Frugal Easter baskets

Easter was always one of my favorite holidays as a kid. My brothers and I each received a new outfit and an Easter basket from our parents, a chocolate bunny or egg from our church and had egg hunts all day long at church, at the grandparents' houses and at home. What's not to love? As a parent now, I realize just how quickly Easter expenses can add up. Here are some tips for creating frugal, but fun Easter baskets. They're so much better than buying the pre-packaged ones!

• Reuse Easter baskets from year to year. This idea is new to me. As kids, we received a new (albeit cheap) Easter basket each year. Instead of wasting money on a new basket for 18 years or so, get one worthy of reusing or passing down the first year.
• Reuse plastic Easter eggs. Plastic Easter eggs are a cute and convenient way to add small toys and treats to a basket, but there's no need to buy them every year. Once you're finished with them this Easter, wash and rinse the eggs, let them air dry and put them away for next year.
• Shop a year in advance for Easter items. I realize this is too little, too late for this year, but if you don't stock up on seasonal items the day after holidays, you need to start pronto. Most items are 50-75 percent off during day-after sales.
• Make homemade treats and toys. Homemade chocolate and peanut butter eggs are fairly easy to make, as are Rice Krispy treats and many other sweets. For other basket items, make some homemade play dough or create some coupons for your children to use. Coupon ideas include: A day out with mom or dad, choosing what's for dinner, picking out the next movie for family movie night and more.
• Shop your local Dollar Stores or dollar bins. You'll find some great, cheap toys for $1 a less at stores like Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Target, Wal-Mart and even in the dollar bins at your regular stores. Items that work well for Easter baskets include bubbles, stickers, yo-yos, and Matchbox cars. Frisbees, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk are also great choices that will get your kids outdoors and moving.
• Buy things your children need anyway. To make the most of your money, purchase items that are fun but that your kids need anyway. Examples include small notebooks, crayons, pencils and erasers. Coloring and activity books are also very affordable and excellent for taking on trips to occupy children in the car.
• Get ready for summer. Are you planning to hit the sandy beaches or perhaps just a local sandbox? Add some flip flops, sunglasses, lip balm and a beach towel to your kids' Easter baskets. Better yet, put those items in a little pail with a shovel. These can be used to build sand castles. Cheap pool toys can also be found for just a dollar or two.
• Enrich your child's mind with some books. Easter-themed or even regular books can be found in many stores, and they're cheap. Our Dollar Tree has a choice of at least 20-30 children's books at any given time. Be sure to give them a quick read through before you purchase them, though. I've encountered a few with grammatical errors; that's a deal-breaker for me when it comes to children's books.
• Watch a flick. Easter movies can be found for around $5 or less, but don't limit yourself to seasonal flicks. Many stores now carry cheap movies found in bins near the entertainment section.
• Get some help in the kitchen. As a kid, one of my favorite things to do was help out in the kitchen. I know this is true for my nieces and nephews, and I hope it's true for my son, too. The dollar stores carry many kid-friendly kitchen items like cookie cutters, wooden spatulas, mixing bowls and treat bags.
• Plant something. A small flower pot, packet of seeds, soil, gardening gloves and a small shovel make eco-friendly gifts for your kiddos. Seed ideas include daisies, wildflowers or herbs.

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite Easter traditions. Tell me, what were some of your favorite Easter basket items as a kid? What was a waste of money? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Easter basket picture courtesy of drewfer via Flickr. Marshmallow Peeps picture courtesy of TBoard via Flickr.