The Art of the Easter Basket

I asked my godson’s mom to write today’s story called “The Art of the Easter Basket.” Enjoy her take on creating the perfect Easter basket for today’s kids. Easter is less than two weeks away so you have plenty of time to make the perfect basket too.

Wendy at 7 with the perfect Easter basket

My son is fifteen now and although he doesn’t believe in the Easter Bunny any longer, he sure believes in the Easter Basket. As a school teacher, I recommend compiling contents for your child’s basket that is age appropriate, useful for upcoming activities, and not necessarily full of candy. My son’s grandmother gave him his first Easter basket and it’s a tradition to leave it out on Saturday night before Easter Sunday for the “Easter Bunny” to fill. He knows the items will be small enough to fit in the basket (as not to expect an Xbox or new bicycle). The basket is always filled with useful but fun items that are age appropriate and tailored to his sports interests. He is a golfer so we usually include a few golf items such as golf balls, golf glove, Titleist mittens for cold weather play, or colored tees. Tuesday Morning has fun and unusual sporting items at low prices. He is also a snow skier and goes skiing every year around Easter so new ski items are fun such as gloves, packs of hand warmers, Clif bars, ski socks, or stocking hat. 

Gift cards are always a great idea for any age. We usually include several cards from his favorite spots: Chick-fil-A, Blockbuster, or Starbucks, but in small $5.00 amounts.

When he was younger we included spiritual books, summer pool/beach items for spring break, art items, and car-friendly games. Magazine subscriptions are fun as well as a current fund-raiser at our school so we’ll splurge and get him a Golf Digest subscription for the ole basket.

Now it wouldn’t be Easter without a bit of candy and snacks that are unique and some of his favorites. We typically shop for candy and snacks at Big Lots because they carry unique items. We always make sure to include a small chocolate bunny as a tradition because he knows it is an item that was always in his Dad and Mom’s basket back in the day. 

The entire basket is then wrapped in plastic cellophane ($1.00 package from the Dollar Tree) or colored plastic wrap (perhaps in your kitchen drawer) giving the basket a custom appearance that would make the Easter bunny proud.–Julie A., St. Simons Island, Ga.