An Austrian Easter gift basket, or Osternest, is a small nest hidden by the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday. It usually holds colored eggs, chocolate eggs, a chocolate bunny, and small treats. To send one from abroad, choose sweets that travel well, leave fresh foods to the family, and aim for delivery by Thursday, March 25, 2027.
Easter in Austria is a family holiday full of color. Children search the house or garden for their Osternest, and the whole family sits down to a long Easter meal. If you are a grandparent, aunt, or friend far away, it is natural to want a part in that morning.
Sending from the USA, the UK, Canada, or Australia raises practical questions. What do Austrian children expect to find? Which treats are traditional? Which items survive a trip, and which should the family buy fresh? And when is the last safe day to order?
This guide answers each question. You will learn the Osternest tradition, the foods and sweets that matter, the 2027 Easter dates, and how to send a basket that arrives in time.
Key Takeaways
- The Osternest is hidden on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny brings it, filled with eggs and small treats.
- Easter Sunday 2027 is March 28. Easter Monday, March 29, is a public holiday.
- Good Friday is not a public holiday. Couriers still deliver that day.
- Aim for delivery by Thursday, March 25. School holidays start a week earlier, and many families travel.
- Send sweets, not fresh bakes. Chocolate and cookies travel well. Easter bread and ham are best bought locally.
- Anyone can order from abroad. Senders in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia can use an EU-based gift company.
- Walwater Gifts ships within the EU. We prepare Easter baskets in Slovenia for delivery across Austria.
What Is an Osternest?
An Osternest, or Easter nest, is the small basket or box that the Easter Bunny hides for Austrian children on Easter Sunday. It holds colored eggs, chocolate, and little treats. The Österreich Institut describes these nests as small baskets, cardboard boxes, or pouches hidden around the home.
If the weather is good, the nests go in the garden. Children search for them on Easter morning, often before the family brunch. The Austrian National Tourist Office notes that the Easter Bunny hides colorful eggs, chocolate, and small gifts in homes and gardens, starting the egg hunt.
The Easter Bunny was not always the messenger. According to the Österreich Institut, the stork, fox, or cuckoo once played the same role in some areas.
What Goes in a Traditional Austrian Easter Basket?
A traditional Austrian Easter basket for children mixes real and chocolate eggs with small treats. Typical contents include:
- Colored eggs. Hard-boiled and dyed. Egg dyeing in Austria dates back many centuries.
- Chocolate eggs. Foil-wrapped eggs in bright colors.
- A chocolate Easter bunny. The centerpiece of most nests.
- Small sweets. Sugar eggs, marzipan, or cookies.
- A small gift. A book, a toy, or something for spring.
- Grass or straw. Green paper grass or real moss makes the “nest.”
For older children and adults, the nest becomes a gift basket with finer chocolates, cookies, and spring treats.
Austrian Easter Foods and Customs
Easter food matters as much as the eggs. The family meal on Easter Sunday ends the 40 days of Lent.
The Easter Meal
The Austrian National Tourist Office lists Easter ham, Osterpinze, and Carinthian Reindling among the classic Easter dishes. Osterpinze is a slightly sweet Easter bread, and in Styria it often carries a hint of anise. A lamb-shaped cake, the Osterlamm, is common too.
The Blessed Easter Basket
In many Catholic families, a basket of Easter foods is blessed in church. In Styria, this Weihkorb holds Easter bread, smoked meat, sausages, eggs, horseradish, salt, and palm bundles. This is a family and church tradition, so it is not something to send from abroad.
Egg Knocking
In many parts of Austria, families play Eierpecken. Two people knock colored eggs together, and the egg that stays whole wins.
What to Send and What to Leave to the Family
Some Easter treats travel well. Others belong to the local bakery and butcher.
Good to send: chocolate eggs and bunnies, wrapped sweets, cookies, small toys, books, and keepsake decorations. These keep for days and arrive in good shape.
Better bought locally: Osterpinze, Easter ham, fresh eggs, and lamb cakes. These are best fresh, and Austrian bakeries sell them in the weeks before Easter.
A nice approach is to send the treats and the surprise, then add a card that says the Easter bread is “on you” next time you visit.
Osternest Ideas by Recipient
Recipient | Nest idea | Add a touch | Watch for |
Young child | Chocolate bunny, eggs, small toy | Picture book | Allergies, small parts |
Older child | Chocolate selection, cookies | Craft or game | Sugar limits |
Whole family | Large sharing basket | Spring decoration | Household size |
Grandparents | Fine chocolates, cookies | Warm card | Dietary needs |
Teacher or caregiver | Small cookie box | Thank-you note | School gift rules |
When Is Easter 2027 in Austria?
Easter Sunday 2027 falls on March 28, and Easter Monday on March 29. Easter Monday is a public holiday in Austria.
Good Friday, March 26, is not a public holiday. Austria removed it as a holiday in 2019 and replaced it with a “personal holiday” that workers can choose. Couriers can deliver that day, but many families are already busy.
Austrian schools close for Easter from the Saturday before Palm Sunday through Easter Monday. In 2026, that ran from March 28 to April 6. In 2027, expect the break to start around March 20. Many families travel then, so check where the children will be.
When to Order an Easter Basket for Austria
Walwater Gifts lists 2 to 3 working days for standard delivery to Austria, with next-working-day express for orders placed before 11:00 CET where available (Walwater Gifts shipping policy). These are estimates. Delivery dates and costs should be confirmed during checkout.
For Easter Sunday, March 28, 2027:
- Safe order date: Monday, March 15. This allows for travel plans and busy couriers.
- Latest standard order: Monday, March 22, before 11:00 CET, for arrival by Thursday, March 25.
- Last-chance express: Thursday, March 25, before 11:00 CET, for Friday, March 26, where offered.
Remember the time difference. In mid to late March 2027, 11:00 CET is 6:00 a.m. in New York and 10:00 a.m. in London, because the US changes its clocks two weeks before Europe.
How to Send an Easter Basket to Austria
- Ask where the family will spend Easter. Home, grandparents, or a holiday trip changes the address.
- Select Austria as the delivery country. This shows which Easter gifts are available.
- Choose a basket that fits the household. Pick one for a child, or a larger one for the whole family.
- Check the product details. Look for allergens and confirm the basket is alcohol-free if it is for children.
- Enter the full address. Include street, house number, stair and door number, four-digit postcode, and town.
- Add a phone number with +43. Couriers use it to arrange delivery.
- Write your Easter message. “Frohe Ostern” means Happy Easter. We print your message on a designed greeting card.
- Order by mid-March and follow tracking. Tell a parent when it is due, so the nest stays a surprise.
Chocolate, Spring Weather, and Delivery
Late March in Austria is usually cool, which suits chocolate. Even so, a parcel can sit in a warm hallway or a sunny window. Ask the family to bring it inside and keep it cool until Easter morning. In alpine areas, spring snow can slow deliveries, so add a day or two.
Why Send From Inside the EU
A parcel mailed from outside the EU clears Austrian customs. The recipient may pay import VAT, a €3 EU duty per item category on parcels under €150, and a carrier fee. Gifts shipped from inside the EU skip customs, so the Easter basket arrives without a bill at the door.
Easter Baskets We Recommend for Austria
Our team at Walwater Gifts picked five Easter gifts for children, families, and friends. Availability depends on the destination and selected gift. Check each product page for allergens and alcohol content before choosing one for children.
- Gift Idea
The Easter Special Occasion Gift Basket is a generous choice for a family gathering on Easter Sunday.
2. Gift Idea
The Easter Joy Basket is a cheerful, colorful option that suits children and young families.
3. Gift Idea
The Easter Classic keeps to the familiar Easter favorites. It works well for grandparents and traditional households.
4. Gift Idea
The Easter May’s Compose Gift Basket is a springtime gift for friends, hosts, and adults who enjoy a mix of treats.
5. Gift Idea
The Ambassador Easter Cookies Gift Basket suits cookie lovers and makes an easy sharing gift for families, teachers, or a small office.
Easter Gifts for Clients and Teams in Austria
Easter is a quieter season for business gifts than Christmas, but a small Easter basket can be a friendly thank-you. A shareable cookie or chocolate basket suits an office. Send it to arrive by Wednesday, March 24, since many people take time off in Easter week.
Check company gift policies first. Branded corporate orders generally need one to two weeks of preparation, and a VAT invoice is available.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Arriving after Easter Sunday. The nest is part of Easter morning.
- Shipping fresh Easter bread or ham. Fresh foods are best bought locally.
- Missing the school holidays. Families may travel from around March 20.
- Sending alcohol to children. Check every product before choosing.
- Leaving out the door number. Austrian apartments use stair and door numbers.
- Mailing from outside the EU. Customs can add fees and delays.
How Walwater Gifts Can Help
Walwater Gifts helps customers in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries send Easter baskets and other personal and corporate gifts to Austria and other supported European destinations.
Here is how that works:
- You can order from outside Europe and pay online.
- We prepare gifts in Slovenia and ship them within the EU, so there is no customs step.
- You can choose Easter baskets for children, families, friends, or business contacts.
- Your message is printed on a designed greeting card.
- The website shows which products are available for Austria.
- Delivery terms, costs, and dates can be checked before checkout.
- Business buyers can ask about larger or repeat orders.
To see all seasonal gifts, you can send gifts across Europe with Walwater Gifts.
Final Checklist
- Easter address confirmed with the family
- Basket checked for allergens and alcohol
- Order placed by March 15, or March 22 at the latest
- Full address with stair and door number
- Phone number with +43
- Card reads “Frohe Ostern”
- Parent told when to expect the parcel
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Osternest in Austria?
An Osternest is a small Easter nest that the Easter Bunny hides for Austrian children on Easter Sunday. It is usually a basket, box, or pouch filled with colored eggs, chocolate eggs, a chocolate bunny, and small treats.
What do Austrian children get for Easter?
Austrian children usually find colored eggs, chocolate eggs, a chocolate bunny, sweets, and a small gift in their Osternest. The nest is hidden in the house or garden and found on Easter Sunday morning.
When is Easter 2027 in Austria?
Easter Sunday 2027 is March 28, and Easter Monday is March 29. Easter Monday is a public holiday in Austria. Good Friday, March 26, is not a public holiday.
Is Good Friday a holiday in Austria?
Good Friday is not a public holiday in Austria. It was removed in 2019 and replaced with a personal holiday that workers can choose. Couriers can deliver on Good Friday.
When should I order an Easter basket for Austria?
Order by Monday, March 15, 2027, for a safe margin. The latest standard order date is Monday, March 22, before 11:00 CET, for arrival by Thursday, March 25. Confirm the delivery date at checkout.
Can I send an Easter basket to Austria from the USA?
You can send an Easter basket to Austria from the USA through Walwater Gifts. We prepare gifts in Slovenia and ship them within the EU, so there is no customs step. You pay online, with prices in euros.
Can I send Easter bread or ham to Austria?
Fresh Easter bread and ham are best bought locally in Austria. Austrian bakeries sell Osterpinze in the weeks before Easter. Send chocolate, cookies, and small gifts instead, which travel well.
Is chocolate safe to ship to Austria in spring?
Chocolate usually ships well to Austria in late March, when the weather is still cool. Ask the family to keep the parcel inside and away from sunny windows until Easter morning.
Where in Austria can Walwater Gifts deliver Easter baskets?
Walwater Gifts delivers Easter baskets across Austria, including Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and smaller towns. Alpine areas may take longer after spring snow. Check delivery details at checkout.
How do I say Happy Easter in German?
“Frohe Ostern” means Happy Easter in German. It is the standard greeting in Austria. Add it to your card along with a short personal message for the children or family.
Do any Easter baskets contain alcohol?
Some adult gift baskets can contain alcohol or liqueur chocolates. Always check the product details before choosing a basket for children. Adult signature rules may apply to gifts containing alcohol.
What address details does an Austrian courier need?
An Austrian courier needs the full name, street, house number, stair and door number, four-digit postcode, and town. Add a phone number with the +43 code. Missing door numbers often cause delays.
Is tracking available for Easter gifts to Austria?
Tracking is provided after dispatch where available. Share it with a parent rather than the children, so the Osternest stays a surprise until Easter Sunday.
Can a company send Easter gifts to an Austrian office?
A company can send small Easter gifts to an Austrian office. A shareable cookie or chocolate basket works well. Aim for delivery by Wednesday, March 24, 2027, since many people take time off in Easter week.
What if an Easter product sells out?
Seasonal stock can sell quickly. If a listed brand runs out, we may use another branded item of equal or greater value so the order ships on time. Order early for specific items.
How do I pay and get help with my Easter order?
You pay online at checkout, with prices in euros and a US dollar estimate. For help, email info@sendgiftsineurope.com or call +386-51-420086 in Europe and +1-269-216-9989 in the US.
Send an Austrian Easter Gift Basket This Spring
An Austrian Easter gift basket lets you join the egg hunt from far away. Send the chocolate eggs and the surprise, and let the family add the fresh Osterpinze. Browse the Easter gifts available for Austria through Walwater Gifts, add “Frohe Ostern” to your card, and order by mid-March. We support Easter gifts for children, families, friends, and colleagues across the EU.
Walwater Gifts
Our Uniquely Designed Gifts story began in 2008 when the business started with Baby Gifts only, especially Sweet Chocolate Bouquets. After a few years, we expanded the business presence by opening a second operation center in Europe. Walwater Gifts offers a beautiful and impressive collection of Gifts and Specialty Items.
About Us
Walwater Gifts uses the highest quality products, every order is treated with respect and attention to detail to ensure a perfect gift. We continuously strive to improve our products and services and create every gift with the same pride and enthusiasm as if it were our very own.
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