How to Make Complicated Easter Egg Baskets

Easter baskets are traditionally for very small children, and filled to the brim with chocolate bunnies and hard-boiled eggs. The baskets were meant to celebrate both the return of spring and the Christian holiday. Both the bunnies and the eggs represented rebirth and new life. The pastel colors acknowledged the return of flowers, fruits, vegetables and berries. As children get older, the traditional Easter basket might seem a little silly, but with a little creativity and personalization, an Easter basket can be an excellent present for someone of any age.

Things You'll Need

• Baskets, beach pails, or tote bags
• Name cards
• Green paper "grass"
• Plastic eggs
• Jelly beans or small chocolates
• Small packages of quality candy or chocolate
• Small books
• Quirky keychains
• Small stuffed animals (preferably bunnies) or dolls
• Large colorful ribbons
• fresh flowers
• Gift cards (for older children or adults)

Instructions

1. Gather all the elements for your Easter baskets and divide them equally. If you are creating Easter baskets for more than one kid and expect that they will open them at the same time, it is essential that they receive an equal amount of each candy, book or toy as every other child. If the children are younger and near the same age, give each child exactly the same basket. This will minimize hurt feelings and fighting.

2. Take a small amount of grass and line the bottom of each basket. Push the grass into the basket to make an even layer.

3. Take the larger items (such as books, dolls or stuffed animals) and arrange them in the back of the basket, arranged so that the front of the books and the faces of the dolls are clearly visible.

4. Arrange the smaller items according to size so that the items do not block each other. For example, you would not want a gift card to be hidden behind a chocolate bar.

5. Fill the plastic eggs with jelly beans or small chocolate candies. Place them in the front of the baskets or on the sides, wherever there may be leftover space. If you have more than one basket, make sure each basket has an equal amount of eggs.

6. Fill in spaces with leftover grass and fresh flowers. Use the colorful ribbon to tie the name card to each basket.

7. Hide the basket in the living room, playroom or backyard.

Tips & Warnings

• The basket is only constrained by the limits of your imagination! Here are some other things you could include in the baskets:

• - fresh fruit or berries

• - costume jewelry

• - toy cars

• - small balls or baseballs

• - stickers

• - Kazoos

• - magnets

• - laminated prayer cards or poems

• - small candles, bath salts or lotions

• Don't buy expensive, over-the-top gifts for the basket. Even though Easter is a more important holiday than Christmas in the Christian calendar, it is not traditionally a holiday for gift giving. The Easter basket is meant to be a modest present to help young children get into the festive spirit. There's no reason to turn Easter into another holiday where children expect to get the latest gadget or toy.

References

• Martha Stewart Living: Our Best Easter Baskets

Resources

• Beauty and Bedlam: Creating Beautiful Easter Baskets