The Socio-Cultural Implications of Peeps: Or, What to Do the Day After Easter

The Socio-Cultural Implications of Peeps: Or, What to Do the Day After Easter

Easter is tomorrow. That means you've got two, maybe three days to hit the local markets and chain drug stores and make your annual Peeps score. You want all you can find, in all the colors. Don't let the orange or green bunnies freak you out; buy them. Don't worry about having to eat all of them; you won't. There's a lot more you can do with Peeps besides eating them. A lot more.

To begin with, Peeps are a fabulous semi-edible substitute for Legos. Peep dioramas are especially effective, so much so that the Washington Post has an annual Peeps Diorama Contest. You can see photos of last year's winner here. This year's winners are here. Not to be outdone, the Seattle Times also has a Peeps diorama contest, with pictures of last year's winners here. That said, I have to say my personal favorite is the Fellowship of the Peeps.

Since the very early science experiments with the effects of microwaves on Peeps, large numbers of Peeps have been tortured sacrifice consumed in the name of science. The essential resource organization and sponsored site is of course Peeps Research. I should note that while the hard sciences have been particularly active in Peeps research, the humanists have not been remiss; I especially recommend Peeps Jousting, a particularly fine example of the uses of historical re-enactment in research and education.

For those who actually like to ingest Peeps, there are numerous sites devoted to recipes and techniques for Cooking with Peeps. Don't forget to check the Official Peeps Site, which includes instructions for a variety of Peeps crafts, as well a a number of recipes for various culinary efforts involving Peeps.

Finally, for those who are intrigued by the socio-cultural aspects of Peeps in all their glory, I offer you the Big List of Peeps Links (some of which are likely not safe for work, or children, or, well, anyone with good taste).