Post your ideas here! How do you save on Easter basket goodies, cards, food, or anything else Easter-related?

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goodwill is a great place to pick up baskets and even eggs...I got a whole bag of eggs for an egg hunt for like .75.I also put I.O.U. in some eggs for the hunt...specail dinner/breakfast...movie/game night-their choice...etc.

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This year we aren't doing baskets--which unless your reuse them, seem like a big waste to our family. We found really big beach buckets with shovels and toys. We are using these to hold what we get the kids. They will get more use out of them this summer than a basket would, and they were a dollar.

Like I mentioned, I use Chuckie Cheese tokens instead of money or useless tiny items to fill eggs. The coupon for tokens was in Sunday's newspaper. It is 100 tokens for $12.50.

We also concentrate on the religious aspect of the holiday. There is so much to do at the church leading up to Easter. Like at Christmastime, we concentrate on giving to those who are without so we already have a food box and a separate cash donation that we're giving.

We borrow themed books from the library instead of buying them. Why are there no good Easter books anyway? They are all either too young or boring as heck.

DD already has a dress and shoes. I don't feel a need to go out and buy new clothing. We always get her fanciest dresses at the thrift store anyway. The one she will wear costs no more than $5.

We also build memories instead of give stuff. DD will get a few items I was going to buy her anyway (a DVD, a book and yes, I got the Mr. Potatohead Easter bunny costume). Otherwise we spent the bulk of our money on an Easter egg hunt / train ride with friends.

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We're not using baskets this year either since they have so many so I picked up two of the big plastic fillable eggs and put in some small toys and goodies found at the dollar store and 99 cent store.

Plus I always reuse the plastic eggs and refill them with cool odds & ends!

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~ Jessica

WE reuse the easter baskets every year plus then I use them to hold napkins and other stuff during the year!! Or books in there rooms to decorate!!

I do get things they need like tanks for summer and tights they will need for there dance recital!! and I do get them a cd (yes thats a bit more ) my kids LOVE music! so I feel that is a good thing!! we use the music in the house to dance to and make memories as a family!! then I find a neckalce that is religous!! and some stickers!! etc!!

I did not know anyone ever bought new baskets every year! I bought one when each kid was born and they have used it every year!!! I always put a t shirt in my kids baskets and I just have to go to my stash and pick one out. I buy them when I see them on clearance usually less then $2. I got a bunch of candy at family dollar. I buy the packs with 6 little chocolate bunnies and give one to each kid or the bags of bunny munny and open them up and divide between the kids. I also pick up little lego or bionicle toys when I see them on clearnace and use those. My youngest is getting an aquadoodle Elmo pad which I had stuck away that I bought on clearance for $2 You just have to keep your eyes open all year! Also I bought a bunch of plastic eggs for our egg hunt last year after easter really cheap.

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This year ds is not getting a basket. After Christmas I found moon boots on sale. He's wanted those for the past 2 years for Christmas. So he'l get the moonboots and a little candy.

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Mary

I didn't know anyone bought new baskets every year either. We just reuse. However, ds had a car and we realized last year it tipped to the side when he carried it (poor design) so it was horrible egg huts, so he got a new one at 90% off and dd who was born right after easter got one at 90% off and she will always use it. They use there basket for any egg hunts that we go to and they set it out the night before easter. Last year rather than buy a bunch of candy that ds does not need, I bought him one thing he wanted and I did the same this year. dd will get some puzzles I bought for 10 cents apiece after easter last year.

We always reused our Easter Baskets. As ong as they are put away with care the previous year, they can be used over and over again.

When DD was 9 month old, we asked family members not to indulge in candies for her. (That year, she received 4 summer outfits, and a BIG basket of finger foods, and baby food. The items included in the basket were used with joy. No candy thrown away)

Now that she is 2 1/2 we fill her baskets up with books and age appropriate games which she loves. She still gets 1 Choc bunny and some peeps, and all the "goodies" found in the Easter Eggs.