The Cadbury Bunny arrived early this year

The Cadbury Easter Bunny is back

The Cadbury Bunny television commercial appeared on Monday, February 18, announcing the Easter season. This advertisement used to show up about three or four weeks before the Spring holiday, but Easter is seven weeks away on Sunday, April 4.

The fluffy white bunny reminds us to purchase Cadbury chocolate eggs. After the brutal snow and ice much of the country has dealt with for the past few weeks, a reminder of warmer days to come is certainly welcome.

The Cadbury Bunny hails the beginning of the Easter season, but some stores beat him to the punch. They already had their shelves stocked with chocolate bunnies and other candies before Valentine's Day.

Not everyone is in favor of advertising for holidays months ahead of time. but this is the way it's done in our modern world. The Cadbury Bunny has been gracing us with his presence for 43 years, but where did he come from?

Four decades of the Cadbury Bunny

In 1983, the Cadbury company introduced the world to a bunny rabbit who didn’t hop or speak. He clucked like a chicken and immediately got our attention. In the now-legendary commercials, the fluffy white bunny sits on a nest and lays colorful chocolate eggs while chickens look on in total disbelief.

The gist of the commercial was simple, magical, and full of holiday spirit. Cadbury's bunny didn’t fit typical expectations, but delivered something wonderful despite being different. Who would ever expect a rabbit to lay eggs?

The ad became an instant hit, and television viewers look forward to it each year. Sadly, this past Christmas season, two iconic television advertisements did not air. The Hershey Kisses bells commercial, where We Wish You a Merry Christmas was played, and the M&Ms commercial with Santa fainting. This makes the arrival of the Cadbury Easter Bunny all the more welcome.

No bunny does it better

The Cadbury Easter Bunny came softly and gently into our lives each Spring. The soft clucking sound, as the announcer says,"No bunny does Easter like Cadbury Easter Bunny." The slow reveal, and the final moment when chocolate eggs appear, is delighful to those of us who look forward to watching this every year.

Over time, the Cadbury bunny became more than a mascot. It became a symbol of the anticipation of Easter and Spring. Another popular aspect is the commercials where various animals audition to become the Cadbury Bunny. Over the years, an elephant, a dog, a turtle a camel, and a giraffe have attempted to cluck their way to fame.

In recent years, there has been an actual contest where animals won the title of the bunny.

• 2019: Henri the English Bulldo
• 2020: Lieutenant Dan the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

• 2021: Betty the Frog.
• 2022: Annie Rose, the Therapy Dog.
• 2023: Crash the Cat
• 2024 Louie the Raccoon

I could find no listing for 2025, and there is no information on 2026 tryouts. If the contest has been discontinued lets hope our beloved commercial will remain.

Cadbury put a delightful spin on the Easter Bunny, who traditionally delivers eggs to children. Their bunny lays them and they are chocolate and delicious.

The Cadbury Bunny is an influencer

The return of the Cadbury Easter Bunny commercial each Spring means different things to different people. Some say it's a reminder that warm weather is on the way and nature will begin blooming. Others say the Bunny encourages us to keep going and doing what we have to do because he or she shows up no matter what.

Believers in Christ say the commercials keep them focused on the Bible, promising Christ will return and make all things new. One thing we can all agree on is that this Bunny is a welcome distraction.