Easter baskets have sort of turned into Spring Christmas Stockings for us over the years and I’m not mad about it. BC winters are so long and so grey. I fully embrace the opportunity to fill a basket full of brightly-coloured objects and items to enjoy throughout the warmer months.

Also, right now, I need a distraction.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration for Easter baskets, I’ve put together a few ideas that include Amazon finds, small business support, and yummy treats. I’m not saying anyone should feel obligated to celebrate a holiday in a certain way, I’m just doing a little online browsing and sharing my finds. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate a holiday and as we prepare to celebrate our second Easter without the annual Nibling Egg Hunt in my parents’ backyard, I am definitely soothing my sadness with putting together baskets that will delight my kids. Their delight is my delight and I’m selfish.

Some, not all, of the links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Some are items we own and love. Some are items I’ve been interested in trying for a while. And some are just items that bring me joy for no other reason than I think my kids will love them. Also, I feel the need to clarify that my kids are not receiving everything on this list, this is just a bunch of cool finds I came across while building their baskets. Enjoy!

The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown. The kids and I have developed an elaborate pandemic bedtime routine that includes meditation, massage, and reading together in a cuddle heap. I picked up The Wild Robot because of a friend’s description of it as a “kids’ adventure story combined with a Mary Oliver feeling” and we were instantly sucked into the story of Roz the robot. It’s challenging to find books that will hold both kids’ attention (Grady is nine and Poppy is four and that’s a big gap when it comes to stories) but this series hit the balance perfectly. Grady understood the more nuanced parts of the story while Poppy was delighted by the antics of Roz and Brightbill.

Happy Hippo Bath bubbles and bombs and soaps oh my. It’s been a long winter and one thing that’s helped when the feelings start to rise up and a meltdown seems imminent, is getting Poppy into a fancy bath. You put that crab in water.

Jan and Jul polarized, unbreakable sunglasses. I’m a big fan of stuffing the Easter baskets full of summer things. Yes it’s raining and dreary but the sun will come, one day, and when it does we’ll be ready. I really like the stay-on strap and the variety of colours Jan and Jul offers. I learned of this company through a local blogger and she’s got a discount code for 10% off: turnertalks10.

Speaking of summer, it’s time for new suits! Don’t tell Poppy but the Easter Bunny is bringing her this rainbow bikini (and the Gap and Old Navy are having big sales this week so don’t sleep on it!)

Do you have a bubble machine Y / N? (I will be so sad when my kids outgrow the bubble machine. It’s brought us many years of joy and I’m not ready to say goodbye.)

These colourful silicone smoothie straws are a big hit at our house. Fun fact: if the extra long size is a bit unwieldy for little hands and little glasses, you can just cut them in half and then you have twice as many smoothie straws!

My heart belongs to Purdy’s. Specifically, Purdy’s Hedgehogs.

Crayola craft sets. Listen, Auntie Netflix is basically raising my kids at this point and I won’t be shamed for it. However, when I’ve got the time and energy, craft kits are a nice way to break up the monotony of screen time and sleep. The Crayola ones are nice because they have different sets for different age groups and abilities. I like this one because it reminds me of spring (and it’s currently on sale!)

Technically this is a baby gear item and not a toy but I love that this swaddle bundle comes in two sizes. Poppy is big on matching and this way two of her babies can be swaddled in matching blankets. I love the vibrant colours and you can’t beat the deep discount.

Grady really got into cycling last year and his interest was definitely rooted in the cool gear, specifically the fingerless gloves.

This Corkcicle mug was in my Christmas stocking and I am a huge fan. It doesn’t keep my coffee hot for as long as my traditional travel mug but it stays hot for about 3 hours, which is long enough for me. I love the handle so much. I was worried it wouldn’t fit in my car cupholder but it does (internet caveat: I don’t know what your car cupholder looks like. Your mileage may vary.)

We have so many pencil crayons and markers and stickers, etc., but we are always running low on paper. Drawing paper, watercolour paper, construction paper. Easter is a great chance to replenish the pile.

You can never have too many rainbow umbrellas to brighten up a grey day, am I right?

Kanso Designs uses agricultural byproducts and recycled plastic to make plant pots that are simple and beautiful. How cute would it be to fill an Easter plant pot instead of an Easter basket? And then after you eat the chocolate you get to buy a new plant to put in the pot! It’s truly my dream.

Speaking of plants, if you’re in BC or Alberta, Plantsome delivers gorgeous houseplants right to your door, they’ve got an app to help you keep your plants alive, and they’ve got amazing customer service. I have literally emailed them a picture of my plant and they doula’ed me through caring for it.

The sweatshirt knit scrunchie by Under the Shade Designs is my favourite scrunchie of all time. Poppy and I both love them and we have very different hair, though we have similar (low) tolerances for tight things pulling on our scalps. These scrunchies are cute but also extremely well-made and comfortable to wear.

{image: etsy.com/ca/shop/undertheshadedesigns}

A Peeps face mask. Can you even?

Perler beads are not my favourite. Minecraft is not my favourite. But Grady engaging in a craft that he finds enjoyable and satisfying and time-consuming? Ranks pretty high on my list of favourites. This book has banked a lot of hours this year.

Make tea lovers and whale lovers happy with this stunning Killer Whale Porcelain Art Mug by Trevor Angus. 100% of the art featured on Native Northwest products is designed by Indigenous artists.

There is a not-small part of me that wants these Sparkly Kitty Clips for myself but I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through Poppy.

The day the Peppermint Halo runs out in our house is a sad day indeed.

Shawn and I recently discovered that of all the spatulas we own, we both have the same favourite. I can’t think of anything more romantic than discovering we share the same spatula ideals. The Easter Bunny may be bringing a backup favourite spatula is what I’m saying.

Thank you for joining me on this journey; I hope you found some ideas or at least found a bit of a distraction for a little while. Easter will be what it will be, whether we’re celebrating with elaborate baskets or a few foil-wrapped chocolate eggs. We’ll video chat with our families and miss the chaos of a big family dinner, but we’ll be grateful for the glimmer of hope on the horizon.

What are you putting in your family’s baskets this year?