Easter Basket Bonanza

Next to Christmas, Easter is my favorite holiday. I've been thinking about why and I think it comes down to family traditions. Growing up Easter was often celebrated in sunny Florida. It involved dying eggs, a new dress, Easter baskets, showing up late for church and of course, hunting for the Golden Egg. I'm a bit of a fanatic for a Golden Egg hunt...still as an adult! With children of my own, we have adapted many of the same traditions and while, we won't be in Florida this year I still delight in dying eggs, dressing them up in their Sunday best and making Easter baskets. 

Read along for my TAKE on Easter baskets for the baby girl, toddler boy and the six-year-old girl in my life. Hopefully, some of the ideas can help you build baskets for the children in your lives. Happy Easter!

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Maggie's Basket - 11 months

It's true Maggie doesn't necessarily need an Easter basket but matching Bunny felt bags (aka basket) the softest matching pajamas, bunny ears, a new book and Jellycat lovie are things that I find very hard to pass up. Plus I can never have a re-do on her first Easter!

Baby Girl Basket Goodies

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George's Basket - 3.5 years old

I truly think shopping for my son can be just as fun as shopping for my girls. There are so many darling toys and apparel available these days. Most years Easter overlaps with our Spring Break so we are sometimes in Florida and I tend to always include new spring/summer shoes, new swim trunks and beach or pool toys. This way I can fill their baskets with practical items too! One practical item new to the mix this year is an oscillating toothbrush...we may get a few eye rolls with this one but at least it will help to remove those sugar bugs!

Toddler Boy Basket Goodies:

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Lucy's Basket - 6 years old

Do you have a gift drawer or closet in your home? I have a few storage containers with goodies which helps my Easter basket supply. I like to get a lot of items on sale (hello J Crew Factory Sales and Target clearance aisles) where possible too which helps save me time and money when there are 3 kids in the mix! Some years we have scaled back at Christmas and done bigger gifts at Easter such as bikes or scooters...something that is more appropriate for warmer temps. This helps spread out the love especially for Lucy whose birthday is six days before Christmas.

6 Year Old Girl Basket Goodies:

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Candy

I add a few candy items into their Easter baskets but the majority of candy goes into the plastic eggs for an egg hunt. Jelly beans and chocolate bunnies are probably the only classic Easter candy "must haves" in my opinion. I'm not a fan of Peeps so I never add those and let's be honest, I often eat a bit of the candy prior to the holiday so I make sure to buy items I like! I love gummy candy and so do my kids - Paper Source sells the most fabulous gummy kebabs for practically every holiday. Your pediatric dentist will not approve but your kids will!

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Non-Candy Treat

My favorite non-candy treat is to make carrot shaped cellophane bags full of Pepperidge Farm, cheddar Goldfish Crackers. It's so simple and always an adorable addition to the baskets. I often make and give away to friends children as well. This would also work for Annie's Cheddar Bunnies or even orange jelly beans if you wanted a sweet option. 

To Make: