Here are some cheery ways to fill an Easter basket (and don’t skip on the sweets)
Easter is on its way, pandemic or not. Maybe that means you need to get ready for an Easter Bunny visit at your house. Maybe fill some baskets? I have three kids, and since they were little it’s been a challenge to “help” the bunny fill baskets.
There’s no getting around it — Easter season is the very best for candy. I don’t need to tell you what candy to buy, because everyone has favorites. No lame candy canes at Easter. No weird peanut butter chews (Looking at you, Halloween — although, honestly, I’ll eat them). No heart-shaped boxes of nougat. What is nougat anyway?
Easter is the best candy season. Reese’s eggs? Yes. Jelly beans? Most of them, yes. Marshmallow eggs? Yeah, I’ll go there. Anything Cadbury? Definitely. Peeps? No. Not those. Why doesn’t the Easter Bunny bring me a basket? The grownups would probably really appreciate one this year. In any case, nobody needs help figuring out candy.
Themes for your Easter basket
Our Easter Bunny likes to put a few non-candy extras in the basket. I don’t often lean toward toys to fill out the basket. At Easter, I usually feel like I’m still looking at untouched Christmas stocking items in everyone’s rooms. But maybe your kid is on to something new, and you can go with a whole new character- or obsession-themed basket.
Our Easter Bunny likes to consider Easter the beginning of summertime, and that is the “theme” of the basket. The bunny and I start with things you might need to buy for summer anyway. They just look cute put together in the basket. Everyone needs a fresh pair of flip-flops. Last year’s are probably too small or destroyed or both. Sunglasses and hats are perfect summer accessories. You could throw in a fresh new swimsuit or beach towel. Sidewalk chalk is a favorite here. Maybe some bubbles. Anything pool or beach-related. A new nail color for the DIY pedicure? You were probably going to buy it anyway. Now it’s a cute addition to the basket.
What about a camping theme? You could fill it with s’mores ingredients, flashlights and trail mix. Add a water bottle or camping mug. Depending on how your family rolls, you could either actually camp in the backyard or just pretend to camp. A camping themed evening, if you will. Which ends with everyone in their own beds.
At the rate we’re going, your kids may need a quarantine survival basket. Consider some new puzzles or games. Or you could get some fresh art supplies. If you want some screen time peace and quiet, go for a new video game or movie — I’m not here to judge you. I’m sure I’m not the only one ignoring the American Academy of Pediatrics’ screen time guidelines right now. This is about getting through the day. Teens might like gift cards for some new apps or games. They may have worn out their earbuds by now and need a new set. My 9-year-old daughter would like new books. She will be out of reading materials by Easter.
You know what else would be fun this year? Make a mini basket for someone and send it to them. We could all use some day-brighteners, and to know someone was thinking of us. If you’re in the area, you could drop it at their door and run. What a nice surprise that could be for an older neighbor (prepared with safety precautions, of course). When was the last time they got an Easter basket? And now when was the last time they got to be with people? That could mean the world to someone right now.
However you and the bunny fill up the baskets, consider this your reminder: It’s almost time. We all have a lot going on and things are crazy, but kids are still going to need some normal in their lives.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 10:58 AM.