8 Frugal Ideas for the Easter Basket

Pack those Easter baskets for less this year. Here is a list of frugal ideas you can use. Homemade Treats How about some easy-to-make homemade peanut butter cups or bunny-shaped homemade chewy granola bars. These recipes and more can easily be found on Pinterest. Homemade treats are not only less expensive, but they are also free from all of the chemicals that store-bought treats have. Coloring Books Coloring books are so inexpensive, and there are many Easter themed ones out there. The provide a nice foundation for any Easter basket and can be had for a dollar or less. Stuffed … Continue reading

Egg-citing DIY Easter Décor

Easter is less than two weeks away; time to get hopping on some homemade decorations.  Why spend a bunch of money buying elaborate seasonal trimmings when you can handcraft adorable adornments from supplies found in your own home? These simple Easter-themed decorations are perfect for families with young children egg-cited about the upcoming holiday.  Give them the chance to create these hands-on crafts: Cotton Ball Pencil Holder:  Whether you want to craft a bunny, lamb or chick pencil holder, inexpensive cotton balls will help make it happen.  Use a soup can or other clean tin can as the base for … Continue reading

Sweet Easter Fun

Smell that? It’s the sweet scent of Easter. Or, in our house, chocolate and jelly beans. Spring break has given my daughter plenty of time to exercise her creative muscle designing and decorating Easter-themed goodies. The following projects are two of her favorites, though only one is edible: CANDY FLOWERS Materials: Construction paper or cardstock in a variety of colors 8-ounce clear plastic cups Popsicle sticks or craft sticks One bag of jelly beans One bag of Hershey Kisses One bag of Rolos One bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis Craft glue Directions: Use construction paper to cut-out flower … Continue reading

Spring Into Easter

With less than a week until Easter, many procrastinators are scrambling to get eggs, candy and festive holiday decorations together. You don’t have a ton of time before Peter Cottontail comes hopping down the Bunny Trail; however, that doesn’t mean you should call off the holiday all together. Rather, set aside a couple of hours sometime this week to craft these simple and affordable Easter goodies that will help dress-up your holiday table: SWEET COCONUT NESTS Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon water 4 drops of green food coloring (you can use yellow or orange if you want to mix things up) 1-1/4 … Continue reading

Easter Party Prep

Just because Easter is only a week away doesn’t mean you have to stress about the party planning. After all, if worse came to worst, you could always host a potluck rather than preparing all the food yourself. In addition, you could have guests bring extra candy-filled plastic eggs and make like Peter Cottontail by hiding them for the annual backyard hunt. Another option is to keep the party simple. Spend the day enjoying the presence of your company rather than worrying about whether you have enough chips and dip to go around. The games and activities can also be … Continue reading

Sweet and Savory Easter Eats

Who says all the Easter fun has to take place in the back yard? Easter egg hunts can work up a healthy appetite, and there’s nothing like a few sweet and savory dishes to offset mountains of chocolate-covered bunnies. Have fun with your kids the night before Peter Cottontail comes hopping down the bunny trail by whipping up this citrus treat that you can serve to your Easter brunch guests: CITRUS COFFEE CAKE Ingredients: 3/4 cup granulated sugar 4 teaspoons orange zest 2 teaspoons lemon zest 2 cans (12-ounce) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 8-ounce package of cream cheese 1 stick melted … Continue reading

Indoor Easter Party Fun

Outdoor egg hunts are an Easter tradition, but what happens when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with your plans? Moving a party indoors can be a real bummer; however, with a little creativity, bad weather doesn’t have to ruin your holiday shindig. The following Easter-themed activities will help keep your party on the right track regardless of what it looks like outside: Bunny Pokey: This Easter version of the Hokey Pokey plays up funny bunny parts, such as: “Put your cotton tail in” or “Put your long ears in” or “Put your fluffy tummy in.” Bunny Hop: Line up your youngest … Continue reading

Easy Easter Fun

Who says you have to get all Martha Stewart in order to craft egg-citing Easter decorations? If you have eager young helpers at home, who are old enough to work a crayon or marker, then you can design a slew of holiday-themed items to decorate your living space. Here are some easy Easter projects to get you started: HANDPRINT EASTER BUNNY Materials: White computer paper Construction Paper Crayons or markers Glue Scissors Directions: Have your child trace his handprint on a sheet of white paper. Cut-out the handprint. Color the first two fingers of the hand with pink crayon. These … Continue reading

Bunny Love

What do you call 12 bunnies marching backwards? A receding hareline What did the bunny say to the carrot? It’s been nice gnawing you. What do you call a dumb bunny? A hare brain. How can you tell which bunnies are the oldest in a group? Just look for the grey hares. Thank you. Thank you. I’ll be here all week. My second grader is ready for the Easter Bunny to come hippity-hopping up our driveway tonight. Fortunately, the bunny has about 10 more days to get his act together before he has to make his late-night delivery. In the … Continue reading

Charming Easter Egg Containers

My previous blogs have illustrated that you don’t have to possess the crafting skills of Martha Stewart in order to spice up your Easter eggs. Rather, all you need is a little motivation, and an equally fab place to showcase those spectacularly decorated orbs. Flimsy wicker baskets and cheap-o plastic buckets need not apply. What you need are the following easy-to-make Easter egg holders: Pretty Pots: Why place your elegant eggs in a traditional basket when you can display them in an elaborately decorated pot instead? All you need is a simple terra cotta pot, some paint and a few … Continue reading