I just saw an ad in a magazine, and the cute little girl in it was holding the cutest and simplest Easter basket: white wire with plaid ribbon woven through it. In it was a single chocolate bunny and a few chocolate eggs. That's it. Very minimalist, yet so perfect.

I have been through all the stages of the Ester Basket: craft basket, book basket, stuffed animals... partly because dd never has been able to eat candy and partly because I feel this strange need to make Easter another gift giving event.

I'm glad I stumbled on to this ad, because it made me realize that this year I want to do something simple but fun and festive. The kids have big baskets for Easter Egg hunting, but maybe I need to spruce up a couple of smaller baskets (paint, ribbons) for one or two smaller, consumable gifts.

Ideas? Comments? I have to get to work on this now... time seems to fly....

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

I love it! I am going to copy your idea. I think my kids would really like it! It will eliminate the stress of buying things we don't need. I feel guilty if I don't buy all of the stuff and guilty when I do.

I love it too! I get caught up in Easter and Valentine's Day too! I am trying to not let myself make such a big deal about it this year. I feel bad though because my DD's bday is in the middle of Nov. So I feel like she goes from her bday to Christmas and then all year with nothing else. I just need to get over it. My bday is 9 days after Christmas and it was that way with me too. It is hard not to go overboard when retailers are cramming it down your throat!

I like to go a bit big on Easter. They really only get things on Christmas, their birthdays, and Easter.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I Believe That Hershey's, And Every Other Chocolate Factory Abosolute Love Us. Why? Because We Buy Chocolate For Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, And Christmas. Not To Mention Some People Buy Those Really Expensive Chocolate Truffles To Send To People For Their Birthday/Special Occasions. All The Chocolate Ice Cream, Then You Have The Fun Size Snack Bars, Chocolate Syrups, Chocolate Rice Krispy Treats, Chocolate Cereals. Then The Cookies Such As, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oreos, Grasshoppers, Etc. Then The Chocolate Covered Prezels At The Bake Sales, The Chocolate Covered Doughnuts. I Really Wonder How Much Money Each Person In The United States Pays For Chocolate Each Year? How Much More Sugar Does Everyone Need? Sorry I Got A Little Carried Away, But I Was Just Trying To Say How Much Chocolate We Already Eat Because A Lot Of People Put Chocolate In Their Easter Baskets. Which Is Fine Too, But I Think The Egg Idea Is Great! And Maybe Some Coloring Books, And Non-Chocolate Items. Just My Opinion.

I always put together our own baskets instead of the pre-made ones in the store. I like to do outdoor toys since it's spring time. Some good, inexpensive ideas: bubbles, jump ropes, new sand toys, kites, sidewalk challk. Last year Wal Mart had plastic bats and baseballs for $2, so we included those. Throw in a mini chocolate bunny and some jelly beans, and that's about it. You can use plastic sand pails instead of baskets. Last year I found mini red wagons and used those instead of baskets.

That sounds like a good idea but I wouldn't be able to do it.

I don't go overboard on the baskets but I like to get small gifts in lieu of a ton of candy. I bought my girls each a disney princess set on clearance (purse, sunglasses, toy cell phone, etc).

One of my son's birthdays is actually on Easter Sunday this year. I'd love to get away with your idea, but I don't think he'd let me this year. LOL!

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My Mama always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
(Forrest Gump--1994)

This is what I'm going to do from now on - more of an outdoor Welcome Spring thing vs just a bunch of candy. He'll get enough candy from his grandparents next door - we can spare adding extra fuel to that fire.

Does everyone use that blasted Easter grass or do you use something else? I tried using plain tissue sort of crumpled/bunched up last year, but it didn't turn out well. Maybe this year I'll try a piece of fabric or some normal tissue put through my MIL's shredder.

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Awww. My oldest's birthday was on Easter when she was 2. She loved it that the Easter bunny came on her birthday.