Easter Basket Inspiration

Trying to save a little money this Easter but want to still give quality gifts? For children and adults alike, get a little creative and use a themed multipurpose basket! Here's how:

General Tips for Saving Money on Easter:

1)    Assemble your own themed basket instead of buying a pre-made one.

2)    Buy general things such as baskets, fake grass, or plastic eggs right after Easter to save for next year. They are more likely to be on sale!

3)    Reuse old Easter baskets or buy a “multipurpose” basket such as a lunchbox or beach bucket.

4)    Shop at thrift shops, $1 stores and the beloved Ebay.

5)    Make your own treats instead of buying candy. *This can also be a healthier option*

6)    Buy one thing they really want instead of a bunch of little, cheap toys that will break or soon be forgotten.

Themed Basket Ideas for Younger Children:

For Fun in the Sun: If you live by the beach, try using a beach bag or wrap everything in a beach towel. If you want to prep for summer, you can buy a blow up wading pool and fill it with shared things for all your children and have buckets or pails with goodies for each child. Items could include beach toys (shovels, buckets, beach balls, etc), flip-flops, swimsuit and sunscreen. If you have older children or teens, a nice pair of sunglasses or a gift certificate to buy a new swimsuit are great suggestions. All these gifts are fun yet practical and will last a lot longer than candy and treats.

                         

For the Gardener: You can easily create a fun garden themed basket using a watering can or flower pot and including various tools from the $1 dollar store and seeds. Turn this into a fun family project by starting a garden!

                                    

For the Girls: For a little girl, put together a doll themed basket. You can get a doll playhouse from a thrift store or garage sale and fill it with things for the doll and child. You can even sew your own clothes for the doll. Another great idea is getting a dress-up box and filling it with dress-up clothes and/or make-up. Spark the imagination with the typical princess costume but also search around garage sales and thrift stores for fun and inexpensive items.

For the Active Child: For a basket tailored to an active child or to promote activity, theme it around sports. No matter what your child is involved in (swimming, baseball, football, dance) fill it with things they’d need to practice with anyways. You can even substitute all the Easter candy with power bars and Gatorade. Other healthy snacks could include: goldfish, granola, fruit and nuts.

                                             

Themed Basket Ideas for Teens and Adults:

For the Chef or Baker: Use a giant mixing bowl as your Easter basket and put in a cook book! To make it really special, personalize it and scrapbook your own family recipes. You can also include an apron, ingredients for your child’s favorite thing to bake, or a gift certificate to a grocery store. This is perfect for anyone who loves cooking or baking, or even that child that just moved out and is learning to be on his or her own. Again, practical and fun!!

For the Photographer: Create a fun and unique gift basket themed around photography. Get a disposable camera and give your child a coupon to develop it on you. Include a photo frame or photo album. If you really want them to get creative, include scrapbooking materials such as construction paper, tape, glitter glue, and fancy edged scissors.

For a Date Night Out: Treat your Teen to a date night out! Use a popcorn tub as your basket and fill it with candy, popcorn, soda, and movie tickets. You can also include a gift certificate for dinner before hand or coupons to cook his or her favorite meal.

                                            

In any themed basket, throwing in a chocolate bunny will keep the Easter spirit alive.