Cheap Easter Baskets That Don’t Look Cheap

Everytime I see the pre-made baskets in stores I wince. Who pays that kind of money for cheap crap? If you would like to give an easter basket, here’s how to make one an inexpensive one without looking like a tightwad.

• Use a recycled basket or buy after Easter. – There’s no need to go out and buy a new flaming pink basket, but if you want one buy it in the week after Easter the year before. If you are giving the basket to your child, simply recycle the basket each year. If you’re giving it to someone outside the household, you can recycle a basket given to you OR use any other basket (which they might actually be able to use the rest of the year). No one ever said the basket had to be pastel, just use any old basket and attach a few pretty bows.



• Skip the commercial grass – Commercial plastic or paper grass are a waste of money and that stuff gets everywhere. If you want your goodies to rest on a bed of something (which is a nice way of getting away with putting less in the basket), try shredded newspaper or old packing peanuts (might as well recycle them if you’ve got ‘em). If you want more color, try shredded catalogs, junk mail or magazines. You can also use a pretty tea towel or washcloth from the dollar store if you’re giving it to an adult.
• Don’t go crazy with the candy. Most people will have stuffed themselves full of Easter candy long before the holiday anyway. Almost all kids appreciate any kind of candy, so it’s safe to buy the cheaper bulk packs or you could always substitute inexpensive trinkets and toys. Adults might appreciate some homemade fudge or some fresh baked cookies.
• Consider alternative content. If you know the recipient just isn’t into sweets for whatever reason, you can easily turn an easter basket into a spring time gift basket. Try a pair of gardening gloves and some seed packets. Or some candy-themed, bath products. Or a few different kinds of tea and some pretty, second hand china tea cups.

We’re not really doing the whole secular Easter celebration this year because my birthday was this week and Mr.’s family never did the American Easter thing. That hasn’t stopped me from eating obscene amounts of Cadbury Creme Eggs. I swear they put something in those things to make them so addicting.

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