Visiting the Easter Bunny at the local mall is a time-honored American tradition. But families in other countries have different ways of celebrating the springtime holiday:

Russia — People tap each other with pussy willow branches for good luck.

Germany — Villagers make a bonfire out of their old Christmas trees to burn the last vestiges of winter and make way for spring.

England — Young men carry around a chair decorated with flowers. When a girl or a woman sits in the chair, they lift her up three times for good luck. She thanks them with money and a kiss.

Australia — Families play a game in which everyone takes an egg and then pair off and tap each other’s egg. The first egg to crack loses and the winner goes on to challenge other winners until there is only one egg left.

Norway — Even though Easter heralds the beginning of spring, many Norwegians go skiing. They also love to buy crime novels and watch TV detective shows while on vacation. They call it “paskekrimmen” or “Easter Crime.”

Sweden — Swedes celebrate by shooting off fireworks.

Argentina– Women in ruffled skirts, colorful ponchos and white hates cover their faces with white powder and sing songs as they ride on horseback to the Easter carnival. At the end of the festivities, a rag doll is buried to mark the conclusion of the holiday.

Bulgaria — The oldest woman in the family touches the faces of the children with the first Easter egg that has been colored red, for good luck.

Poland — People celebrate by splashing water on each other. On Easter Monday boys lie in wait to sprinkle girls with water or perfume. It is said that girls who get soaked will marry within the year.