When did the Easter bunny become like Santa Claus? The Easter bunny's always been a thing. But I don't remember ever getting a visit from The Easter bunny. Or going to the mall to visit the Easter bunny. I just remember waking up on Easter and finding a basket filled with that plastic grass and lots of chocolate and candy purportedly left by the Easter bunny. Which, I assumed was like the rabbits I'd seen hopping around outside. I mean it's magic, right?

The thing that I find silly is how big The Easter bunny is. I mean Santa is Santa. He may be short dude with a bit of a tummy and a beard. But he's Santa. And human, I think. The Easter Bunny, come on, when's the last time someone dressed as a bunny looked cute? And Playboy's cocktail waitresses from the 70's don't count.

Yet for $26.99 there's a business in Warrensburg that will have the Easter bunny show up to traumatize... uh I mean... amaze your young ones. He'll even deliver an Easter basket or Easter treat.

I assumed the giant Easter bunny thing wasn't a big deal until malls realized they could make money from parents twice a year, instead of only at Christmas, by offering photos with the furry animal. Yet, I was wrong as this Bored Panda gallery of kids being tortured by Easter bunnies shows one picture from 1948.

Apparently the Easter bunny becoming like Santa Claus happened much earlier than I expected. But how did we get the Easter bunny in the first place? According to History.com German immigrants brought the Easter bunny to America when they settled in Pennsylvania.

Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.

Enjoy your candy this Easter Sunday. And if you're Christian, don't forget to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Here are 50 of your favorite retail chains that no longer exist.

More From KIX 105.7