How do you put together an Easter basket for less?

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A few years back we bought Easter baskets on clearance that we knew the kids had been wanting and we reuse them every year, I even save the colored grass and reuse it, I have a lot of different colors so I can alternate them yearly. I try to buy items that are $1.00 or less and if I do spend more than $1.00 I make sure there is enough in the package to divide it between the kids. I have even made my own items in the past. I think beyond the traditional candy to put in. You can find stickers for .49 and tattoos for .88 at the stores. I am putting in craft items this year paintable suncatchers .49 (I already have the paint at home) ceramic paintable figurines (Same thing I already have the paint). You can do pens, pencils, markers, crayons, I bought a pack of mini mechanical pencils for $1.56 and there is 5-6 in the pack and this will get divided up. Cheese and crackers, inexpensive. I even buy items throughout the year on clearance and put them away.
There is so much you can find and do for cheap, you just have to look beyond the traditional basket items!

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I just had this BRILLIANT idea I am going to try: Instead of buyng the plastic wrap to wrap the whole basket, I'm gonna use dry cleaning bags and just add a bow! Plus you can cut the bag to fit! Cool!

I Don't Buy Baskets , I pull down ones I Have on Display and fill those.

I Reuse Grass OR don't use Grass at all.

I Reuse Plastic eggs

Buy stuff For Next yr. at 50 - 90 % off after easter.

I put consumables in their Basket. Stuff They really Need I would Be buying anyway.

I Get stuff Free with extra Care Bucks at CVS - ( I Roll those all Yr. )


I Dont' Give them too much candy - This saves On Cavity bills at the Dentist!!

I borrow kids music cd's from my friends and they do the same, burn them onto colorful discs and each kid get some new music in their basket. Its a good way to renew and reuse. This is also a good idea for baby showers and goodies for kids birthday parties. Just personalize with their name on it and they love that you took the time.

I make one basket for all of us (DH, DS and myself). We all like the same things for snacks and I don't buy too much - I think I spent less than $10 on candy altogether this year. I got a book for DS as well. His grandparents got him stuff too, so he'll have quite enough overall.

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~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2

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1. We reuse the baskets and the plastic eggs.
2. Look for deals on candy to fill the eggs with.
3. Dollar Tree for little notebooks, pencils, puzzles, coloring books, the fake grass, jump rope, and bubbles.
4. Look at the Target $1.00 section for items.

We re-use baskets, grass, etc.

I bought all candy (not a lot b/c we don't want to deal with the sugar rush!) and toothbrushes, toothpaste, at CVS, which made it free with ECB's, etc.

Bought pajamas, stuffed dolls, sunglasses, etc. all at super-clearance prices starting in January, so the kids have a pretty full basket. I spent $14 on DS's (two pairs of pj's and some little people animals) and about $15 on DD's basket (nightgown, stuffed Belle and the Beast, sunglasses, stickers).

We will color eggs using a coloring packet that I picked up last year at 90% off.

Michelle

I have older kids, so I can't just go with cheaper things that little kids like. Truthfully, I haven't really put much more than candy in the past couple of years. I pick the candy carefully, making sure I buy whats on sale, but nothing nasty that they won't eat. If I can afford to buy them new outfits for Easter, I will put those in the basket as part as their gift. If I can't afford a whole outfit, I will put an easter hat, and purse or shoes for the little one, and just new shoes for the older ones. My son is pretty hard. When he was younger it was just a new dress shirt, but now that he is a teen, I don't pick out his dress shirts anymore. I am thinking maybe a sports illustrated magazine for his gift this year. I am thinking of putting favorite healthy food in the baskets along with candy. Or some fruit roll ups. I don't buy them often, so they are a treat.

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I reuse the basket and plastic eggs. This year I found shredded colored paper for $1.00 at Joann's. I can reuse it or recycle. Also found lots of cute bubble stuff at the dollar store. Joann's had a cute pinwheel and Target had some plush peeps and small toys on sale. I have a toddler so did not buy much candy just some small knick knacks. I plan on putting some coins and cereal in the plastic eggs.
Catriona

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