How to Create an Easter Basket for a Boy

Even when they've entered the doubting years and scoff at the existence of rabbits who deliver presents, all children love Easter baskets. The boy in your life will be delighted at whatever you and the bunny come up with (and you can take all the credit yourself).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic Eggs
• Grass Seeds
• Kites
• chocolate bunnies
• Children's Books
• Potting Soil
• Toys
• Wood Baskets
• Planting Containers
• Kite Strings
• Jelly Beans

1. Plan a few weeks ahead and grow a "live" Easter basket. Children love the novelty of finding real grass where they least expect it. (See Related eHows.)

2. 
    

   Nestle the grass-filled flat inside a basket that's just big enough to hold it snugly. Choose one that's large, attractive and sturdy enough to hold toys, school supplies or baseball cards long after this Easter has gone.

3. 
    

   Visit your local toy store and let your imagination take over. Your choices will depend on the boy's age and interests, but small puzzles, balls, toy cars (such as Matchbox or Hot Wheels), toy dinosaurs, bathtub toys and the classic Slinky (perfect for any age) will all fit tidily into an Easter basket.

4. Tie a brightly colored, rolled-up kite onto the basket's handle and put a ball of string inside. Add a note promising a day's outing when you can fly the kite together, thus sharing one of spring's greatest pleasures.

5. 
    

   Give your young friend a leg up on his library: Tuck a classic book or two into the basket. Choose titles he can read now, then savor with greater understanding when his childhood is long gone. Consider "Tom Sawyer," "Huckleberry Finn," "Treasure Island," "Gulliver's Travels" or any of E.B. White's masterpieces ("Charlotte's Web," "Stuart Little" and "The Trumpet of the Swan").

6. Encourage his interests. Include a family membership in the local science, natural history or art museum; or give him a gift certificate for golf, sailing or skiing lessons, either from you or from a professional.

7. 
    

   Don't forget plenty of his favorite Easter candy and colored eggs in solids and swirly patterns.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have time to grow your own Easter grass, buy flats of wheat grass at a grocery, pet supply or hardware store, and arrange them on the bottom of the basket.
• Avoid the temptation to give a boy a real rabbit, chick or duck. These live and very fragile creatures need the responsible, lifelong care of a grownup. The attentions of children can - and often do - prove fatal.

[gophergarden]

on 1/20/2009 Good basic instructions and suggestions.