Budget Easter Baskets

[Cinderelly5507]

What does everyone put in Easter baskets? Just candy? Candy and toys? A big gift? Any ideas would be appreciated! My daughters will be 5 (6 in May) and 18 months at Easter. I'd also like to make a basket for my friends' kids that I babysit twice a week-- a girl 5 and her brother who is 3. Thanks!!

 

[jillbur]

When my kids were younger, they would each get 1 or 2 things of candy (from local candy factory) and some dollar things for spring, like chalk, bubbles, jump rope, silly string.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

I also go for a Lil "special" candy as they don't see it each time we are in checkout & it always excites more than an abundance of everyday types We always do 1 gift with a few small spring toys The gift is never over expensive yet it's taught here special things on special days so they ask for varied items knowing they may wait yet wishes are met from small to large

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

When my kids were younger, they would each get 1 or 2 things of candy (from local candy factory) and some dollar things for spring, like chalk, bubbles, jump rope, silly string.

That's how we always do it plus we also buy the kids a few spring outfits. Last year when DD was 11, she asked why our neighbor with girls the same age and one year older always get tons of stuff from the Easter Bunny. (We're talking big ticket items in excess of hundreds of dollars each) That was an interesting conversation. I don't have issues with people spending what they want, it was just hard explaining.

 

[mommy2_3]

since we are going to Disney in May, i decided to do beach towel easter baskets!
http://forthemommas.com/articles/frugal-easter-idea-beach-towel-baskets

they are each getting a new dvd to watch in the car, a new shirt, some candy, muffins, a hat, sunglasses, and a few little things that we can use on out trip.

 

[mcuoghi]

I usually buy my children a swimsuit (which is needed anyway), one small candy, side walk chalk, bubbles, and a toothbrush.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I usually do candy and some outdoor toys (in our house the baskets are to celebrate spring). One year they got bikes and some candy, but usually it is something like jump ropes, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc. It's getting harder now that they're teens.

 

[ceecee]

They can cost as much as you want them to. At that age you can get a lot of fun things for a little price. Sidewalk chalk, jump rope, hotwheels, candy, silly putty, etc. DD has always gotten a DVD or Wii game, now it's gift cards!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

since we are going to Disney in May, i decided to do beach towel easter baskets!
http://forthemommas.com/articles/frugal-easter-idea-beach-towel-baskets

they are each getting a new dvd to watch in the car, a new shirt, some candy, muffins, a hat, sunglasses, and a few little things that we can use on out trip.

Love this idea! We aren't going to Disney but have a beach trip planned. It'll be great to buy all the stuff that I would be getting them anyways. In fact, I've already gotten oldest DD a One Direction beach towel. This is perfect! I'm going to roll it up, and put a sand bucket I goodies in the center. A new DVD, some candy, beach toys, goggles, and we'll be good to go! Same for youngest DD!

 

[tina.tina]

I always loved looking for special little treats for my kids. I would use plastic eggs to hold squinkees, jewelry, special candy, tiny rabbits. I've had this romantic idea of them really sitting and exploring their baskets to find all the treasure. Last year, I finally realized that my kids never sit and look at their Christmas stockings or Easter baskets. My kids don't like candy that much anyhow. I spent less money and got them fewer things last year. They liked that just as well as the more expensive and labor intensive baskets they've gotten in the past.

Easter Basket fillers: spring pjs & tshirts, inexpensive jewelry & watches, dvds, chap stick, sunblock, body wash, games & puzzles, bubbles & bubble machine, water sprinklers, flower/vegetable seeds and garden tools

I would suggest an alternative to a basket for other people's kids. I appreciate the thought, but never like it when my inlaws get our kids baskets. I like for them to get one special basket from the Easter Bunny.

 

[firecracker725]

For my girls I always do socks, underwear, pastel colored tshirts/onesies, candy, and a stuffed animal. Oh, and a new toothbrush! It's stuff they need, but I make it look cute.

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I always loved looking for special little treats for my kids. I would use plastic eggs to hold squinkees, jewelry, special candy, tiny rabbits. I've had this romantic idea of them really sitting and exploring their baskets to find all the treasure. Last year, I finally realized that my kids never sit and look at their Christmas stockings or Easter baskets. My kids don't like candy that much anyhow. I spent less money and got them fewer things last year. They liked that just as well as the more expensive and labor intensive baskets they've gotten in the past.

Easter Basket fillers: spring pjs & tshirts, inexpensive jewelry & watches, dvds, chap stick, sunblock, body wash, games & puzzles, bubbles & bubble machine, water sprinklers, flower/vegetable seeds and garden tools

I would suggest an alternative to a basket for other people's kids. I appreciate the thought, but never like it when my inlaws get our kids baskets. I like for them to get one special basket from the Easter Bunny.

I agree about the other kids! I was just going to use a cheap pastel bag, but now I think I'll do a sand bucket as they are going to the beach too!

 

[Sandy61]

Target is having clearance right now on Valentine's day stuff. Some of which is not VDay themed. Also, purple dot stuff in front area is 70% off and I have heard reports of cute hair things and simple toys, these also have items that are not VDay themed.

 

[writersblock42]

I love the beach towel idea. I usually do two spring outfits, a bathing suit, some bubbles, a couple of chocolate crosses and gummy butterflies or something like that. A video game for my son and maybe a stuffed animal or barbie for my dd. Sunglasses, sandals and this year each will be getting Disney dollars. I really try not to get plastic junk.

 

[kayrosek]

When my kids were little I put small toys, bubbles, candy, an easter outfit, flip flops and a stuffed animal.
This year I am doing a theme basket for each child.
DS12 is getting a comic themed basket. We will be getting a group of about 25 Mavel and DC comics from a friend of DHs who sells them on Ebay. I might add in a Marvel or DC coloring book and crayons and perhaps a T shirt.
DD14 loves tea. She will be getting a tea themed basket with flowering tea, a glass teapot and cup so she can see it flower and a couple boxes of her favorite herbal teas from the grocery store. I may add a bottle of honey and shortbread cookies.
DD16 is the only one Im unsure of. I think it will eigther be a music themed basket with sheet music, guitar picks, blank sheets for writing music etc. I may also get her new earbuds or headphones. Or a beauty basket with mascara, lip gloss, hair dye, shaving cream, razors, lotion, face cleanser, eye mask, hair things etc. I can think of tons of things for that basket.
In addition they will all get a few favorite candies, an Easter outfit and they may still get a stuffed animal. Also DH will be looking for a keepsake cross or snow globe or something for each. Since DH was given his diagnosis with a grim prognosis he has been giving each child something special just from him.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

This year my 3 daughters will each be getting a movie (DD13 is getting Breaking Dawn part 2, DD9 is getting Wreck It Ralph, DD2 is getting Dumbo); older 2 daughters will each get 2 Cadbury eggs and 2 cans of Diet Root Beer, and a bag of popcorn. DD2 will get a tube of mini M&Ms, a container of Gerber Little Crunchies and 2 juice boxes.
Their favorite thing will be the soda, lol. They get them in stockings and baskets and SAVOR every drop haha! The movies are a little pricey this year, Ralph is $34 for the set I want but it's better for us to do 1 thing as opposed to a ton of little stuff.

 

[superme80]

Growing up I got jelly beans and a stuffed toy. My how times have changed. I usually get my boys a small toy and a snack they like.

 

[wishesuponastar]

since we are going to Disney in May, i decided to do beach towel easter baskets!
http://forthemommas.com/articles/frugal-easter-idea-beach-towel-baskets

they are each getting a new dvd to watch in the car, a new shirt, some candy, muffins, a hat, sunglasses, and a few little things that we can use on out trip.

Thank you for posting this idea, I am SO going to do that for my DD's!!
Even DD24 who doesn't live at home anymore

 

[fan4wdw]

Love this idea! We aren't going to Disney but have a beach trip planned. It'll be great to buy all the stuff that I would be getting them anyways. In fact, I've already gotten oldest DD a One Direction beach towel. This is perfect! I'm going to roll it up, and put a sand bucket I goodies in the center. A new DVD, some candy, beach toys, goggles, and we'll be good to go! Same for youngest DD!

I also love this idea! Just wondering where you found the One Direction beach towel? My daughter would really like one too.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Easter is not about the bunny here... I'll probably get them a contemporary Christian CD and chocolate cross with an egg or 2 filled with favorite candy this year.

DD has asked for Resurrection Eggs so I'll probably grab them for the family & make Empty Tomb Rolls & crosses for treats for the day.