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.
Do you like to make your own Easter baskets for the kids? Please leave a comment below and share your ideas! I’d love to hear what you’re putting into your Easter baskets!
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Patricia // Mar 13, 2009 at 7:38 am
Many, many years ago when my girls were little I made them Easter baskets from plastic canvas and wool. I bought 2 kits and then with created lovely little baskets. These baskets were washable as well as durable. The nicest part is that although the girls are now 23 and 26 they still have their baskets that Mom made them. My initial investment has doubtless saved me many $$ over the years aside from not having to purchase an Easter basket every year they are not huge so they could be filled relatively inexpensively at Easter and the girl’s felt that the Easter Bunny had been very generous. They were a lot of fun to make too as plastic canvas embroidery is quick and very basic stitching so anyone who can sew a button on can do it.
2 Charlotte // Mar 13, 2009 at 9:32 am
Try using “untraditional” materials, like a sand bucket and shovel, a needed storage container, a basket that can be used all year long to hold books, blocks, etc. Like at Christmastime, I watch for things all year long at resale shops, super sales, etc. An older “child” may like a new top or shoes that I found for $1 on sale at Wal-Mart or another store that clearances out their stuff when the seasons change. Raising nine children (and now having 18 grandchildren)makes the skill of being thrifty a requirement. Check out my blog themanyroadshome.blogspot.com
3 Jennifer // Mar 13, 2009 at 10:09 am
I never knew that some people bought new, pre-made baskets every year. Growing up, we always had the same basket. It would have some candy, easter eggs… maybe a coloring book and crayons, or a book. Silly putty. That sort of thing. Not even stuck in a bag.
4 Courtney // Mar 13, 2009 at 11:26 am
I guess I never realized that people buy new baskets each year. Growing up my brother and I each had our own basket (mine looked like a lamb) and each year my mom would fill it with candy and a couple small toys and then hide it in the house for us to find. We always knew exactly which basket to look for because it was the same one each year.
5 MaryAnn // Mar 13, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I’m another one who never knew some people bought new baskets every year. I used the same baskets from childhood until last year, when I passed it on to my daughter – that makes it vintage, if not antique! The Easter Bunny always wrapped our baskets in different colors of cellophane, attached bendable Gumby-esque bunnies to the handles to show which one belonged to which daughter, and hid them in our house. As children, we received candy and a few small toys, and when we hit middle school, EB started tucking in plastic eggs with some money inside.
A thought: if you buy a new basket every year, what do you dowith the ones from the previous year?
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