What are you putting in your childrens Easter Baskets?

[mama4]

Lol! No flames here. I'm 34 and my parents always filled our baskets with lots of sweets and maybe one small gift (a painted ceramic egg or smthng) as we got older. Btw, I still have MY old Easter basket and I now use it for my oldest son and we reuse our other kids baskets too. I really shifted toward gifts for my kids so I can fill their baskets but use less candy. I buy inexpensive toys they will play with during the summer and a swimsuit or beach towel (very practical as we live in Fl) and some candy. We also dye Easter eggs, we do an egg hunt with all the cousins, and we have a Easter picnic in my sisters back yard. The kids also dress up. We really enjoy the time together. We don't usually make it to church but we plan to as the LITTLE kids get a little older. (Right now our kids are (including dsis kids) 15, 9, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3 and 8 mths and we always travel on Easter to see them in St Pete so staying home (at their home) seems to be best for us.

Wow - I'm feeling major culture shock!!! OK, this is my first time approaching a "flame-able" comment, I fear...I read this thread because I had never heard of children being given Easter presents in the form of Easter baskets, we just used to baskets to collect eggs at a hunt. I have 8 year old twin boys - we have a fun egg hunt (yes, they're chocolate eggs), and then one of their grandparents does usually give them a small (but tasty) chocolate egg. After the hunt, it's off to church, and we usually have a lovely family dinner together.

Have I missed a major shift? Is the Easter gift-giving more of a US trend or is it common in Canada too? How about the UK?

I know you are all doing this out of love for your children, and if this is your custom, I hope you all enjoy it together. Are birthdays bigger too? What about other holidays? We have really turned Valentine's into a friendship celebration rather than a chocolate marathon both at home and at the boys' school. Hallowe'en seems big on the decorating, but ramping down on the pig-out. I'm just really surprised at the Easter turn of events.

Don't anybody tell my mother...she'd freak!

 

[jcc0621]

We are going to Disney in May, so I got my dd a Disney princess tin bucket and my ds a Disney Cars tin bucket, instead of a basket. In my dd's bucket, I put a Disney Princess flashlight, watch, t-shirt and small toy. In my ds's bucket I put a Disney Cars flashlight, watch, t-shirt and small toy. I ordered them each three more trading pins yesterday and will put them inside easter eggs, with a couple of disney dollars. I also plan to get them each a small chocolate rabbit.

I love this idea. Did you get the CArs stuff at the Disney store? We are going to WDW in August and I was thinking oif some ways to incorporate that into DS's (3 1/2) Easter Basket. I also wanted to get him a little flashlight or nightlight becsaue this will be his first itme staying in a hotel and I know it may freak him out a bit, even if mom & dad are with him.

 

[jcc0621]

Lol! No flames here. I'm 34 and my parents always filled our baskets with lots of sweets and maybe one small gift (a painted ceramic egg or smthng) as we got older. Btw, I still have MY old Easter basket and I now use it for my oldest son and we reuse our other kids baskets too. I really shifted toward gifts for my kids so I can fill their baskets but use less candy. I buy inexpensive toys they will play with during the summer and a swimsuit or beach towel (very practical as we live in Fl) and some candy. We also dye Easter eggs, we do an egg hunt with all the cousins, and we have a Easter picnic in my sisters back yard. The kids also dress up. We really enjoy the time together. We don't usually make it to church but we plan to as the LITTLE kids get a little older. (Right now our kids are (including dsis kids) 15, 9, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3 and 8 mths and we always travel on Easter to see them in St Pete so staying home (at their home) seems to be best for us.

I know in my case I would rather have the EB bring little toys and not ALOT of chocolate and candy. I am sure alot of other parents feel the same way. I don't put alot of toys and gifts in the easter basket (maybe a DVD or some matchbox cars) (although loving the idea from an earlier post about the Cars buckets) and a few pieces of candy. If we let him DS would eat chocolate for breakfast. Can you say sugar high all day

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

This year I'm not doing an Easter basket but an Easter bag. I'm so tired of storing these baskets every year! I bought big bags, pink, blue and red. I'll fill the bags with tissue paper or grass, maybe. I ordered a Webkinz for my son and a Pokemon game. My DD, 4 wants a new Pokemon game too so she may get one also. She has to do what her brother does. The little guy will get a Mickey video. Of course the bags will also be filled with candy! I need to get chocolate bunnies, Peeps, and candy!

Of course if I go to the Dollar store and find some Disney things they will get added to the bag too.

 

[rt2dz]

Wow - I'm feeling major culture shock!!! OK, this is my first time approaching a "flame-able" comment, I fear...I read this thread because I had never heard of children being given Easter presents in the form of Easter baskets, we just used to baskets to collect eggs at a hunt. I have 8 year old twin boys - we have a fun egg hunt (yes, they're chocolate eggs), and then one of their grandparents does usually give them a small (but tasty) chocolate egg. After the hunt, it's off to church, and we usually have a lovely family dinner together.

Have I missed a major shift? Is the Easter gift-giving more of a US trend or is it common in Canada too? How about the UK?

I know you are all doing this out of love for your children, and if this is your custom, I hope you all enjoy it together. Are birthdays bigger too? What about other holidays? We have really turned Valentine's into a friendship celebration rather than a chocolate marathon both at home and at the boys' school. Hallowe'en seems big on the decorating, but ramping down on the pig-out. I'm just really surprised at the Easter turn of events.

Don't anybody tell my mother...she'd freak!

No flames here. I'm in my 30s and grew up just outside Chicago and we always had Easter baskets filled with toys and candy growing up. We always had an Easter egg hunt too. Most people I know grew up getting Easter baskets with toys and candy, but a few (DH included) did not--just an egg hunt. I just think it is a difference in traditions.

Now, DH and I do fairly elaborate baskets because our kids all have b-days right around Christmas, and to be honest, this year not one of the three received a single birthday present from us. We just told them that later in the year, we'd buy some summer toys. And we will yet.

DS6 is receiving a POTC basket. Target had/has all their action figures on clearance for $1-$1.50, so I bought a ton. He also needs a new fleece blanket, so I picked up POTC one. I had also bought all 3 lanyards that were POTC, so I might put his in the basket. He'll get a small white chocolate bunny and some "egg" bubble gum. I think that is pretty much going to be it.

DS3 is getting a Disney basket. He needs a folding camping-type chair and I found one on clearance at Walmart for $4, so he's getting that. He'll also get the new Mickey's Clubhouse DVD and probably Fox and The Hound too. Something we'd buy anyhow. I'm thinking I'm going to go to the dollar store and pick up a couple Disney items there (coloring books, crayons, notepad, kite, etc). He is also getting a HUGE chocolate bunny (major chocolate-holic).

DS 18 months is just going to get some bubbles for his bubble maker and a coloring book or two. Maybe some board books also. His basket will look pretty scarce. He'll also get a small white chocolate bunny; he hates sweet foods though so that's for me

Also, all three will get a new beach/pool towel.

For our Easter egg hunt--no candy--just small toys from the dollar store. Bouncing balls, small bubbles, stickers, magic growing towels, etc.

 

[princesspiglet]

I love hearing about everyone's traditions. They all sound wonderful. Now for DD4, we use the same basket we have used since birth and will continue to use until it falls apart. My DB and I still get the same basket we had when we were kids and we are 34 and 30! My basket is a shame, my dad found some pink duct tape( who knew it came in colors!) to fix it up a little! We aways did the same thing every year. We had an egg hunt and each plastic egg was filled with coins or a clue to the wherabouts of our basket. The last thing we found was our hidden basket. We had a few small toys in it, like bubbles or chalk, but it was mostly candy.

We will do the egg hunt with DD4 this year again, but she is not getting any candy in her basket. She is not a candy eater. She is getting a new pair of pink/pearl Disney crocs, the new Strawberry Shortcake movie, the new Barbie Fairytopia move and a few books. My mom is getting her a basket with a swimsuit, flip flops and a spring outfit.

Funny thing, even though my mom knows DH is a pagan and I am an agnostic, she still gets us a white chocolate cross! I grew up catholic, so it is just tradition and my mom would never break a tradition!

 

[pinkrose]

Pinkrose, my step daughter is also 10. This year I'm putting a book, new sunglasses, a purse and some accesories and a webkinz. I spent about $20 on her basket. She is really girly so I go to claires and get her little things from there.

Thank you very much! These are some very good ideas! I've been looking at the webkinz. I may get her the pink poodle one.

 

[tjmw2727]

I know in my case I would rather have the EB bring little toys and not ALOT of chocolate and candy. I am sure alot of other parents feel the same way. I don't put alot of toys and gifts in the easter basket (maybe a DVD or some matchbox cars) (although loving the idea from an earlier post about the Cars buckets) and a few pieces of candy. If we let him DS would eat chocolate for breakfast. Can you say sugar high all day

That's how our basket started - I didn't want to put in all candy so I just put a few fun spring/summertime things in that they didn't have yet. I probably spend less on the "toys" then I would for a basket full of candy. Jumpropes, sidewalk chalk and jax are not expensive and as I mentioned I would be getting them anyway. My dd's have the same baskets they had from year 1 (one reason why we aren't bringing them to WDW) they put them out and the EB fills them. Growing up we always got a paddle ball and jax and lots of candy and jelly beans. Once my dd's were old enough for them I had to put them in the Easter baskets

FWIW - my dd's get hew Easter outfits and we celebrate Easter at church and at a nice meal with family and friends but that really wasn't what the OP asked so I didn't mention it.

Lovin all the other ideas -

TJ

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

well, I was planning on a Webkinz - but they are apparently selling out around here - so it depends on if I can find them.....only a very little candy because DD9 eats very little of it after the first day and I end up throwing it away....I ordered her a few Jibbitz for her crocs.....will probably get a few spring/summer outdoor things...and a craft kit I put away some time ago, she seems to be into the craft paper punches so I bought an affordable kids craft kit.

we'll do egg and cookie decorating.....

 

[jennifer293]

I am 31 and Easter Baskets were ALWAYS a big deal in our house growing up. I remember waking up that morning and there being a HUGE stuffed bunny or duck or something of the sort and then a basket filled with everything under the sun, so that is just what I have always done. Dh's mom did the same with him growing up so this is what we thought was the norm..lol

Normally for Easter I get them things that they can use on our upcoming vacation, not a bunch of candy that will sit here forever. I too use their baskets over and over every year.

One thing we do is after they go to bed we hide eggs all over the living room and kitchen and when they wake up they get to find the eggs the easter bunny brought (yes I know easter is not about a bunny, but it is fun for the kids). We use these same eggs for the BIG HUNT later on in the afternoon at our family dinner at our house (about 60 people and they bring eggs too) My mom is in charge of the Golden Egg and she is in charge of the PRIZE that goes with it too..

 

[jillyjoey]

Growing up -- the Easter Bunny just brought candy (from Gene and Boots yum) and we hunted "real" Easter eggs, not plastic ones (that tells you how old I am).

I've transitioned to small gifts in lieu of the hords of candy. This year here is what I've bought:

DD(4)
baby doll (on clearance at Disney store for 7.99)
Parent Trap DVD
Princess sidewalk chalk
Princess jumprope/jacks set
Book
summer pajamas
Huge chocolate bunny (I keep this tradition)
peeps (no one eats them but heck it's tradition)
Reese's pb eggs (for daddy- he steals them all)
jelly beans (see peeps - no one eats them but heck its tradition)

DS(10)
model car (his current obsession)
Davy Crockett DVD
2 small Hot Wheels type muscle cars
Book on how to draw Disney characters (his other obsession)
summer pajamas
Huge chocolate bunny (I keep this tradition)
peeps (no one eats them but heck it's tradition)
Reese's pb eggs (for daddy- he steals them all)
jelly beans (see peeps - no one eats them but heck its tradition)

 

[kldmom2000]

My brother and I always got beautifully toy and candy filled baskets from my parents at Easter and I try to do the same for our 2 girls. We reuse the same baskets every year and just fill it with different things...

This year my 6 and 4 yr old DD's are getting 2 Webkinz each, a chocolate bunny and peeps, and my 6 yr old will get a CD or DVD while my 4 yr old DD will get a few Cars(the die-cast) (Yes, she's a tomboy and LOVES the movie Cars! LOL!)

 

[IcePrincess467]

Oh I am now wishing that I had a little one for Easter I remember when I was a wee little one goodvibes ) My parents always got me toys in an easter basket. A easter bunny(stuffed), limited chocolate, and some toys (and always a Barbie )

(I even remember getting Beauty and the Beast for Valentines Day the year it was released )

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hi there! we are going to Disney in May, so we are doing a backpack for each kid filled with stuff they can use on the plane and on the trip

My father likes to garden and is making the kids some cute gardening pails! a whole bunch of little kids gardening stuff in matching Wheelbarrows.

 

[mjrich73]

!

 

[mjrich73]

I love this idea. Did you get the CArs stuff at the Disney store? We are going to WDW in August and I was thinking oif some ways to incorporate that into DS's (3 1/2) Easter Basket. I also wanted to get him a little flashlight or nightlight becsaue this will be his first itme staying in a hotel and I know it may freak him out a bit, even if mom & dad are with him.

I found everything at Wal Mart. The flashlights were in the camping dept.

 

[Georgia]

My little 5 yr old will be getting the special kohls exclusive Easter Little Pet Shop, Cinderella III Dvd, and in the Easter Eggs we will put the disney pins for trading at the parks and disney dollars!

I've been looking at the Little Pet Shop stuff...my DD4 loves Polly Pockets but really likes the stuff that goes with them dog, cat, cars...and she loves the Ponyville stuff that McDonald's is giving out. My DH and I are not huge McDonald's fan but she is determined to collect them all...I may never eat there again after this.

I love the disney dollars in the Easter Basket!

 

[maddiesmommy2005]

Our baskets will include:

DS:9

• Hidden Mickey book
• disney dollars
• some candy
• Toys R Us Gift card

DD: 6

• Barbie Magic of the Rainbow DVD
• Sleeping Beauty doll
• disney dollars
• some candy

DD: 22 months

• Little Einsteins DVD
• Either Minnie Mouse or Annie from Little Einsteins doll
• disney dollars
• some candy