While the Easter Bunny usually makes his appearance in April, he will be coming a little earlier this year. It’s definitely time to gather all those goodies for baskets and egg hunts! When he came last year, the bunny left a scavenger hunt that helped my daughter find her basket. (Thanks a lot Bluey!) She enjoyed that so much, she has already asked the Easter Bunny for another one. So, I am collecting things for both.
In our house, the basket seems to be the big-ticket item so the eggs are pretty simple – a few chocolate eggs, a little money, and (now) a clue from the bunny. When we have done hunts with friends, I usually add a little more substance – crayons, stickers, small silly toys like Flinging Chickens, hair accessories… As long as things fit inside the tiny egg, I consider them fair game. There always seems to be so much Easter candy around, I really try to add other things whenever possible.
While there will be a chocolate bunny and a few other sweets, my daughter’s basket usually contains more than just sweets. The hardest thing about Easter baskets is finding stuff that isn’t just more stuff! There is usually an item or two she actually needs. There’s been new rainboots (twice), sunglasses, water bottle, any spring or summery things that need replacing. Things you go through quickly are always great basket additions too. Bubbles often need refilling, bath bombs get used on the regular, and she goes through a ton of craft supplies. As the bunny is can be quite generous, there is usually “more stuff” as well.
For this Easter, my daughter could use a new pair of slip-on shoes for the warm weather. She prefers cloud shoes to flip flops so she will get avocado ones. She is suddenly obsessed with everything avocado. I am always happy to include craft stuff as that really does keep her busy. Santa brought the wrong kind of weaving loom, she got a pot holder one but expected the traditional kind. The Bunny will rectify that. She’s done a bit of origami at the Atheneum but hasn’t been able to do that at home, yet. I will throw in some of the treats from the farm, chocolate covered Oreos, a gummy candy kebob and probably more. Since my daughter could really use a new backpack, the bunny will pack all of her goodies inside. (Just because they are called Easter baskets, doesn’t mean you actually have to put everything in a basket.)
If building a basket seems like a huge task, my professional advise is to start with a theme. Back in 2020, when we were
trying to spend as much time as possible outside, her basket was garden themed. Most of the things we needed to start our quarantine garden were in there – gardening gloves, kid’s tools, various seed packets and, everything was packed into a mini wheel barrow. As the weather is just starting to improve, “outside” is another way to go, especially for the little ones. Bubbles (you can always use more bubbles), a hat for a little sun protection, a fun flashlight, a critter case or bug jar, a new ball or outdoor play toy… pack it all up in a new beach bucket and you’re good to go. I’ve made baskets with so many themes over the years – painting, baking, science – there is really no wrong place to start. Whatever the bunny drops off, I think the appearance of the basket itself is what really wows them.
~ Kate O’Brien
Gift Manager & Professional Basket Builder