Tip of the Week

By Tawra Kellam
LivingOnADime.com


Easter Basket Ideas:

A reader asks:

Got any inexpensive ideas for Easter gifts for the kids? Also, do you have any ideas that would focus on the real meaning of Easter and not just bunnies and eggs?

Easter is a great time of the year to celebrate, especially if you have the hope that comes from Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Here are some ideas for Easter gifts. Try some of them and if the creative juices start flowing, make up some of your own! Try our Resurrection Eggs, they are a great idea to help your family remember why we celebrate Easter.

Easter Baskets:

You can find inexpensive Easter baskets at garage sales and thrift stores. I never spend more than .25 for one.

If you don't have Easter baskets, you can also use:

• Plain wicker baskets   
• Baskets spray painted an Easter color   
• A cute straw hat   
• A pail for the sandbox   
• A bowl wrapped in tissue paper  
• Paper sacks that the kids decorate.
• Cut out pictures from magazines or use stickers.
• Glue or stick them on and then paint or color around them.   
• Any sort of plastic storage container.
• These often can be used later for storage.   
• For a "family" Easter basket, set a nice plate on the table with Easter grass and goodies arranged on the plate or platter.
• This is great when you have older kids.

Fillers for Easter Baskets:

• Buy candy after Christmas or Valentine's Day at half price and keep to fill Easter baskets.  
• Make Easter cookies in the shapes of bunnies, eggs, crosses or any other Easter shape that comes to mind and decorate.   
• Popcorn Balls or Rice Krispie Treats colored in pastel colors.   
• String Froot Loops onto yarn and tie to make a necklace.   
• Don't fill baskets. Instead put jelly beans and candy in plastic eggs so the kids can fill their own baskets. You can also put nickels, dimes, toy soldiers, bugs, stickers, barrettes or hair ribbons in the eggs. Hide them outside or in the house if you live in a climate where it's usually cold on Easter.   
• Make coupons for getting out of chores, staying up late one night, having a friend over for a sleep over or a special dinner that they like.   
• Include like new books purchased at garage sales or thrift stores.   
• Homemade slime, play dough, sidewalk chalk, bubbles or the ingredients for crystal gardens.   
• Wacky crayons- Crayon pieces melted together in a muffin tin to make a "big" crayon.  
• Flower seeds that the kids can grow   
• Mini-stuffed animals purchased at garage sales or on clearance the year before.  
• Paper dolls or coloring books. There are many available on the Internet that you can print yourself.   
• For teenagers, put these items in baskets: lotions, soaps, suntan lotions, fingernail polish, movie tickets, tickets for getting out of a chore, ticket for $5 worth of car gas, clothes purchased on clearance and of course lots of candy!   
• Leave a trail of jelly beans or candy kisses from their rooms to their Easter baskets.

Easter Kisses

Put some Hershey Kisses or chocolate chips in a plastic bag and attach the following poem:

    This cute little bunny has hopped all day
    Been delivering baskets for the holiday.
    His paws are so tired and his little nose itches.
    He left you something special-something to fill all your wishes.
    These cute little hugs and Easter kisses.

Jelly Beans Easter Party

Put 1 Pound Jelly Beans into a bag and attach this poem:
 
    RED is for the blood He gave.
    GREEN is for the grass He made.
    YELLOW is for the sun so bright.
    ORANGE is for the edge of night.
    BLACK is for the sins we made.
    WHITE is for the grace he gave.
    PURPLE is for His hour of sorrow.
    PINK is for our new tomorrow.
    A bag full of jelly beans colorful and sweet,
    Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat.

Easter Carrot Treats

Buy disposable plastic decorating bags and fill them with orange jellybeans or cheese balls. Then stick some green Easter grass in the top of the bag (leave some hanging out) and secure the bag with a rubber band and then ribbon so that it resembles a carrot.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt, by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes, including gardening tips, visit LivingOnADime.com.  Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.