Have you got Easter Baskets done yet?

Yep, it's coming up....do you have your Easter baskets done? What do YOU put in baskets? Candy upon candy? Toys? Do they just get one big present?? Do they get no baskets?? Yes, this is a religious holiday, and in our house, we try to talk about what the real meaning of it is, and why the Easter Bunny brings presents. Our "theory" is that Jesus died on the cross and as a present for US God raised him from the dead and we celebrate this because it means we will have everlasting life....and the EB brings presents to symbolize the present that God gave us. Hiding and coloring eggs, well, that's just fun stuff. I think the kids are beyond thinking that the EB is real, mostly because Dad plays the EB at the work Easter party for the kids every year. But they still play along, and that is cool.

Easter baskets can be very expensive though. yeah, you could go the route of buying some premade one, or you can do it yourself. Our baskets don't usually have a lot of candy- usually a bag between the 3 girls, maybe 2 bags depending on how much is in the bag. The rest is "fun stuff". This year they are getting a shirt (Aeropostale and children's place is having HUGE sales right now- shirts were $1.99 at children's place, and at aeropostale I got 3 shirts for $22 total after tax! I also got a couple shirts at Limited too/Justice, and those were less than $5 each!), they are getting a "stapleless stapler" I got for each of them ($2 each on clearance at Walmart), the 2 girls are getting a "littlest pet shop" toy for $7 on clearance each at Walmart, and oldest is getting "skins" for her DS of her fav character for $5 on clearance at walmart. They are also getting (from dad!) each a new game for their DS that were at Gamestop (www.gamestop.com) for $5 each or less! I think they will be very happy with their baskets....candy isn't really an issue! Add some beautiful big apples or oranges, even a thing of strawberries or grapes if you must add food.

I totally say think outside the box for presents for the baskets, go to walmart, target, etc and shop the Clearance sections! All the baskets don't have to be the same, and they don't have to spend a lot on them! Each child is unique so they have different things they like. Luckily 2 of mine are still "similar" so they are wasy to shop together for, but the oldest...ya know...13 yrs old isn't into kiddy stuff anymore!

Oh, and don't forget Goodwill and other thrift stores! you would be AMAZED at the "new" stuff there, and the like new stuff. And if your child is without a basket, those places always have them, and MUCH cheaper than a store! Have fun dressing it up with ribbon, spray paint it, get creative!

Easter isn't complete w/o coloring eggs. Yes, the Paas are cheap and easy to get, and overall fun to do, but one thing my parents started with me, and it is a blast for the "science geek" in the family, is to NATURALLY color eggs! Here's a great site to have a guide to what foods color what kind, and how to do it well! http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/EasterEggDye.htm This is fun and much better for our kids bodies! Have you noticed that the paas seeps through the pores in the eggs (heaven forbid you have a crack!), well, these naturally done eggs will be just great because even if it does soak through, it is natural dye instead of crap chemicals! The colors are unusual, everyone will love them, and it is just a great thing to do! One thing my dad started is he takes a very very small spot of oil and oils the outside of the eggs, makes them just SHINE! beautiful!

I would love to see pictures of your great Easter Baskets and naturally dyed eggs! Please post when you do!