Last-Minute, Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas

Alrighty, folks:  it’s crunch time!  I’m referring to getting those Easter baskets ready, of course.  It should come as no surprise to you that I’m behind schedule and still have a lot to gather.  My plan is to pick up the chocolate from Whole Foods tomorrow morning, and then fill most of the baskets with non-edible goodies.  I’ve got some movies and a couple of books, but I need a few more items to complete the Easter morning surprise, and I obviously need to get them fast.  Luckily, there’s no shortage of stores around me, and I always have Amazon Prime to fall back on.  I’ve got a shopping list of five things that I think my kids will love and that I can get in time for Easter.

My kids would be thrilled to receive nothing but toys for every holiday, but being the wise and thoughtful mother that I am, I try to put some variety in their gifts.  You know, I include useful things that will still be fun for them.  Like watches!  Yes, my kids get a kick out of pairing watches with their outfits and constantly reminding me what time it is.  A favorite brand of mine is Armitron because they have so many different styles and colors, and they’re pretty darn affordable.

The Armitron Chronograph Sport Watch comes in pastel colors like pink blush, teal, and purple, and features an alarm, second time zone, backlight, and is water resistant up to 330 feet.

For older kids, I like the Armitron Digital Chronograph Round Dial Watch.  Features include lap time, an alarm, 12/24 hour time, a backlight with three second fade, and the softest, most comfortable watch band I’ve ever worn.  I say this one is for older kids just because, at 43.5MM, the watch face is on the large side.  You can find both of these on Armitron.com, but they’re also available at Amazon with Prime shipping.  The Armitron band is also available at retail stores like Walmart, Target, Sears, and more.

For something with more of an actual Easter theme, we love these ZIPIT Animals Mini Pouches.  Super silly, super cute, and super fun, these unique pouches are made from one long zipper and can be stuffed with anything from coins to lip balm.  For an extra special Easter treat, fill them with candy!  Use the attached clip to hook these onto your backpack or keychain too.  Zipit pouches are available at Just-ZipIt.com and Amazon (Bunny Pouch / Chicken Pouch) with Prime Shipping.

Like most kids, mine expect to find candy and toys in their baskets on Easter morning, but there is one other thing they look forward to receiving every year:  a reusable drink bottle.  We carry our drinks everywhere we go, so we need something that travels well, and this year, we’re going with Drink in the Box.  They say it’s a better drink box, and I’m inclined to agree.  It’s leak-proof when it’s closed, dishwasher-safe, and made from durable, BPA/BPS/phthalate-free Tritan.  Both the 8 oz. and 12 oz. sizes fit easily into a lunch bag, which is not something I’ve been able to say about any of the other bottles we’ve used.   The kids just like having their own personal bottles, but I love that I’m teaching them how to be less wasteful by not relying on disposables.

The same company also makes Snack in the Box, a reusable container of the same high quality material that you can use for transporting two treats at a time.  Dual chambers means you can have two snacks that won’t get mushed together or make each other soggy.  Fill it up with your favorite healthy foods and take it with you anywhere you need to go.  When you’re feeling hungry, just pop open the lid and shake out the deliciousness.  You’ll save money by not buying individually packaged snacks, and you’re reducing waste.  Plus, they come in lots of fun colors!  Visit DrinkintheBox.com to learn more.  Both Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box are available at Amazon with Prime shipping.

No Easter basket would be complete without something that is so adorable that just looking at it makes you smile.  That’s exactly what the Littlest Pet Shop Frosting Frenzy Collection will do to you.  As cute as LPS is in general, this treat-themed variety takes it to a whole new level.  Decorated with frosting and glitter, the Frosting Frenzy Friends are as sweet as sweet gets.  Mix and match bunnies, monkeys, sloths, and other tiny chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry pets–just remember that you can’t actually eat these guys!  You can get them in 2-packs, 8-packs, or opt for the Frosting Frenzy Pack, which contains 13 Teensie-scale pets, 4 habitats, and 4 clips with charms.  Find them at Walmart, Target, and Toys “R” Us, or check them out on Amazon (with Prime shipping).  Some of them, like the Frosting Frenzy Pack are available with one-day Prime shipping!

Fans can collect, mix and swirl chocolate, vanilla or strawberry pets adorned with sparkle and glitter. Perfect for a little extra cuteness in Easter baskets this year!

You know how much my kids love Mash’Ems, so they are going to go absolutely nuts when they find Hatch’Ems in their baskets this year!  Just like regular Mash’ems, Hatch’ems are the squishiest fun available, only these cuties come in an egg-shaped container that’s perfect for Easter.  Pop the lid and bop the top to crack the egg and hatch an adorable, inflated surprise character that will shrink back down to collectible size after a couple of hours.  You can find these at Target, Walmart, and Toys “R” Us.