Easter Ideas

Decorations

With such a wide variety of options, there's no reason to go out and buy decorations, since you're sure either to have useful items on hand or be able to make appropriate and festive decorative items. Visit my Easter Decorations page for suggestions on frugal and festive Easter ideas for decorating your nest.

Easter Eggs

Candy eggs. Many people buy pre-packaged candy or chocolate eggs. It's hard to argue with chocolate, but these pre-packaged sugary treats are the most expensive way to go.

Plastic eggs. Reusable plastic eggs are better than candy eggs, since you can use them over and over each year, but you still have to fill them, which can get pricey. If you do use plastic eggs, fill them not just with inexpensive candy, like jelly beans, but also with trinkets and toys that you gather throughout the year (on sale).

Dyed eggs. The thriftiest option is to dye real eggs. Dyeing eggs is not only economical, it's fun and can be a holiday activity that the includes the whole family. Inexpensive commercial dyeing kits are available, but you probably have all that you need to dye eggs already in your kitchen. Read my page about Easter eggs to learn how to dye your own eggs.

Easter Baskets

• Woven fruit baskets. Some fruits, such as strawberries, are sold in wicker-style woven baskets. These tend to be smaller than traditional baskets, but can easily be decorated with ribbon and stuffed with shredded green paper to serve as an Easter basket. For smaller hands, they can even be preferable to larger, traditional baskets.
• Plastic pails. Plastic buckets, designed for sandboxes or the beach, make great Easter baskets that can be reused as toys throughout the summer.
• Milk jug baskets. This one requires a little "crafting," but it's both fun and frugal. Take a plastic milk jug, cut off the top, leaving the handle in tact and the top open wide. Stuff with shredded green paper, to reflect a traditional basket, or decorate the jug as the Easter bunny (attach cut-out paper bunny ears to the top with hot glue and draw a face on the front) or let you child decorate it herself with markers and ribbons.
• Fabric bags. Instead of a basket, try using a bag. You can stitch together a very basic bag, or use a plain one that you already have on hand, and decorate it in an Easter theme.

Food

Activities

The main activity at Easter, if you don't attend church services, is the egg hunt. Some churches or communities host public egg hunts that children can participate in for free. If you plan on attending one of these, though, find out if the hunt requires a donation of eggs, candy, etc. to offset costs. There may not be an admission charge, but there may be an expectation of a donation.

If you host a hunt at your home, be sure that your kids can't get access to the eggs and treats you intend you use before you hide them. If you've been thrifty about making your own eggs and treats, but they get gobbled up before you can set up your hunt, you may have the unexpected expense of a last-minute trip to the grocery store for store-bought goodies.

Also, don't forget to keep an eye out for television specials that you can DVR and watch together as a family. After a long day of church, egg hunts and food, a holiday-themed movie or show might be just the right activity to end the day.

How do you celebrate frugally for Easter?

How do you celebrate Easter without overspending? Tell your fellow readers!

Easter Decorations

Easter Eggs

Frugal Holidays

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