Looking for Easter Basket Ideas...

[swilshire]

Since you have a lot of Easter baskets to look forward to, be sure and do some shopping when holiday items are marked down at Target, etc. Even our grocery stores have them and they usually get down to 75% off before they're all gone. I also watch for new bunnies at charity sales and flea markets. I keep a large container of them. The only thing I had to buy this year was a few items for my 19yo (hard to buy for) daughter.

Sheila

 

[reeanna]

We try to keep candy to the minimum too....instead I just get those little plastic eggs and fill them with slips of paper that say things like, "stay up an extra 15 mins at bedtime" or "good for one extra bedtime story" or "free pass on 1 daily chore" etc. These are little gifts from the EB that they can hang on to for future use after all that yummy stuff is gone...

 

[bettyann29]

Thanks for the great ideas... Im only doing an actual basket for my youngest who is 7.. she still believes in the easter bunny... we are doing DW in March next year so I am making her basket "disney" themed.. Off to walmart tonight.. will go to mall tomorrow to see if I can find a few small things.. also getting some disney dollars to put in her fund.. the older kids will get a chocolate bunny and a few candies and some disney dollars..

 

[moopdog]

Just some friendly advice, that may or may not be considered off-topic. But don't go overboard! I also became a step-mom about 7 years ago and I went crazy trying to do what I thought was right (plus I loved doing it!) But it took me/us a few years to realize that we weren't doing right by my SD. She was getting WAY too much stuff for all holidays from all members of the family and it became painfully obvious that it wasn't in HER best interest.

I know it sounds funny, but it would have been better if my DH and I just got her like one chocolate rabbit, for example for Easter and 3 or 5 presents for Christmas instead of 20! Now she's 12, going on 13 and we have 2 other children together and it's too late to do less than we have in the past for her, even though we know that is what's best. She's been spoiled beyond belief and we blame ourselves (of course it's not "just" us, but you know what I mean). She's a good kid (although HOLY COW what a difference 12 is from when I was 12), but can seem very materialistic and admitted that she'll never where the diamond stud we gave her for her 6th grade graduation because they're too small - that kind of thing. She craves lots of presents and is very interested in "how many" she's getting, etc. Some might say that it has to do with the divorce of her parents - trust me - it doesn't. Just take my word for it, she's just plain spoiled! We sometimes jokingly will say "what's going to happen when she turns 16, she'll get TWO cars! Or what are we going to do when she get's married, give her two weddings!!!

So, anyway - here are my favorite ideas: jumpropes, sunglasses, matchbox cars, bubbles, and pinwheels!! Good luck to you!!

 

[jennifer293]

I know it sounds funny, but it would have been better if my DH and I just got her like one chocolate rabbit, for example for Easter and 3 or 5 presents for Christmas instead of 20! Now she's 12, going on 13 and we have 2 other children together and it's too late to do less than we have in the past for her, even though we know that is what's best. She's been spoiled beyond belief and we blame ourselves (of course it's not "just" us, but you know what I mean). She's a good kid (although HOLY COW what a difference 12 is from when I was 12), but can seem very materialistic and admitted that she'll never where the diamond stud we gave her for her 6th grade graduation because they're too small - that kind of thing. She craves lots of presents and is very interested in "how many" she's getting, etc. Some might say that it has to do with the divorce of her parents - trust me - it doesn't. Just take my word for it, she's just plain spoiled! We sometimes jokingly will say "what's going to happen when she turns 16, she'll get TWO cars! Or what are we going to do when she get's married, give her two weddings!!!










I know exactly what you are talking about here. My little sister is 10 1/2 years younger than me (can we say accident??) and she is the same way. She turned 18 in Dec. and she runs all over my mom and dad. She gets what she wants when she wants and it drives me insane. You would think she was the parents and my parents were the children. She even has the nerve to yell at them when they buy things they want for themselves and tells them they should not be spending $$$$ on stupid stuff when they know they have to send her to college this fall.

I am on her rear constantly about her attitude and her mouth and while she simply will not talk to me or my dh this way she continues to talk to my parents this way. They hate she acts like this but they use the ol' "she's 18" excuse and they are afraid she will move out and not finish school....WHATEVER!!!!!

On the other hand......I admit I have spoiled my DD's to an extent I went today to get easter basket stuff and spent almost 60.00....I didn't buy candy though....I got dd4 ..the incredibles dvd, a stuffed bunny, putty, bath foam, and a few other things I can't remember.

Got dd11mths, a basket, stuffed bunny, outfit, socks, toy, sippy cup, tink sunglasses, jelly shoes.

I don't think it was too bad...

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

What would you all recommend for an Easter basket for our DD? SHe will be one in april- this is our first child and am just not sure at all what to do for her.......TIA

 

[Straitlover]

Our church is doing baskets for the Boys & Girls Club. For mine, I got all my stuff at Big Lots and Dollar Tree. I got:

frisbee .99
jumprope .99
bubbles/wands .99
pk of bouncy balls .99
Brach's solid choc bunny .79
Bag of Brach's Easter choc candy (I ate a few pieces ) 1.00
small stuffed bunny 1.00
Hershey's Milk Chocolate candy bar .50
Pk of Starburst .50
Pk of Skittles .50
2 blowpops .50
Take 5 candy bar free w/ coupon at CVS
Easter grass .50
basket .59
clear bag to wrap the basket .50

I thought that was a lot of stuff for about $11 w/ tax. Hopefully the little girl who gets it will like it .

 

[Suz D]

I went to the half price book store and got her $18 in books (about 15 books

Don't you LOVE 1/2 price books?!?!

 

[sk!mom]

I do several different types of candy because my kids look foward to it since candy is a treat. I also include Spring/warm weather things that they will soon need anyway. DD8 is geting hot pink flip flops, sunglasses, a book with sleep over ideas (because she is obsessively planning her 1st birthday sleep-over- wonder where the planning gene comes from), and a Lizzie Party CD- she loves to dance and can use it at the eagerly anticipated party.

 

[bengalbelle]

What would you all recommend for an Easter basket for our DD? SHe will be one in april- this is our first child and am just not sure at all what to do for her.......TIA

Board Books - Pat the Bunny, Runaway Bunny or Goodnight Moon would be cute.
Sensory Toys
A few years ago Walmart had some little bunny cookies. Kind of like animal cookies but softer.
A cute little summer outfit.

I'm trying to remember what we got DS but it's late-lol. If I think of anything else I'll come back and post.

 

[jennifer293]

What would you all recommend for an Easter basket for our DD? SHe will be one in april- this is our first child and am just not sure at all what to do for her.......TIA

Our DD will be one in April also..on the 22nd to be exact. I got her some Tink sunglasses, a pink lovee (soft little blanket type thing), a pooh romper, pink jelly sandals, sippy cup, and a pink stuffed bunny..there may be more i am forgetting I bought for both of my girls and went a little overboard so I can't remember all that I bought.. Oh and I forgot I did get her and DD4 a chocolate bunny for their baskets but she will not be eating it DH will because she cannot have chocolate yet!!! But it is a must have in all baskets in my opinion....LOL

I hope he has a blast eating it..hahah

 

[elf]

When my dd was one I remember her getting a stuffed musical bunny, a plastic ring with plastic easter shapes that jingled when you shook it (her favorite), a few little baby toys and clothes like sunglasses and hats.

This year they are 5 & 7, I give very little candy also.
My kids enjoy bubble gum so I bought from the target $1.00 area mini pail's with bubble gum for $1.00. Also at the $1.00 area of target I got a picture frame, pens with chick feathers on top, and stickers.
I usually give a disney night gown each, but this year I did bathing suits and sunglasses instead and I will add one DVD to the package to finish off.

 

[pjlla]

Think of things you might be buying for Spring/Summer any how.... one year when dd was about 3 her easter basket included a pair of sandals that were blue and white and sparkly (but appropriate for everyday wear). She LOOOOOVED them and wore them until they literally fell apart! It was one of my best basket ideas yet! Our Easter bunny has also brought skate boards, beach towels, sunglasses. It may seem a bit much, but I'd rather that they got those items than a basket full of candy or junk that just clutters up their rooms. At least they use the larger items!

Do they need new bathing suits? Or how about a bottle of kids sunscreen? Or some sunscreen lip balm? Magazine subscription? Spring windbreaker? New sneakers?

While you might spend a bit more money on my ideas, at least they are something useful that you may have been purchasing anyhow!...........P

 

[elmonshea]

I got son ( 6 ) and daughter ( 21 months ) baskets at walmart
They are Disney themed. They are the pop up kind so they will fit easy in our luggage and then I will fill them at the resort.
Blue basket has buzz lightyear on it and Purple has mickey and minnie ( they also had a yellow with Pooh )
Today when I was there I also saw a pink Disney princess one .
They were 2.88 each.
I will fill them with little stuff they need and a few candies.
Probably from the Dollar tree.
I do not plan to put too much in them.

 

[bettyann29]

Just got back from Walmart.. I decided to make my youngests basket with Disney stuff since our next family vacation is Dw next March.. I found some Disney Princess crayons in the school dept for .94, a Disney princess coloring book for 2.67, a cute stuffed minnie mouse for 5.88, a Lion King Paddle/ball set for .88, a Tinkerbell color set where it has a felt background and you color the picture.. it was only .94, a Disney Princess Jax set (with jax and ball) for 1.78, various other Disney easter candies in the easter aisle.. Im about to head to my local Disney store and see if I can pick up some DD to put in there with it.. The other kids who are 11 and older that dont believe in easter bunny anymore got these little popup baskets for 1.88 each.. each of them got a chocolate easter and some various candies..

I wonder how the Easter Bunny knew we were heading to DW??

 

[Boo Mc]

I'd suggest trying to think of things that you'd need to buy them anyway. For example, are you near a pool/beach? If so, buy little shovels, pool balls or beach balls, etc. Do they play outside alot - then get sidewalk chalk, super balls, kites, hot wheels, etc. If they're inside kids, I've found that nothing is better than a new box of markers - make sure you get the washable ones . If it's something I'd buy anyway in spring/summer then I don't feel like I'm just spending on unnecessary stuff. Personally, my DD 6 loves Polly Pockets and My Litle Pony right now. If you watch the Sunday ads, some stores had BOGO free on the Pony dolls and they're only $5.00 to begin with. Polly Pockets are also less than $5. Lastly, the bunny left hula hoops at our house last year - HUGE hit. Not too pricey and DS 8 even liked his. They came up with lots of creative games to use them for, too. Happy Easter!

P.S. We put stickers and coins in our eggs. Nothing like a bunch of pennies or nickels rattling around to get them excited .

 

[madisonsmom]

We live near the beach(but also have a sandbox out back) so I am doing a beach theme basket. Target has a great 99 cent section for beach toys. I bought a couple different diggers/shovels, different pails, swim goggles, small beach bag/tote that is just her size(found it by the women's purses) and then I got an easter egg filled with starburst and a pez set(which she loves). The dollar section at Target also had lip gloss and glitter roll on gel which she loves also so picked those up too.

Good Luck and have fun shopping for them!

 

[MrsPete]

Regardless of what the advertisers want us to do, I refuse to make every holiday a gift-giving opportunity. My girls will receive a small amount of candy in their baskets and one small trinket -- that's it. That's all we've ever done.

Here's something we've done that's pretty neat: Grow real grass for the Easter baskets. It's easy, but you should choose a small basket. Stuff a piece of old panty hose with potting soil and grass seed. Place it in a container that'll fit in the bottom of your basket; with plenty of water and sunlight you'll have grass in about 2 weeks. It'll be a really neat basket that won't make a mess on your carpet.

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

Good luck with all the advice these great diser's have given you but I have a suggestion to make as well. If you know that you'll be making these baskets every year..plan ahead the day after Easter this year. Run to Target on the day after Easter and buy all the fun Easter stuff at half off. I do this for every holiday and it is helpful managing my budget. I have candles and the like for teacher gifts that I bought last year and have bunny bowling, chalk etc. for basket for this year for nephew and daughter and others we do for but without breaking the bank!
Good luck!

 

[christinadei]

I always hit the 50% and 75% off sales. I got so much stuff last year, that when I took it out this year to see what I had, I had way too much to fill DS's basket! LOL. I guess I just need to pick up a chocolate bunny and I"m good to go. Gotta love those sales!