Easter is a time for celebrating new beginnings, longer, warmer days, fresh air, and sunny skies.

This springtime verse by Jamaican-American poet Claude McKay (1889-1948) captures that desire most of us have to be outdoors during this lovely season:

Too green the springing April grass,
Too blue the silver-speckled sky,
For me to linger here, alas,
While happy winds go laughing by,
Wasting the golden hours indoors,
Washing windows and scrubbing floors.

PICKING THE PERFECT GIFT

Springtime is blooming around Easter, so pictures of flowers, new farm animals, and budding leaves make great seasonal gifts. A present should always reflect the style of the recipient. Here are some tips:

• Snoop around their house. Not into drawers and closets, but try to get a feel for the lucky person's decorating scheme. If they like delicate wallpapers and pastels, this is the perfect time to give them a wall hanging with pale colors and a Spring-y theme.

• Bring up home decor-related conversations, and then listen. Does she mention an area she wishes was better decorated? Does he tell you about a color scheme he's planning? If a blank wall is a subject of despair, try to sneak a measurement so you can order an artwork of the perfect size.

• If you're unable to browse yourself, make use of your own knowledge or chat with other people who know them. What hobbies do they enjoy? Springtime is a great chance to give a garden-related image - perhaps a picture of one of their own flowers. A farmer might be pleased with a photograph of a beautiful, fresh field at sunrise.

• Once you've settled on the image, consider the presentation. Do they already have a number of canvases hanging in the home? If so, you might choose to stick with that display, or pick out one of our beautiful canvas floater frame to accentuate the picture.

• If you don't have access to the perfect image, or for any other reason you're unable to select a canvas print or frame, why not let them pick their own, on you! We offer Gift Certificates in custom denominations. We can send the recipient the code via email, or print a physical certificate and mail it straight to them!

ORDERING

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HISTORY OF EASTER

Eggs are also a symbol of new life, and therefore suitable for a Springtime celebration. The act of decorating eggs has been around since the 13th century, while the Egg Roll was initiated at the White House on Easter, 1878.

Chocolate eggs have been part of the Easter tradition since the lat 19th century. Jelly beans, a classic Easter candy, began to be associated with the holiday in the 1930s. Marshmallow "peeps" have been sold for the season since the 1950s.

Any of these symbols could make a great seasonal canvas print for the kitchen or dining room - one you might rotate with different prints for each incoming season!