Easter is this weekend! I love blogging because can see what we were up to on past Easters.
Like two years ago when I was pregnant and made a delicious roasted chicken. Thinking of making it again this year.
Or last year when I prepared for Easter by making cute cupcakes! I didn’t quite get around to that this year.
However, I am looking forward to this year’s egg hunt because I think Hailey will really be into it. I just hope the creepy Easter bunny appears friendlier at this year’s event.
Though Hailey may really enjoy hunting eggs this year, I wasn’t sure whether or not to make her an Easter basket. I have fond memories of egg hunts growing up (and finding wayyyy more Cadbury eggs than my brother!), so I decided I was ready to get in on the fun.
I’m not against a Cadbury egg here and there, but at 18 months I don’t think Hailey needs a basket full of candy so instead I put together a healthier Easter basket.
Similar to stockings at Christmas, Easter Basket are notorious with being filled with junk food. Maybe it’s because we aren’t big candy people around here, but so much of it gets thrown away. Instead I decided to fill it up with fun and useful items that will make Hailey smile.
First, a new book! Hailey is really into books with simple pictures she can identify. I know she’ll love going through this one and pointing out dog (dah!), banana (nah-nah-nah), ducks (qua-qua) and on and on and on. I better prepare myself for a lot of ‘reading.’
Sidewalk chalk will be a lot of fun now that the weather is warming back up and I couldn’t resist this little duck since Hailey has been so into giving hugs lately… especially to Koda.
Moving on…
Springy pajamas? Yes, please! Somehow we keep running out of pajamas around here.
And for her sweet treat, dried fruit! I stocked up on dried mango, dried kiwi and dried pineapple at Healthy Home Market’s bulk bins. Hailey LOVES these.
So there it is, our healthier Easter basket! The best news of all is I got everything at Kohl’s and the total cost was $20. Now that’s SWEET.
What goes in your Easter baskets?
blackhuff says
I like that you are making a healthier Easter basket option. I hope that Hailey enjoys the Easter egg hunting and I hope that the Easter bunny is more friendlier looking.
Enjoy your Easter weekend.
Erica says
So adorable! My Mom always made the best Easter Baskets growing up and I remember them all vividly. I still pester her every year to make me another one but apparently almost-30-somethings aren’t supposed to want baskets anymore!
Emily S says
We’re making Parker a simple Easter basket – a stuffed animal, Gymboree bubbles (which we still haven’t tried), a bingo marker (if I can find it at the Dollar Tree; hoping this arts and crafts activity appeals to him), a new straw cup, and some Annie’s Graham bunnies for a treat.
Emily says
Love the healthy idea! Happy Easter! I have a 4 week baby girl and couldn’t resist to make her a basket. It will only have pacifiers and a few hats and a random things in it haha 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Awesome ideas! It is so nice to see a healthy Easter basket that is not focused on candy and chocolate. After all, candy should not be the focus of the Easter holiday celebration. Nice job :).
Jenny says
We are doing a very similar thing this year with our Easter Baskets. Garrett has just recently gotten very interested in Mickey so he gets a new Mickey stuffed animal, plate and silverware set and sippy cup. Davis even though he’s super young and will have no idea what’s going on is getting a new sleeper, a rattle, and pacifiers. I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to put inside some plastic eggs that G can hunt for but I’m thinking it will be some of his favorite snacks. I love te cute spring pajamas you found for H!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
First of all, I want those pajamas for myself.
Secondly, the first year I DIDN’T get an Easter basket was a tragic time in my life that still lives on in Mama Smart infamy. [I like to bring it up when I’m feeling offended. We were never warned!!! Nothing sadder than thinking you were going to wake up to an Easter basket and then…nothing.]
And lastly, we rarely got lots of candy in our baskets. My mom LOVES Christmas stocking stuffers, and consequently also loves stuffing our Easter baskets with small gifts and things.
jodie says
I have 3 of those books at work and my kids are obsessed. It is by far their favorite 3. Great choice!!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Seeing how I’m not yet a mom, I have yet to make an Easter basket. However, I was just lightly quizzing the hubby about it the other day. I asked him if I’d be the b@&!* mom for mainly throwing in toys and only one or two pieces of candy to make things healthier. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That book has been Aubrey’s favorite book since day one! She loves all the pictures of the babies!
Haley @ The Saucy Apple says
I don’t have kids, but I still loved this post! It reminds me so much of when my mom used to make our Easter baskets. No, they weren’t the healthy variety, but she always put a love of thought and care into making them. I really love your ideas, and I think I’ll probably steal them when I eventually have kids. 🙂
Kelli H says
You’re such a sweet mama!
Whitney says
Very fun and creative basket! I say keep the candy/junk food away from Hailey as long as possible. 🙂
Lauren B. says
Great ideas! The pictures with the lake in the background are so pretty. Jackson won’t be getting a “basket” this year (he’s only 7 mos old!) but we may get him something special to commemorate his first Easter Sunday. I guess I better get cracking on that!
Happy Easter Brittany! I know Hailey will love all of her gifts!
Chantal says
Penny is getting beach/sand toys, a golf set and a book! And maybe she can share some chocolate with Daddy if he’s nice 😉
Erika says
I’m looking forward to giving our 19 month old son his Easter basket. Pajamas, bubbles, books, some Hot Wheel cars, goldfish crackers and a music maker. No candy! He hasn’t had any and doesn’t need to yet.
Maria says
Oh gosh. There’s something about baby/toddler pajamas…I can’t stand it.
I made some mini Easter baskets for my cousins a few years ago and found these fun Crayola bathtub drops. They turn the bathwater different colors and are so much fun. Their parents said they loved those more than the candy 🙂 #bestcousinever
Ashley says
First, we keep running out of pj’s, too! What gives?
Second, I just downloaded that book on Kindle for my little one, and he loves it, so happy reading!
Third, we did a “healthy basket”, too. Chalk, colored pencils, bubbles, goldfish crackers, marshmallows, playdough, and a Melissa and Doug play fruit set for the play kitchen.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Very cute!!! I love this idea!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
I did a healthy Easter basket post too! Love your dried fruit in baggies idea! I included raisins, dried apricots, Barbara’s Oat crackers and some healthier M&M’s. Although I’m not sure my son will know what to do with the M&M’s since he’s never had anything like them!
Danica @ It's Progression says
All of these items are super cute! She’s going to love her Easter basket.
Sabrina says
So cute!
Raffi has that book and LOVES it. He reads it every day and loves going to his favorite pages to point things out.
OUr Easter basket has sidewalk chalk, stickers, bubbles, a fun bunny cup, and a ball. And then we did a little egg hunt – I filled the eggs with his matchbox cars!
Neil Butterfield says
Great idea Brittany. You are teaching Hailey from an young age to not depend on unhealthy sweets to enjoy life.