Build a Better Easter Basket

BY EMILY TELLVIK & MEGAN VANSTONE

Spring is right around the corner here in the PNW. We love this time of year—anticipating all the beauty about to explode around us, sending our kids outside with only one coat and not 14 layers, introducing bright and airy touches to our home decor, slipping spring vegetables like tender asparagus and baby peas into our cooking, and of course, preparing for Easter.

Like many families, Easter carries a deep spiritual significance for us; still, it’s hard to resist the charm of fluffy little chicks, beautifully decorated eggs, kids in their Sunday best, and all the fun and magic of the Easter Bunny delivering baskets full of treats.

Megan and I have five kids between us, ranging in age from 2 to 17, so we have each developed our own formulas for creating Easter baskets that our kids love.

At Home with Em & Megs Easter — Emily Tellvik & Megan VanStone © Maddison Foley

Our fresh takes on Easter baskets

We try to avoid just buying “stuff” for the sake of filling a basket because nothing makes me crazier than spending money on items that only add clutter to my home and end up in the Goodwill pile a few months later.

Megan approaches Easter baskets for her three kids with a traditional take that includes an assortment of seasonal candy. And with warm weather around the corner, she uses the annual Easter basket as a reason to get everyone new flip-flops and swimsuits for the season ahead, in addition to sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and other items that can be enjoyed all spring and summer long.

Megan also enjoys making sugared eggs for her kiddos, passing along a sweet tradition that started when her grandmother would create beautiful, sugary works of art, hiding dainty and darling little Easter scenes inside.

While my baskets are less about treats, I make sure to include some local favorites like macarons from Madeleine’s, peanut brittle from Bruttles, and caramels from Moon Creek.

The Easter baskets I put together for my children offer me an opportunity to celebrate their current passions and interests—knowing that they can change as quickly as the seasons! This year we have a new driver in the house, so my son will be surprised with car-related items, while my daughter’s basket has taken on a musical motif that fits in with her love of all things Broadway!

How do you plan on building a better basket?

If you want to move away from baskets simply stuffed with candy and are thinking about putting together something more unique, think about your budget and what activities your children have coming up, and work your way back from there!

Do your kids have summer plans that are going to require specific items?

A summer camp-themed basket would be adorable and practical! Let your kids familiarize themselves with their new gear, get them excited for camp, and save yourself some stress and money a few months from now when it comes time to pack!

Are you a family that enjoys venturing out to Silverwood? What about purchasing season passes for your kids and creating a basket that includes a new swimsuit, quick-dry clothes, a small backpack, sunscreen, and maybe even a roll of dollar bills for the carnival games?! Or take a cue from Megan and get your kids a pair of shoes that can handle getting wet but are also good for walking around.

There are so many fun and creative ways to go when you choose a theme that fits your family.

No matter how you choose to fill those baskets, we know the wonder and excitement on the faces of our little chicks make the memories worth keeping!