When I was a kid, I lived on a great street ... well it was actually a cul de sac ... where the neighbors did a lot together. Yep, Panarama Court ... it had about 11 houses. We had block parties, Christmas plays and Easter Egg Smashes. Not familiar with Easter Egg Smashes? Let me fill you in....
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Starting in January, my friend’s mom (Mama Elaine, who I called my second mom, as well as the other moms in the neighborhood) would start saving egg shells. Anytime she would make something using eggs, she would carefully make a hole in the bottom of the egg shell to allow the yolk and egg white to escape keeping the shell in tact.
We would dye the eggs in bright blues, yellows, pinks, oranges and sometimes a mix of all of the colors ... kind of a tie-dye effect. Then we would fill them with confetti, lots of confetti!
We would dye the eggs in bright blues, yellows, pinks, oranges and sometimes a mix of all of the colors ... kind of a tie-dye effect. Then we would fill them with confetti, lots of confetti!
The adults would hide the eggs for the kids to find in the egg hunt. The eggs you find, you could smash them over anyone’s head you wanted to, even an adult’s head. They were nice and even bend over for you so you could do a proper smash. How cool is that!
Whether you were the smasher or the smashee, you would have confetti everywhere ~ hair, clothes, all over the lawn ~ for days and days. It was a lot of fun!
Whether you were the smasher or the smashee, you would have confetti everywhere ~ hair, clothes, all over the lawn ~ for days and days. It was a lot of fun!
Mama Elaine started the traditional Easter Egg Smash on Panarama Court but another neighbor, Myrtle Hendricks, reminds me that it came from the Pax church where they did it for 20 years. She said that a couple from San Antonio introduced it to the PAX community and they learned it from Mexican immigrants (see the full history below)!
On the menu was roast lamb, deviled eggs and Myrtle would make her famous coconut frosted Lamb cakes with jelly bean eyes.
On the menu was roast lamb, deviled eggs and Myrtle would make her famous coconut frosted Lamb cakes with jelly bean eyes.
The History of Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)
Origin:
Cascarones (from the Spanish cascarón, meaning "eggshell") are believed to have originated in China, where people used hollowed-out eggs filled with perfume as gifts. This tradition made its way to Europe, particularly to Italy and Spain, and eventually traveled to Mexico during the colonial era.
Evolution in Mexico and the U.S.:
In Mexico, the eggs were adapted into a festive tradition. Instead of perfume, they began to be filled with colorful confetti and became popular during Carnival, Easter, and other celebrations like Cinco de Mayo or quinceañeras. When they crossed into the U.S., especially in Texas and the Southwest, they became a staple of Easter festivities.
Cascarones (from the Spanish cascarón, meaning "eggshell") are believed to have originated in China, where people used hollowed-out eggs filled with perfume as gifts. This tradition made its way to Europe, particularly to Italy and Spain, and eventually traveled to Mexico during the colonial era.
Evolution in Mexico and the U.S.:
In Mexico, the eggs were adapted into a festive tradition. Instead of perfume, they began to be filled with colorful confetti and became popular during Carnival, Easter, and other celebrations like Cinco de Mayo or quinceañeras. When they crossed into the U.S., especially in Texas and the Southwest, they became a staple of Easter festivities.
How the Tradition Works
Egg Preparation: Eggs are hollowed out (by making a small hole), cleaned, dyed, and dried. Then they're filled with confetti, and the hole is covered with a small piece of tissue paper or decorated foil.
The Smash: They’re hidden like traditional Easter eggs, and when someone finds one, they get to smash it on another person’s head, usually in a playful and joyful way, showering them in confetti.
Symbolism: It’s said to bring good luck to the person who gets "smashed," and it represents the fun, surprise, and renewal associated with the Easter season.
The Smash: They’re hidden like traditional Easter eggs, and when someone finds one, they get to smash it on another person’s head, usually in a playful and joyful way, showering them in confetti.
Symbolism: It’s said to bring good luck to the person who gets "smashed," and it represents the fun, surprise, and renewal associated with the Easter season.
Fun Fact!
🌟 In places like San Antonio, the Fiesta celebration in April features cascarones heavily — you’ll see streets full of confetti and people laughing as they sneak up behind friends and family to smash eggs on their heads.
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