EASTER BASKETS - Fun & Creative

Easter Baskets are one fun, creative and one of the greatest guilty pleasures of childhood.

As a child, the Easter Basket was a vessel of delight. Tucked in a sea of colorful 'grass', chocolate and jelly beans tantalized young appetites. Planning either a slow or quick assault on those goodies was a major decision. These days, parents are more concerned about making the Easter Basket something more than just a repository of refined sugar.  Don't leave out the traditional goodies, but in these economic times you can have your chocolate bunny and eat it too.

Here are a few ideas to make your Easter Basket healthier and more frugal.
CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS - This is a more healthy alternative than straight chocolate. Almonds are tasty and they have the 'good' fat in them.

YOGURT COVERED RAISINS - Like the almonds, a healthier alternative.

PLASTIC EGGS - Got to a dollar store or someplace where plastic eggs are sold. Then fill them with peanuts or jelly beans or plastic dinosaurs or gummi worms or whatever. It is one of those double pleasures for kids. First the egg is intriguing and then when they open it up, viola!

HOMEMADE TRAIL MIX - If your plastic eggs are big enough, consider making up some homemade trail mix. Take raisins, nuts, dried fruits, some unsweetened cocoa nut, mix it all together. Even if the plastic eggs are big enough, a small bag with a colorful ribbon will sparkle in an Easter Basket.

HOMEMADE CANDIES OR BAKED GOODS - It may take a little bit more time, but it always go over well. It is one of those things memories are built on.

‘FAST FOOD' TOYS - You'll find these at yard sales and they'll cost next to nothing. They make good fillers in the Easter Basket. A Frugal Yankee looks for these type of items all year long. Then put them aside for when needed. This is also a decent Stocking Stuffer come Christmas.

BUBBLE MAKERS - You can buy this at any kid's store or dollar store. You can also make you own. See our easy recipe.

BUBBLE BATH - Not necessarily for the boys in your family, but this is still a frugal, fun addition to the Easter basket.

NOVELTY TOOTH BRUSHES - Check around, there are some brushes that come with flashing lights. The lights flicker for as long as your child should brush their teeth. Fun, instructional and frugal.

FUNKY FLAVORED TOOTHPASTE - The idea is to promote dental health especially when considering the traditional Easter Basket does not promote dental health.

PARTY FAVORS - Look for discontinued items at party stores, again they’ll be cheap. This is again one of those items you look for all year long, buy and use when needed.

HAIR RIBBONS & BARRETTES - Not your traditional item seen in an Easter Basket, but with imagination you can see how nicely these fit in.

GLUE STICKS - Promoting creativity and imaginative play is a great way for children to learn. Adding a glue stick does both.

GLITTER - Kids will love this, but sometimes you'll find glue stick and glitter can lead to some unusual decorations.

STICKERS - How many times have you seen stickers for free at the dentists office or the doctor's office? Take advantage of their largesse, take some and wait for the appropriate moment to give them. Putting them into an Easter Basket is one of those moments.

A JUMP ROPE - Fun, frugal and exercise, that's a triple winner.

WRITE A LETTER from the Easter Bunny to your child. Be creative and send positive messages.

DISPOSABLE CAMERA - If you have an activity planned for the day (zoo, hike, big sit down dinner) make the child the ‘Official Easter Photographer'. When the pictures are developed you can all relive the day.

COLORING BOOK - For those who are creative & frugal, find some computer clip art, put on a page, and then print in black and white. Pu into a three ring note book and you’ve got a homemade coloring book)

MAKE AN AUDIO TAPE or DVD of one of your child’s favorite books, with you doing the reading. Be sure to include a tone for turning the page. It will be a reminder of you when you are apart.

BOOKS - Find some inexpensive books at discount stores, yard sales or even at library sales. Look for books with activities in them, doll cutouts, actions coloring etc. There iare very few things like promoting reading to help a child grow.

CHOPSTICKS - Free from a Chinese restaurant. hey, teh price is rigt and it will help create discussions about different people, different foods and teach new motor skills.

Here are some other ideas:

PLAY-DOUGH or MODELING CLAY,  SLINKIES (one of my faves!) JACKS
, FRISBEE, FANCY SHOELACES, FORTUNE COOKIES, 
NOTE CARDS
, PENCILS & PENS, SEED PACKAGES, CRAYONS, RUBBER STAMPS & PADS.

There are more ideas out there. All it take ia moment of tow of thinking, a touch or creativity and the wonder of a child to make the Easter basket something more than a repository of candy. Use this as an opportunity to promote something your child already likes or has expressed interest in. Then find an appropriate filler for the basket. One last thought, think outside the Easter Basket. Maybe the Easter Basket is actually a new lunch box or maybe a fishing tackle box. Just a thought.

How about your family? Do you have something to share with us? Leave a comment.

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From traditional tips to savvy perspectives, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. Be sure to check out Hollywood Breakdown in Gather's Movie Essential for some smart takes on the film business.