matching basket.

If you have two sons, for instance, hide 20 green eggs and 20 blue eggs. They'll know exactly which eggs to search for, and everything will be kept fair since they'll each get to find the same number.

3. Glow In The Dark Hunt

There's obviously more to Easter than just the fun of egg-hunting. Nonetheless, for kids, it's often the most looked-forward-to portion of the day, and once it's over, it can be hard to keep them entertained or invested in the celebration.

But with a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt, you can delay that! Just wait until the sun goes down to host a nighttime version of the tradition with the help of glow-in-the-dark paint or glow sticks inside plastic eggs. Your children will be looking forward to it all day (and probably stay on their best behavior as they wait to participate).

4. Advent Calendar Hunt

To extend the Easter fun even further, remember that you don't have to limit the festivities to just one day. Instead, spread the joy out with an Easter-themed countdown hunt!

Every day during the week leading up to Easter, hide one egg or goody bag that's filled with treats or tiny surprises. It will build anticipation in an adorable way that gets your kiddos super excited.

5. Traditional Egg Hunt: Simon Says Edition

Growing up, your family might've always put little chocolates or coins inside your Easter eggs. To infuse the tradition with some more action, consider including "Simon Says" and call it "Easter Bunny Says!"

Just place a piece of paper inside each egg that contains a fun instruction, such as "hop like a bunny" or "spin in a circle three times." It's a great way to keep the giggles going and expel some extra energy before the sugar craze hits.

6. Scavenger Hunt

For older kids (or even adults), take your Easter egg hunt up a notch by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Depending on where you're planning the hunt, like inside your home or in the backyard, come up with clues and riddles that correspond with hiding spots in that location.

It adds a puzzle-solving element that can be adapted for tweens, teens, and, again, the older folks who still want to get in on the fun.

7. Reward Hunt

Another smart idea to sweeten the whole deal is turning your Easter egg hunt into a mini reward system. Alongside the typical candy, tuck in notes that offer fun perks, like extra bedtime stories, a chore pass, or even a screen time coupon.

8. Easter Egg & Balloon Hunt

Finally, if you have a baby or toddler who isn't quite ready to participate in the conventional Easter egg hunt, all you have to do is incorporate some balloons to make the activity easier.

First, fill up some helium balloons and tie a chocolate egg to the bottom of each string. Then, you can let them bop around your home or backyard, serving as straightforward markers for your little ones to spot. Not to mention, what kid doesn't love a balloon?!

When is Passover this year in 2025?

Passover begins the evening of April 12, 2025, and lasts through the evening of Apr 20, 2025.

What is the traditional meal for Passover?

The traditional meal for Passover includes a mix of symbolic foods. Meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, herbs, and saltwater all have a place on the Seder plate, though more modern passover meals make some variations on the ingredients included.

What are the 6 foods of Passover?

A lamb’s bone (Zeroah), roasted egg (Beitzah), fruit and nut paste (Haroset), bitter herbs like horseradish (Mar’or), green vegetables (Karpas), and a small bowl of salt water are the 6 main foods of Passover.

What food is forbidden on Passover?

Some traditions celebrate the jewish holiday with restrictions on leavened bread (chometz). Breads made from wheat, oat, spelt, rye or barley are not eaten on Passover.

Smoked Salmon Platter

Now that everyone has a drink, get the party started with a show-stopping salmon platter, complete with cukes, tomatoes, red onion, and tons of shmear. Replace the bagels with matzo to hold all those toppings. (via How Sweet Eats)

Matzo Ball Soup

This Passover classic is traditionally made with chicken. Welcome your vegetarian friends to the table with a meat-free version. (via Foodal)

Salmon Instant Pot Dinner

If you're hosting a small Passover Seder, use your Instant Pot to create a full meal of steamed fish, potatoes, and veg. (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Beef Tenderloin With French Onion Au Jus

Feeling fancier than brisket? This thyme-crusted tenderloin is simpler than it looks but is definitely main-course worthy. Just be sure to omit the butter or replace it with a dairy-free substitute. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Matzo Schnitzel

With matzo meal and potato starch, crispy breaded chicken free of leavened ingredients can be yours for your Passover crowd to enjoy. (via Jamie Geller)

Instant-Pot Pot Roast

Embrace the modern-day craze for the Instant Pot (and the Whole30 diet) with this nourishing pot roast, which incorporates more veggies than the traditional version. (via Life Made Sweeter)

Kofta Kebabs

These kebabs have just six ingredients but are intensely flavorful from cozy cinnamon and aromatic basil. Swap out Passover Panko or matzo meal for the breadcrumbs. These have a tahini dressing, which can be left out depending on if your family consumes kitniyot during Passover or not. (via Jamie Geller)

Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes

Celebrate the classic fried artichokes of the Roman Jewish Ghetto with this lighter version, which steams in 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. (via Cotter Crunch)

Beet and Carrot Fritters

Switch up the Passover table's very beige (yet delicious) color scheme with these bright and healthy beet fritters. (via Leite's Culinaria)

Creamy Vegan Risotto With Asparagus and Quinoa

Quinoa is technically a seed, not a grain, so many people give it the seal of approval on Passover. Use it to concoct this risotto, which gets its creamy texture from a purée of roasted cauliflower, beans, and almond milk. However, if you are avoiding beans, just sub in more cauliflower. (via Well Plated by Erin)

Matzo Farfel Stuffing

Dates add an unexpected sweetness to this comforting tray of matzo pieces, mushrooms, and aromatic veggies. (via Jamie Geller)

Roasted Eggplant Salad

Juicy pomegranate seeds can make any dish look festive, as proven by this bed of seasoned roasted eggplant and pine nuts. Dress it in lemon juice, sea salt, and olive oil if you are not consuming kitniyot like tahini sauce. (via Foraged Dish)

Make These Delicious Desserts And Sweets For Passover

Vanilla Noodle Kugel

Use Passover-friendly (usually matzo-based) egg noodles and wafer cookies for this kugel, which balances the sweet notes of vanilla and sugar with the tangier flavor of sour cream. (via Tori Avey)

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Cake

Butter, chocolate, eggs, and sugar make a shockingly fudgy cake — no flour necessary. You can always sub in vegan butter if you plan on eating the meal less than two hours after consuming meat. (via Baker by Nature)

Waffle-Iron Latkes 5 Ways

Modernize the traditional latke by cooking it in a waffle iron and adorning it with updated toppings, like crème fraîche and apple butter or Greek yogurt and pomegranate. (via Brit + Co)

Dessert-Wine Poached Pears

A holiday without flour is an opportunity to get creative with fruit. These pears are poached in simple syrup, honey, and dessert wine until warm and tender. Serve them with non-dairy vanilla ice cream for a glorious temperature contrast. (via Drizzle and Dip)

Passover Apple Cake

Matzo cake meal is the secret ingredient in this nutty, apple-rich, and raisin-studded cake. (via Leite's Culinaria)

5-Ingredient Magic Matzo Chocolate Bars

Have the kids in the family make these crunchy-chewy chocolate bars. The recipe is a simple matter of layering, sprinkling, and drizzling, so it can't go too awry. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies

As long as you have matzo meal, you don't have to give up chocolate chip cookies during Passover. (via Tori Avey)

Classic Red Sangria

You could pass around standard glasses of Manischewitz, or you could use the red wine to make a fruity sangria. Since Manischewitz is already so sweet, you don't need to add any sugar to the mix. (via Kitchen Treaty)

On February 26, 2025, sources told the New York Post that Michelle Trachtenberg's mother found her at 1 Columbus Place at around 8:00am. PEOPLEnoted that police received a 911 call at around 8:00am, and made their way to the residential building in NYC. The NYPD said that police found Michelle (described as the "39-year-old female") to be "unconscious and unresponsive." Once EMS arrived and assessed the situation, they officially pronounced her dead at the scene.

At the time, the New York City Medical Examiner had yet to determine Michelle's cause of death. According to the New York Post , the Ice Princess actress recently had a liver transplant, and sources told them she died of "natural causes." ABC News also noted that the death could be due to post-transplant complications.

NBC reported that Michelle's representative said, "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time."

Now, the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner has officially confirmed that Michelle passed away due to complications from diabetes.

Michelle is best known for starring in roles such as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, as well as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Other notable roles included Harriet (Harriet the Spy), Maggie (17 Again), Casey Carlyle (Ice Princess), and Jenny (Eurotrip).

Former Gossip Girlcostar, Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass) posted his condolences for Michelle's passing. He wrote on Instagram, "So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers 🙏🤍"

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, Gossip Girlco-creators, shared a joint statement about Michelle. "We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented," they said. "Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family."

Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald, Gossip Girl) posted a moving tribute to Michelle on Instagram, too. He shared three snaps with his former costar, and captioned the post with, "Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you ❤️"

Gossip Girl matriarch, Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen) also shared an image of Michelle on her Instagram story. She captioned the post with "🤍🤍🤍🕊️"

And Taylor Momsen, the ever-iconic Jenny Humphrey, shared another photo of Michelle to her Instagram story as well. She wrote on the post, "One of a kind 💔"

Michelle's former Buffy costars also shared their sympathies for the star's death. James Marsters (Spike) told PEOPLE, "My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."

Alyson Hannigan posted a slideshow of photos on Instagram, sharing pictures with Michelle from over the years. She wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends."

20th Century Fox released a statement saying, "Michelle touched a generation of television fans throughout her career, including in her unforgettable role as the independent and strong-willed Dawn Summers in Buffy." (via NBC) Meanwhile, David Boreanaz (Angel) wrote on his Instagram story, "So very sad …horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family."

Sex and the Citystar, Kim Cattrall shared her own message on Instagram. She posted a photo of the two of them, with the caption reading, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle 💔" Kim played Michelle's skating coach in the Disney film, Ice Princess.

Rosie O'Donnell — who starred alongside Michelle in Harriet the Spy — told Us Weeklythat this is "heartbreaking." She said, "I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped."

Michelle's Holiday for Love costar, Melissa Gilbert posted on Instagram as well. She shared a still from the movie and wrote,"Oh Michy…and we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg#ripsweetgirl"

Leslie Mann, Michelle's 17 Again costar, posted an image with she and Michelle to her Instagram story. She shared, "I will miss you, Michelle ❤️"

And SNL star Kenan Thompson wrote on Instagram, "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! 🙏🏾 Check on your people!!! ❤️"

This story is still unfolding, but our hearts go out to her family, friends, and fans.