If you are celebrating Easter this year with family members or friends at your home, we have some great ideas to help make this year more fun and festive! Whether you are more into baking, movies or crafts- we have an idea for all! Keep reading to find out more.

Activities

Color Easter Eggs 

• Coloring East Eggs is something fun you can do at home with kids of any age! You can order an easy kit online.
• If you don’t have color dye at home, you can always print out images of eggs and bunnies to color in at home! Coloring is proven to actually reduce anxiety- so parents, this may actually be good for you to participate in with your kids!

At Home Egg Hunt

• If you save your Easter eggs that you hide each year then you are already set. Create a fun hunt in your apartment! You can print out little eggs to hide online too.

Easter Movies

An Easter movie marathon is great option for spending Easter at home! Check out:

• Hop, a great animated movie the family will enjoy!
• Peter Rabbit, is another great animated movie to throw in the mix.
• If you are a Charlie Brown fan check out, It’s The Easter Beagle Charlie Brown.
•  Winnie The Pooh Springtime With Roo is another great springtime family movie!
• If you have dog lovers at home, watch The Dog Who Saved Easter
• For the adult crowd, given Risen a try.

Easy Easter Desserts

Carrot Cookie Bites

If you love carrot cake, but are looking for a new twist on a classic, then be sure to try out these carrot cookie bites! This delicious recipe is by Taste of Home.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the oats, carrots and pecans.
2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Bunny Oreo Balls

If you are looking for a cute dessert, check out these Oreo Bunny Balls from the Food Network!

Ingredient:

1 pack of oreos- you can use gluten free, regular or double stuffed!

6 ounces cream cheese 

3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar  

3/4 teaspoon meringue powder (available in the baking aisle) 

Pink gel food coloring  

Black gel food coloring 

2 cups white candy melting wafers (about 13 ounces) 

1 teaspoon refined coconut oil  

White sanding sugar, for decorating 

Pink sanding sugar, for decorating 

45 mini marshmallows  

Instructions: 

1. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Pulse the cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs. Add the cream cheese and pulse together until the mixture begins to ball up. Transfer to a large bowl and knead together a few times until completely combined.
3. Roll about 1/3 of the mixture into 18 truffles (about 1 level tablespoon each) and place on one of the prepared baking sheets. Roll the remaining mixture into 18 larger truffles, (about 1 heaping tablespoon each), and place on the second prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm and chilled through, about 1 hour.
4. While the truffles chill, prepare the decorations.
5. For the royal icing, combine the confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on low speed just to combine. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons water and increase the speed to medium. Beat the mixture until the icing is stiff enough to hold a peak but soft enough to pipe, about 2 minutes. If the icing gets too stiff, add up to 1/2 teaspoon more water.
6. Divide the icing evenly between 2 bowls. Tint one bowl of icing bright pink using the pink food coloring. Tint the remaining bowl of icing with the black food coloring. Transfer the pink and black icings to separate piping bags (with no cut openings) or to resealable plastic bags and set aside.
7. For the white coating, combine the candy melting wafers and coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the wafers are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute 20 seconds. Set aside.
8. Put some white sanding sugar and pink sanding sugar in separate bowls.
9. For the bunny tails: Cut 9 of the marshmallows crosswise to create 18 halves. Carefully dip one flat side of each marshmallow piece in the white candy coating, let the excess drip off and then dip in the white sanding sugar. Place each marshmallow piece sugar-side up on a plate to set. These will be the bunny tails.
10. For the bunny ears: Cut 18 of the marshmallows in half on the diagonal to create 18 pairs of bunny ears. Dip the cut side of each marshmallow piece in the pink sanding sugar. Place sugar-side up on the plate with the tails to set.
11. For the bunny feet: Cut the remaining 18 marshmallows in half lengthwise to create 18 pairs of feet. Set aside on the plate with the tails and ears.
12. Put a truffle in the white coating and use 2 forks to evenly coat. Lift out the truffle, letting any excess drip off, then return to the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining truffles (both sizes) until all are all coated. If the coating cools to room temperature during the dipping process, microwave it in 20-second intervals to reheat. Reserve the leftover white coating to use as glue for the tails, ears and feet.
13. For the heads: Dip the bottoms of 2 bunny ears in the leftover white coating, place on top of a small truffle and hold in place until the coating sets, about 15 seconds. Snip a very small tip off the corner of each bag of icing. Pipe a small pink heart for a nose on the front (face) of the truffle. Pipe a pair of eyes and mouth using the black royal icing. Repeat with the remaining small truffles.
14. For the bottoms: Dip the cut side of a marshmallow tail in the leftover white coating. Place the tail on top of one of the large truffles and hold in place until the coating sets, about 15 seconds. Dip the cut sides of two marshmallow feet in the leftover white coating. Position them on the truffle below the tail and hold until set in place. Use the pink royal icing to pipe a large oval on the top each foot and 3 small circles underneath for toes. Repeat with the remaining large truffles.
15. Return all the truffles to the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Serve chilled.

Read more

The Andover – Upper East Side Luxury Apartments

Located in the quaint village of Gracie Point, The Andover boasts spacious apartments and first-class amenities. With units specifically designed for small and growing families in mind, browse available apartments today!

The post Celebrate Easter At Home! appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.

If you are celebrating Easter this year with family members or friends at your home, we have some great ideas to help make this year more fun and festive! Whether you are more into baking, movies or crafts- we have an idea for all! Keep reading to find out more.

Activities

Color Easter Eggs 

• Coloring East Eggs is something fun you can do at home with kids of any age! You can order an easy kit online.
• If you don’t have color dye at home, you can always print out images of eggs and bunnies to color in at home! Coloring is proven to actually reduce anxiety- so parents, this may actually be good for you to participate in with your kids!

At Home Egg Hunt

• If you save your Easter eggs that you hide each year then you are already set. Create a fun hunt in your apartment! You can print out little eggs to hide online too.

Easter Movies

An Easter movie marathon is great option for spending Easter at home! Check out:

• Hop, a great animated movie the family will enjoy!
• Peter Rabbit, is another great animated movie to throw in the mix.
• If you are a Charlie Brown fan check out, It’s The Easter Beagle Charlie Brown.
•  Winnie The Pooh Springtime With Roo is another great springtime family movie!
• If you have dog lovers at home, watch The Dog Who Saved Easter
• For the adult crowd, given Risen a try.

Easy Easter Desserts

Carrot Cookie Bites

If you love carrot cake, but are looking for a new twist on a classic, then be sure to try out these carrot cookie bites! This delicious recipe is by Taste of Home.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the oats, carrots and pecans.
2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Bunny Oreo Balls

If you are looking for a cute dessert, check out these Oreo Bunny Balls from the Food Network!

Ingredient:

1 pack of oreos- you can use gluten free, regular or double stuffed!

6 ounces cream cheese 

3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar  

3/4 teaspoon meringue powder (available in the baking aisle) 

Pink gel food coloring  

Black gel food coloring 

2 cups white candy melting wafers (about 13 ounces) 

1 teaspoon refined coconut oil  

White sanding sugar, for decorating 

Pink sanding sugar, for decorating 

45 mini marshmallows  

Instructions: 

1. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Pulse the cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs. Add the cream cheese and pulse together until the mixture begins to ball up. Transfer to a large bowl and knead together a few times until completely combined.
3. Roll about 1/3 of the mixture into 18 truffles (about 1 level tablespoon each) and place on one of the prepared baking sheets. Roll the remaining mixture into 18 larger truffles, (about 1 heaping tablespoon each), and place on the second prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm and chilled through, about 1 hour.
4. While the truffles chill, prepare the decorations.
5. For the royal icing, combine the confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on low speed just to combine. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons water and increase the speed to medium. Beat the mixture until the icing is stiff enough to hold a peak but soft enough to pipe, about 2 minutes. If the icing gets too stiff, add up to 1/2 teaspoon more water.
6. Divide the icing evenly between 2 bowls. Tint one bowl of icing bright pink using the pink food coloring. Tint the remaining bowl of icing with the black food coloring. Transfer the pink and black icings to separate piping bags (with no cut openings) or to resealable plastic bags and set aside.
7. For the white coating, combine the candy melting wafers and coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the wafers are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute 20 seconds. Set aside.
8. Put some white sanding sugar and pink sanding sugar in separate bowls.
9. For the bunny tails: Cut 9 of the marshmallows crosswise to create 18 halves. Carefully dip one flat side of each marshmallow piece in the white candy coating, let the excess drip off and then dip in the white sanding sugar. Place each marshmallow piece sugar-side up on a plate to set. These will be the bunny tails.
10. For the bunny ears: Cut 18 of the marshmallows in half on the diagonal to create 18 pairs of bunny ears. Dip the cut side of each marshmallow piece in the pink sanding sugar. Place sugar-side up on the plate with the tails to set.
11. For the bunny feet: Cut the remaining 18 marshmallows in half lengthwise to create 18 pairs of feet. Set aside on the plate with the tails and ears.
12. Put a truffle in the white coating and use 2 forks to evenly coat. Lift out the truffle, letting any excess drip off, then return to the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining truffles (both sizes) until all are all coated. If the coating cools to room temperature during the dipping process, microwave it in 20-second intervals to reheat. Reserve the leftover white coating to use as glue for the tails, ears and feet.
13. For the heads: Dip the bottoms of 2 bunny ears in the leftover white coating, place on top of a small truffle and hold in place until the coating sets, about 15 seconds. Snip a very small tip off the corner of each bag of icing. Pipe a small pink heart for a nose on the front (face) of the truffle. Pipe a pair of eyes and mouth using the black royal icing. Repeat with the remaining small truffles.
14. For the bottoms: Dip the cut side of a marshmallow tail in the leftover white coating. Place the tail on top of one of the large truffles and hold in place until the coating sets, about 15 seconds. Dip the cut sides of two marshmallow feet in the leftover white coating. Position them on the truffle below the tail and hold until set in place. Use the pink royal icing to pipe a large oval on the top each foot and 3 small circles underneath for toes. Repeat with the remaining large truffles.
15. Return all the truffles to the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Serve chilled.

Read more

The Andover – Upper East Side Luxury Apartments

Located in the quaint village of Gracie Point, The Andover boasts spacious apartments and first-class amenities. With units specifically designed for small and growing families in mind, browse available apartments today!

The post Celebrate Easter At Home! appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.

Easter in NYC is welcomed in a myriad of ways: Some of us attend church gatherings for familiar faces coupled with relaxing spiritual music, some participate in big egg hunts around the city to ignite their adventurous side, and the rest stock up on chocolate eggs as well as festive bonnets and/or flower bouquets. We’ve been seeing warm weather and sunnier skies this week, meaning Spring and Easter will coincide once again. After all, it’s simply blasphemous to welcome a colorful holiday with a gloomy winter! Regardless of the weather and your traditions, take a look at 6 Easter activities in NYC you and your family/friends can enjoy.

Photo: “Easter Kid” by Antonin Rémond is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival – Sunday, March 27th

Starting 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., watch people parade along 5th avenue from 49th to 57th Street in creative Easter bonnets (some as big as the New York Skyline), matched with outfits ranging from elegant to outrageous. The famous festival began in the mid-1800s, when upper-class ladies would stroll in their extravagant Easter outfits after church service. Since then, it’s become less of a parade and more of a vibrant neighborhood party.

Prepare to be overwhelmed with creativity, as several people will ‘push the envelope’ with their fashion styles. Bring your bonnet and march along; you’ll realize afterwards why Easter Sunday is truly Sunday Best. If you’re just an observer, you’ll have the best view from St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Easter Services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

If you’re attending the parade and enjoy church services, stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral. After all, it’s the church with the biggest audience and numerous Easter Masses and Holy Week Services, including 8 on Easter Sunday. Only the 10:15 a.m. Mass requires tickets, but everyone is welcome to the others. A lot of history and beauty lies in this holy sanctuary, so don’t miss out on it.

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunts

You’re never too old to embrace your inner detective and embark on a scavenger hunt. The high number of ‘hunters’ in NYC makes the challenge even more exciting. We definitely recommend any of the following egg hunts if you like solving clues and know your way around Manhattan (or Google Maps).

POGO Events’ Amazing Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 27 at Slattery’s Midtown Pub from 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Assemble your team and book your tickets quickly for a mere $25. You can choose between 2 options: Adults-only and Family-friendly. Winners will receive tickets to Quiet Clubbing, Shake Rattle & Roll and other local activities. Don’t be discouraged if your peers or family members aren’t interested, since individual participants will be assigned a team.

Searching for something more suitable for children? The 9th Annual Egg Hunt at Carl Schurz Park is a top choice. Enter the park at East 87th and East End Avenue to prepare for a continuous wave of egg hunts running 1:10 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 19th. Your kids will meet the Carl Schurz Bunny in the Upper East Side, and be entertained by the tunes of East Side West Side Music Together while waiting in line. Goodies include an egg collection bag and glitter cheek, or hand stamp.

Another child-friendly activity would be the Annual Egg Hunt by Think ‘N’ Fun (TNF), which is happening on Saturday, March 26th (the day before Easter Sunday) at Riverside Park. Choose one of the four Hunt Waves, and take advantage of the $21 ticket price before it increases to $25 after March 12th. Every participant will receive a special TNF basket for egg collecting, a photo session with the Easter bunny, snacks and beverages, and a hand/cheek painting stamp with a cute accessory. Happy hunting! May the odds forever be in your favor.

Easter Eggstravaganza Children’s Workshop

For children between 4 to 8 years old, The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine will be hosting its popular annual children’s workshop on egg decorating on March 19th! Kids can create vibrant patterns on eggs and build a nest for them on the 10 A.M. or 2 P.M. session. This is an amusing learning opportunity and allows for some one-on-one bonding. Remember to bring two hard-boiled eggs per child. 1 ticket costs only $10, but we highly recommend you purchase in advance online or by calling (866) 811-4111.

Which activity suits you best? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

The post 6 Fun Easter Activities in NYC appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.

New Yorkers celebrate Easter weekend in all sorts of different ways, from the spiritual (area churches really ramp up their musical offerings on Sunday), to the sweet (chocolate bunnies! microwaved peeps!), to the floral (bouquets and bonnets galore) to the not-at-all ("thanks for the day off what's it for again?"). One thing we all can agree on, however: here's hoping the day, and the weekend, is actually springlike and WARM! Anyway, no matter what the weather or your inclinations/family traditions, if you're looking for something to do, for you or your crew, here are a few suggestions.    

Photo by Michael Rutkowski

The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, Sunday April 3

Less an actual parade and more an gloriously colorful block party, Fifth Avenue's long-standing (since the 1870s!) Easter Bonnet Pageant runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from 49th to 57th Street, and thousands of folks show up every year in beautiful, elaborate hats–the crazier the better–and springy outfits to match. No need to register, just get decked out, join the festivities, take a million pictures, go home. A personal favorite; great low-key fun.

Photo by Dave Bledsoe

Egg Hunts on the Upper East and Upper West Sides

The Upper East Side's best public egg hunt, in Carl Schurz Park, is happening this Saturday, March 28, with collection-bag decorating starting at 11:00 near Gracie Mansion, and then four rounds of mayhem…er… hunting for goodies, divided by age. Photo-ops with the "Carl Schurz Bunny" and live music round out the spring-time fun. 

On the Upper West Side, on Saturday April 4, choose from either the Fourth Universalist Society Central Park hunt (also divided into four age groups, from 12:45 to 3:00; exact location given once you register, here); or the annual Children's Museum of Manhattan affair, which asks kids to find Easter egg "icons" hidden throughout the museum's exhibitions, record their findings in a special scavenger hunt booklet, and turn it in upon completion for a prize. The CMOM fun runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. 
 

Full Bunny Contact, April 1 to April 5 

Finally, and definitely not for everyone (though clearly this was a hit last year, as they're back again for more), there's Full Bunny Contact. Taking place over the long weekend on the Lower East Side, this self-proclaimed INSANE Easter Carnival features such as diversions Shoot the Peep (with a paintball gun), Temper Tantrum Contests, an Insult Bunny, and, the headliner event, FBC: The Game, in which you enter a caged-in field and have 40 seconds to grab as many eggs as you can, while three large bunnies doing their best to stop you. "They can block [the eggs], move them, kick them, grab them from your hand and swat them out of your basket." Again: your call on this one. 

The post Flowers, Eggs & Parades: Fun Easter Ideas and Events in NYC appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.

Photo by Robert S. Donovan

Next weekend is Easter already! A holiday which is a great excuse to celebrate spring, wear lots of florals, get together with family, microwave some peeps, and eat a ton of chocolate. For kids, though, Easter is all about the egg hunt (although the Faberge Big Egg Hunt is fun for adults too). If you're looking to supplement or replace your home hunt with something a bit more festival-like, here's a quick look at several options around town. Keep in mind, these types of events are always crowded!

Upper West Side Easter Egg Hunts

On the Upper West Side, The Children's Museum of Manhattan has a number of egg-related activities throughout the week, leading up to a two-hour, CMOM-wide hunt on the morning of Easter Sunday. They're usually pretty organized, so this is likely to more fun than frantic.

Up at the always-worth-a-visit Cathedral of St. John the Divine (check out those massive Phoenix!), there all still some spots available at the 2:00 Eggstravangaza decorating workshop this Saturday, April 12.

The big Parks Department Egg Hunt in Central Park may or may not be happening this year (it'll be at the Great Hill on Saturday 19 if they do decide to reinstate this one-time tradition), but there is a smaller hunt at 76th Street and CPW you can check out on Easter Sunday, courtesy of the Fourth Universalist church.  

Photo by Jeremy Seto

Upper East Side Easter Activities

Upper East Siders get their egg activities a little early this year, with the seventh annual Carl Schurz Park Egg Hunt happening this Saturday, April 12, from 11:00 to 1:00. Expect lots of kids, music, maybe the Mayor (!?), and definitely a big bunny running around.

Less organized (and not a hunt) but my family's favorite NYC Easter event is the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, for which the city closes down Fifth Avenue between 49th and 57th Streets and hundreds of folks just show up in crazy hats and outrageously-springy outfits, mingle around, take millions of photos, and go home. Always a festive, nicely low-key atmosphere.  

Celebrating Easter in Downtown NYC

Heading downtown, Saint Luke's on Hudson Street in the West Village has a hunt on Easter Sunday at 10:30. Details are scant, but if nothing else you'll be just a few blocks south of the excellent Li-Lac Chocolates on 8th Avenue and Jane Street!

Finally, something called Full Bunny Contact is going down on the Lower East Side, with which I have no personal experience, but it's billed as an "INSANE Easter Carnival" with games, candy, contests, candy, a Creepy Easter Bunny, candy, a Dunk Jesus booth, a "Temper Tantrum" contest, candy … could be hoot, especially for the 8-to-12-year-old set. This is running from Thursday through Sunday, April 17 to 20. Your call.

What are your plans for Easter this year? Tell us in the comments!

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