How To Make An Inexpensive Easter Basket
If you’ve looked around at Easter baskets, you may be surprised at their cost. I’ve seen quite a few in Target priced anywhere from $14.99 to $19.99. Ouch! I always make my children’s Easter baskets myself which saves quite a bit of money. Plus, I can make a basket emphasizing the items I want (i.e. less candy).
Many years ago when I was in college, a friend who had young children told me that she saved her kid’s baskets from year to year. She would store them in her closet, and bring them out the following year where she would fill them with some plastic eggs that she filled with candy. I thought this was such a great idea and I remembered to do this when we started our family. Every Easter I use the same baskets and gift basket bags, but fill them with different treats.
If you are starting out without the basket, then head on over to the dollar store where you can find a nice assortment. The first year you’ll need to purchase the basket and a bag to enclose the basket in. Save the basket and bag for next year and you’ll only need to purchase the items to fill the basket. If I need to buy a new basket because one is getting worn out I buy it at the clearance sales after Easter. The clearance sales are also a great time to purchase the plastic eggs, grass, or the gift basket bags.
I like to theme the Easter baskets. Craft kits, scrapbooking, or outdoor fun are some of the favorites in my home. I usually place 5 items from the dollar store in each basket. This year the kids are each getting a stuffed bunny, color book and crayons, bag of jelly beans, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles. I place all the items in the basket, place the entire basket in the decorative cellophane gift bag, and secure the top with a ribbon.
To get some ideas for creating an Easter basket just check out the ones available in your local grocery store or discount store. Keep notes of which ones you like, what type of items they contain, and then hit the dollar store to find inexpensive substitutes. As always, you’ll have better luck finding items if you go early rather than waiting until the last minute.
If you found this post helpful, you can get free updates by subscribing via RSS or
By E-mail.
Less candy is good. Our baskets are filled with healthy snacks that will save the Dentist bill and all the wasted money in uneaten candy. Put something else like a video game or something in there too. Unlike the candy this gift will be used for some time.
I use a similar method to recycle the baskets. it’s a lot like christmas decorations. my garage has a variety of seasonal items. the biggest bang for the buck for my easter basket would be to use smaller baskets. less is more. it looks larger when filling more small baskets than filling larger baskets.
I agree less candy is good, with the pressures placed on our society around child obesity. It is an excellent idea to use health alternatives and items that will draw attention away from the fact that there is less candy.