EASTER BASKET GIFT GUIDE 2020

Just the strangest time for a holiday gift guide, but this was planned pre-outbreak so I’m following through. If you’re skipping Easter baskets this year - kuddos. We’ve got plenty of other priorities right now. If you’re doing them and you’d like to support some small shops at this time, read on for some ideas.

Spring themed/Easter Books. New releases by Candlewick Press:

Hoppy Floppy’s Carrot Hunt - with lift-the-flaps, based on a popular game similar to Sneaky Snacky Squirrel

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling - waterproof, great for the bath or high chair and wipeable

Follow Me, Flo! - predictable text, nice for language development

Hazel and Twig: The Lost Egg - beautiful and sweet little story of a lost egg

(Kind of a pool/beach/travel theme)

FloatSuits. On our recent trip to southern California we realized these UV FloatSuits (this print and this one) and the Go Splash Swim Vest are so much better than the “Puddle Jumpers” because they allow for natural arm movement, in the same motion as swimming.

Klean Kanteen water bottles. Our favorite, B corp, give back, reusable, insulated water bottles. This size is my favorite for preschoolers. (For me: this narrower size fits my diaper bag water bottle holder best and I pair it with the sport cap.)

Hooded towels (for bath or pool or swim lessons) - New by Copper Pearl. This print reminds me of our Disney trip and this one is cool enough that I want one.

CozyPhones - best travel headphones for kids. They stay on, and the sound doesn’t go too loud either which I like for hearing protection. Trey has these (big hit with four year old boys!) and Blaire has these.

CozyCase - turn your iPad or Tablet into a stand, or use as a headrest mount holder while in the car. Also great for a travel case and a place to store your CozyPhones. No more stacking books to hold our tablet up while we all try to watch a show!

Spring themed teethers for baby: Pastel Rainbow and Strawberry. So cute, and comes with a clip to keep off the floor.

Smaller basket fillers: egg shaped chalk (from target dollar spot long before closures), bubbles, art supplies, stickers, hair bows, nail polish, wind up toys, mini lego sets, face paint.

Happy almost Easter. It’s going to look so different this year, but we can still make it a good one.

TODDLER EASTER BASKET FILLERS

Sharing some last minute Easter basket, spring birthday, or just because gift ideas.

-Ethically Made Bunnies. I've shared these before, but Cuddle and Kind makes my favorite dolls for kids. Bonus that they give back too.

-Sunscreen. Our California friends get to use this year round but we very much look forward to more sunny days. I like the more natural kinds and was thrilled to have found this brand that has a clean rating of 1. We have the spray and the (clear!) zinc stick.

-A fun hat. My friend from grad school has a child with hydrocephalus and this one supports that cause.

-New shoes for summer. Loafers/sneakers/boots/sandals

-Books. Easter or spring themed, or just because! A whole post planned of our favorites will go live soon.

-Bubbles

-Chalk

-Play mats

-Water bottles

-Bow ties/Hair bows

-Sunglasses

-Swimsuit

-Outfit

-PJs

-Art supplies

-Legos/Duplos/Blocks/Magnatiles

-Play Dough

-Sand toys

-Kids cooking supplies

-Stickers

-Puzzles

-Balls

-Puppets/finger puppets

Just some ideas to share. I'm a firm believer that we all have enough toys and these toddlers really don't need much at this age. They're happiest with just us and our attention. Enjoy your littles this Easter! Holidays with kids are the total best.

ON FILLING BUCKETS AND EASTER BASKETS

I saw this book years ago and loved the concept for kids, that being kind to people is like "filling their buckets." Such an neat analogy and tangible way to teach young children about about a big concept - the importance of being kind. I'm excited to have these conversations with Trey as he gets older.

As moms, we figuratively fill our kids' baskets in so many ways every day: listening, attending to, holding, rocking, feeding, playing with, and infinitely more actions that convey our thoughts about them: that they are seen and known and wanted and so loved. I thought about all these things as I was filling Trey's Easter basket, hoping that I'm better at filling his emotional bucket than this little Easter basket. It was a good reminder for me of what's important. Whether you fill Easter baskets for your kids or not - know that you are filling their buckets in the lasting ways, the ways that really matter. If you are filling actual Easter baskets, here are some ideas, many of which are ethically made, run by small businesses, and/or gift back to causes.

THE MODERN EASTER BASKET GIFT GUIDE FOR BABIES

Basket ideas: I used something we already had, a reusable tote. (Link is to the smaller Pint size, perfect for doubling for the egg hunt, or you can also use any basket or bucket you have lying around.)

Bunnies. Up your Easter bunny game with a bunny that gives back. Two excellent choices here: Benedict the bunny by Cuddle and Kind (donates 10 meals to a child in need for each doll purchased) and Pierre the bunny by Blablakids. Both are ethically made, fair trade, and hand knit by artisans in Peru.

Bella Bliss monogrammed outfit. Easter outfits mean bubble rompers and monograms to me, so I grabbed this cute one. (You might recognize the company when I discovered it last summer, they're my favorite special occasion outfits for babies.) Bella Bliss does good too, the clothing is made by artisans in South America, and they give back to a variety of child-focused non-profits.

Books: Guess How Much I Love You is a cute little bunny board book. And if your family celebrates the meaning of Easter, the Jesus Storybook Bible is one of the best kid's Bibles around.

Hat by George Hats. They carry the tiny sizes: baby, toddler, and child, for the best fit. We haven't seen much (if any!) sun in the PNW yet this year, but I imagine this getting a lot of use this summer.

Backpack. That cutie striped one is by Fluf, a Canadian company. It's mini sized, perfect for a preschooler or as a lunch box for adults.

Shoes. These are by Stride Rite, in a bright color for spring. Walking is just around the corner for us (which I can't even imagine right now!).

Other ideas for small fillers for older kids: bubbles, play dough, puzzles, sunglasses, swimsuits, and the ultimate baby gifts: paper, a wooden spoon, and a cardboard box, because the non-toys are always the best toys.

Speaking of non-toys, I need to sing the praises of good old fashioned Easter eggs. These are most definitely not ethically made, but I picked them up for $1 and they have endless uses and are currently Trey's favorite toy. I fill them with uncooked swirly pasta to make kind of DIY egg shakers and he thinks they're the best thing he's ever seen. They double as decor (in a glass vase high out of reach) and also as bath toys and everyday toys and can be used open or closed or to hide things in. They're the perfect size: small enough to grasp but not choke on, lightweight enough to stash a few in my purse, a platform for language development (colors, numbers, music, etc.) and just all around fun. I think I'll keep them around long after Easter.

Happy basket filling!

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