Peaceful Isle Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I am looking for items to put in my kiddos Easter baskets. Anyone find any great deals out there? Where do you all find stuff to put in your children's baskets? Do you do pre-made, or make your own? I would love ideas :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OH_Homeschooler Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I think it really depends on how you look at Easter. Is it a major gift-giving holiday, or just for tokens? I tend to go pretty practical with Easter stuff, using it as a chance to buy some new (necessary) summer clothing items and pajamas that are meant for warm weather so they don't have to wear heavy, fuzzy footies all summer! This year I'm getting each kid a DVD as well--for example, Frozen for my oldest because she won't stop talking about it. And I get some Easter candy, but I'm always trying to scale back on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 We always do our own baskets. My parents did the same. That way you can customize it to each child. Plus, I've recently looked at the pre-made ones and it looks like junk in them....toys that will break that afternoon. Some ideas that we've done in the past and are doing this year.... small bit of candy gift cards in $5 amounts My Little Pony sticker book Chuggington trains t-shirt with something the kids like on it flip flops DVD anything themed (this year my 9 yr old DD likes Minecraft and my 7 year old DD likes Frozen....so they will be receiving some items themed to those things....figures, plush, etc) Barbie doll None of the items are very expensive but I do tend to spend $50-60 on each basket because I hate getting the kids pure junk that won't be used or will break. So I will spend a little more to get things of quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I'd like recommendations for CDs of toddler/preschool stories for my daughter's basket (Bible stories would be excellent!) She is listening to music currently and I want to mix it up some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 It really depends what type of things you're looking for. If you want very inexpensive trinkets, stuffed animals, and plastic eggs, Oriental Trading Company is great. They have free shipping on any order through April 3 with promo code WCE4355. If you're willing to spend more, I love Etsy for all kinds of things--stuffed and crocheted animals, wooden toys, natural perfumes, knick-knacks, cloth crayon rolls, doll clothes, jewelry, play food, you name it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I may do swimmies and goggles this year - everyone's suits were done at the end of last summer. Art supplies? Fresh school supplies to finish out the year? My criteria for stuff to put in baskets has a lot to do with whether I'd find it lying around my house x4 in a couple of weeks. More and more I'm just leaving that stuff at the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OH_Homeschooler Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I may do swimmies and goggles this year - everyone's suits were done at the end of last summer. Art supplies? Fresh school supplies to finish out the year? My criteria for stuff to put in baskets has a lot to do with whether I'd find it lying around my house x4 in a couple of weeks. More and more I'm just leaving that stuff at the store. I've done swim suits often in the past, but I'm just going to wait this year because I'm not sure who needs what at this point and it seems like we'll never have swim weather this year! I'm also trying to cut way back on "stuff." It's hard because my parents always put lots of silly things in our stockings and Easter baskets and kids love that initial "Wow!" factor of seeing lots of plastic junk. But I'm really trying to make a conscious effort lately to avoid that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Basket from thrift store Horrible Histories book for DD9 Board book for DS0 A cute outfit from thrift store for each of them For fun I'm also buying everyone one of these pint glasses personalized with their favorite "thing" for Easter: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GlassBlastedArt DH is getting LoTR DD is getting a Tardis DS is getting a dragon I'm getting Ghostbusters As an added bonus I'm hoping it will cut down on the number of glasses that come out in a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 We have never done much for Easter baskets, nor have I ever really used baskets. One year I found very cute pastel rice bowls & used those to hold a few chocolate candies. Another time I found a set of small wooden square bowls & used those for candies. (We still use the wooden bowls every year.) Other than that, each child usually gets a book or two, plus some other item (cd, t-shirt, markers, etc...). We just set the items on the table for Easter breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 That's the thing. I didn't want just a bunch of junk. Thanks everyone for the ideas. :) I have seen some easter baskets on amazon, but none seem to appeal to me. I did get a killer deal there with easter outfits though! I found 15 and 17 dollar dresses, and vest suits for my little guys for under 20 dollars. I thought I might have the same luck with scoring on easter baskets from there, but nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 We do themes each year. I have done art supplies, pool stuff, books (A boxed set for each basket and small trinkets centered around it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I tend to go with practical + chocolate. And always decent chocolate--not the cheap fake stuff in the grocery bulk bins. In the days when I could just order the next size up swim suit from Lands End they used to get that. I've done flip-flops, pj's, shorts--build up their summer wardrobe (so stuff I would buy anyway). This year they both need several pairs of shorts, so it will be that, Dove chocolate eggs, maybe some nail polish or an emery board or something. Maybe sunblock. When they were younger there were always bubbles or sidewalk chalk or something like that (and they probably wouldn't mind some of that even now). They have pretty baskets that I re-use every year, though a couple of years I did a beach bucket which was then used in our sand box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 DH's side gig has always been with a church so Easter is a work day for us. We started our Easter basket tradition when DH had to do a sunrise service that meant, (because we were a one car family), we would all be at church from 5am until noon. Our baskets contain a few candy items, a few snacks that our kids consider treats (like yogurt covered raisins) and items that are meant to keep them entertained during the long Easter weekend. One year we gave an assortment of Papo figures, another year was puppets. We've given coloring books and stickers, games and bubbles. Some years we have a prevailing theme (like art items) and other years we have gone with individual interests (like the year all Bug wanted was Lightning McQueen themed items). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdrinca Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Last year we hid Legos in plastic eggs. It was very well received, and practical, too - as far as these things go. Each kid had an egg color to find (we have hundreds of plastic eggs accumulated from the years), so the kits didn't get too mixed up. In their baskets we put the instructions for their Lego kit, a small chocolate rabbit, and lots of shredded paper so they didn't look too empty :). We'll probably do it again this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Every year---- bubbles, sidewalk chalk, silly (spray) string -(we have silly string fights on Easter and use it all up in the front yard. This year I bought some battery operated glow in the dark shoestrings-- I thought they might like them for necklaces or something. I am "considering" sewing a dress or some shorts--- probably not since I don't sew very often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 We always try to get the kids new outside toys. Since they're still young that means we get them new chalk, replace broken sandbox toys, and usually one more "big" thing. Last year, we got them a bar/rings set for the swing set and sunglasses. Not sure this year... ETA: and of course some candy. But not too much since my mom and DH's mom both mail us Easter treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 We break up Lego sets-finding the eggs and building the set keeps her busy for quite awhile. She gets more than enough candy from egg hunts-she doesn't need it at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 We do a little very good chocolate, a CD or audiobook for each, a small not-junk toy (LEGO people, toob figures, yo-yo etc.)and usually some kind of art supplies. Sometimes lip balm, sunglasses or hair ribbons. Seeds and gardening gloves. Card games like Set or Sleeping Queens or Spot It. Mad Libs if a car trip is coming up. Flip flops. Bubbles. Flashlights. Tickets to something - a play, a ball game, a concert. We always get them each a nice book that is Easter related, something spiritual, not the Easter Bunny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 dd8 is getting a cute justice purse and sunglasses, a small notebook/pen anAmerian Girl book and traditional Easter candies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 For fun I'm also buying everyone one of these pint glasses personalized with their favorite "thing" for Easter: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GlassBlastedArt DH is getting LoTR DD is getting a Tardis DS is getting a dragon I'm getting Ghostbusters As an added bonus I'm hoping it will cut down on the number of glasses that come out in a day. Thank you! I found a Harry Potter glass that my oldest dd's boyfriend is going to love. I'll tell him to use it for soda and not for beer. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I wanted to chime in with buying baskets at Good Will and spray painting them. They come out gorgeous. I spray painted the first set a chocolate brown -- on a really large basket. Then after Easter we use the baskets to hold toys in their bedrooms. One year I painted baskets a silver color. Not pretty. Girl basket colors would be pastel pink, yellow, chocolate. They really came out cute -- I recommend. For fun, I'm thinking of a shiny gold this year. Even a creamy white with a neat bow on top. If I had a little girl, I'd totally do this: Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I am down to one basket - for my 22-year-old son with autism. He'll expect to wake up to search for plastic eggs filled with his fav candy (around his bedroom - with three cats and a Labrador I do not dare place eggs around the rest of the house). But I am filling a few eggs with power discs for the Disney Infinity game he got for Christmas....and cutting down on how much candy he gets by sticking the last playset (Cars) for Disney Infinity in his basket. In past years older (thus cheap) dvds or videos went into the baskets for him and his brother and sisters, along with sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, etc. (new toys for warm weather!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentlemommy Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 We don't do much candy or trinkets. I do practical. This year, I'm doing- Sunglasses Flip flops Pool toys Bathtub paint Book Sand toys Water guns/squirters My mom is getting them- Lego set Bathing suit Towel Goggles I'll do an Easter egg hunt and put a small amount of candy or coins in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lava Mama Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 I'll do an Easter egg hunt and put a small amount of candy or coins in them. I finally figured out (after 5 kids) that it is much cheaper and easier to put coins in the eggs for an egg hunt! I hated all the candy in the eggs, on top of the candy in the baskets. We have (literally) hundreds of eggs from years and years of accumulating them. $1.00 is 100 pennies! It only cost $5.00 to fill 500 eggs! Try to fill those with candy and you are talking at least $100.00. Plus, the kids love getting the money better than the candy! Ideas for the baskets: Girls: nail polish, hair accessories, notebooks & fun pens or pencils, books, toys like a slinky or yo-yo. Boys: Legos, books & magazines (Horrible Histories, etc.), science kits, sand toys, balls, DS games, food (my oldest is 14, so he is getting some of his favorite stuff like exotic cheese and crackers that we usually can't afford to get, as well as expensive chocolate). Once they get bigger (I have little ones as well as big ones, so they all get baskets), their tastes get more expensive, so we have gone towards food that they really like but we don't get often because of the costs of feeding a large family. I love the Easter baskets, but HATE filling the plastic eggs. Since I now have two olders, they are forced to do that "dirty work" for me! :) Hot Lava Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Thanks for all of the great ideas...I will be watching this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 ds is getting: The Wump World by Bill Peet, Life of Fred Apples, and Ready Set Read (three hardback but used books) A Folkmanis rabbit puppet Stuffed Pokemon (the broccoli dude, because I couldn't afford Pikachu) 2 Beyblades Felt food: berries and sugar snap peas Chocolate bunny A new, colorful short sleeved shirt Jelly Bellies in his Easter Eggs, which I hide around the house and if I can find someone to watch him while I go to the store, I can probably scrape together enough money for some crayons, scotch tape, a bar of soap, and whatever other art supplies and personal care supplies catch my eye. I don't think my olders still got Easter baskets when they were six and I know I didn't put as much "good stuff" in them. Christmas has a lot of baggage with the extended family that's easier to let go of now that we save the private, nuclear family celebration for a different holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 My boys are almost 9. In their baskets will be a Sklyander's Swapforce character, a Disney gift card (we leave in 24 days -- YEAH), baseball batting gloves, a few of their favorite candies, movie gift card, and a few other small items that I have put away and can't remember right now -- LOL. I think I'm also getting the "Jesus Calling for Kids" (kids devotional) to put in or next to their baskets. In their eggs this year will be Disney pins for trading at the parks, Lego minifigs, and some money (also spending money for their trip). Hubby is getting his favorite candies and the new Hobbit DVD. I might get myself the new Frozen DVD and put it in Dh's basket :-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 bubbles binoculars (dd7 is a bird nerd), Loverboy says we can get two sets for ~$50 from Walmart. I'm putting him in charge of this. small aquariums (1 gallon) to collect summer specimens of praying mantises, frogs, etc bugs and fish for pets (goldfish, and these blue death beetles) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Good thread...keep the ideas coming! We have to have the classic chocolate easter bunny in every basket. I agree it's harder when the kids get older. I like the Justice purse idea. Maybe I'll pick up something small there. Both ds will get beef jerky, gum, and a dvd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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