Easter Bunnies

It's Easter and we are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus by eating too much Chocolate. I have just eaten a whole (small) buttons Easter egg and the buttons and a galaxy bar and a galaxy caramel. I feel a bit sick if I'm honest. What's intriguing me about Easter these days is the Easter Bunny. When did it become like Father Christmas but with chocolate? (obv only chocolate would not work for FC as it'd melt when he came down the chimney).

I never remember a benevolent bunny when I was growing up. Yes the Easter bunny was mentioned in a wider "Easter things" context - baby bunnies, chicks, lambs - all symbols of new life and linked to the Easter message but I don't remember being aware of the Easter Bunny providing the eggs. I was given them by my parents. I'm not being bah humbug about it - it's nice for children to get excited about Easter - I just don't understand where it came from and when it started happening. Perhaps it was just our house that didn't go in for it and no one ever told me!