Designing Easter Baskets
Beautiful Homemade Basket
My memories of Easter as a child are that of church and celebrating Christ risen, a big Sunday dinner with family, a beautiful Easter dress sewn by my Mother, coloring Easter eggs, the Easter egg hunt and let’s not forget the basket full of goodies. Those same traditions I have passed down to my sons.
I still love the process of preparing the Easter baskets, even though my sons are 23 and 20. The younger they were, the easier it was to find fun little items to put into the baskets. Small toys and candy were the big items. Now they are older and one won’t eat sugar, while the other doesn’t need it with all the diabetes in our family.
Here are some alternative ideas that I have used:
- dried apricots (our favorite)
- beef jerky
- fruits & nuts
- deck of cards or small games
- movie DVD
- music CD
- books
- gift card for a favorite fast food restaurant
- money (they like this one)
- start a stamp or coin collection to add to each year
I always shop the day after Easter for the next year. You will find everything is marked down to 50% and usually much more. I have found some beautiful baskets for little to nothing. Don’t forget the little plastic eggs and grass. Remember that you have the entire year to pick up items for the baskets. Take advantage of sales and clearance items. Don’t forget to check out the dollar stores. I have had to buy very little during the years because I recycle and reuse. I reuse the baskets, grass and the plastic eggs every year–just remember to store the grass in baggies, I found little critters living in the grass one year!
Once you have everything in the basket, you can either wrap it with colored cellophane or better yet, I love to use the coarse netting that you can buy at any fabric store. I buy mine at Wal-Mart for 67 cents a yard. It makes a beautiful presentation. You may prefer not to wrap the basket at all. Either way, add a beautiful hand-made bow or some curly ribbon to finish it off. Use what you have.
I can't believe I ate the whole thing!
A few years ago, I had prepared my boy’s Easter baskets the night before. In the baskets, I had placed plastic eggs filled with jelly beans. There was a small package of peeps in each basket and I sprinkled both baskets with the bite sized wrapped chocolates. Oh, and of course, the chocolate bunny. I completed the baskets and carefully placed them on the chairs in the dining room. That night our beloved golden retriever (Goldi) feasted on everything in both baskets. She even managed to pop open the eggs to finish off what was inside. She ate the chocolates, wrappers and all! She pooped candy wrappers for days. So remember to put the Easter baskets up out of your pet’s reach.
Wishing you a Blessed Easter.
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