The "Social Circle" is a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in this column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.

People often complain that Christmas has become too commercialized and that the true meaning has been replaced with buying and consuming. What about Easter? 

For many, Easter is an extremely important, spiritual holiday as well as a time for families to unite, worship, share a meal and enjoy each other’s company. For others, the holiday does not have as much significance.

In popular American culture, is Easter too focused on candy and other kid-related activities like egg hunts, baskets and candy eating? What are your general thoughts on Easter? OnMilwaukee.com asked the Social Circle these questions earlier this week and here’s what they said.

Jessica Block: "Jesus has risen, that's what it's all about."

Davey Boom: "Easter sucks unless you're a kid and think looking for painted hardboiled eggs is a great time."

Jenny Steinman Heyden: "It is appreciated a lot by Christians only, I find."

Jim Jones: "What else is there besides candy on Easter? The bunny guy?"

Paul Kennedy: "The best part about Easter is egg salad Monday!"

Margaret Krueger: "Easter is the resurrection of Jesus, plain and simple. It's the holiest of days where we celebrate God's promise of victory over sin and death. Easter promises hope when there is nothing but hopelessness. It's the exclamation point of my faith."

Erin Shea Linnane: "I love Easter! We like to hide the kids baskets in ridiculous places and then play Hot and Cold. One year it took several hours to figure out we hid it somewhere in the garage. Good Times."

Melissa Musante: "I kinda like Easter. I like it even more now that I have a kid. I love dying eggs, hiding eggs, making ham, making pasta carbonara with the left over ham and egg salad sandwiches with the found eggs. And you know when you find that ONE egg at Christmas? That's fun too!"

Molly Newcomb: "We had a longish family discussion re the merits of Easter vigil versus Easter Sunday Mass this morning. The vote was 6 - 2. Vigil won it. We'll be at the basilica 8 p.m. Saturday night!"

Kathy Nichols: "It's a nice chance to see my family and I like seeing the kids enjoying their baskets."

Billy Oliver: "The origins of the holiday are Ishtar, a Pagan holiday celebrating virility. Hence the symbols of the rabbits and eggs. It was usurped by early Christians as a way to 'convert' the heathens. Yeah, I don't celebrate it."

Jen Skladanek: "No. If you are religious – Catholic and the like – it is a big deal what with Christ rising from the dead and all. I was raised Catholic and my parents were very much into it. And my mom made sure I got a couple Easter baskets out of the deal."