Alternative to the Traditional Basket

We haven't celebrated with Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny in over 10 years. No Tooth fairy either. I'm certainly not condemning those who do these things, but my husband and I thought that a.) We shouldn't lie to our children, and b.) It took too much emphasis off of God, and the true reason that we celebrate Christmas and Easter. That being said, we still give gifts, and have Easter baskets. The gifts are modest, and come from us rather than some fictitious character. We find that our children are very appreciative of what they receive, because they know the givers.
Last year, we decided to fore go the traditional Easter baskets. Instead, I bought each child a small tackle box in the sporting good section of Wal*mart. After a thorough washing, I decorated each one according to the recipient's personality. I then filled them with assorted goodies, counting each and every piece so that no one person got more than another. Isn't that what all good mothers do? ;o)


Our children were unaware that they weren't getting baskets, and had a very difficult time finding these new boxes! They were so much fun to hide because they are flat, and could be stowed nearly anywhere! One was placed under a couch cushion, and took forever to find.


I believe that the children enjoyed the new boxes, and actually preferred them to the baskets that they had traditionally received. They sat swapping candies for hours. For Autumn, who loves organizing and patterns, it was a dream come true! Looking for something different? Give it a try! You may never go back to the messy Easter grass and old baskets.