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.

EASTER BASKET IDEAS

We’re slowly coming out of the fog of preterm labor, and finding our new normal. I don’t think of it as “back to normal,” because I honestly feel like a different person after having gone through that experience. My entire perspective has changed, along with my priorities, and what I used to think of as “important.” All the non-essentials have been filtered out from my life, and the essentials, namely, continuing to grow this baby to as full-term as I can get, have taken precedent.

It may seen trivial to share an “Easter Basket Gift Ideas” blog post in the middle of this, but in some ways, it’s helpful for me to have something else to think about for a little bit, and it’s also significant in that it means things have calmed down enough to be out of current crisis. I could not have imagined writing this post two weeks ago, but today I get to. It turned out much more “baby girl” than “toddler boy” than I planned, but those are the kinds of things I’m thinking about these days. It was really fun for me to put together. Enjoy!

Cuddle and Kind Dolls. I think I share this every year, but we can’t get enough. They are ethically made, hand knit dolls that give back 10 meals to a child in need with every purchase. They just came out with some new ones, this is Penelope the flamingo, and there are more darling, limited edition ones for Easter.

Plus-Plus, pastel edition. We got these for Christmas last year and they get tons of use. The pastel colors are perfect for an Easter basket. They also just came out with these puzzles which we love, and these tubes are great for travel.

Bannor Toys. Beautifully hand made wooden toys. The personalization option makes it extra special. They have a darling Easter matching game set that is perfect for basket filling.

Slumberkins. Started by a counselor and a teacher, this company aims to provide social/emotional support to children through plush dolls and books. The Family Change Fox is especially applicable for us as we think about welcoming a new baby.

Clamfeet. The cutest soft-soled, handmade baby shoes. In matching sizes for mama!

Smaller items:

Egg Shaped Chalk

Water Wow - great for travel

Dot Markers

GlowSticks - fun for the bath

Musical Egg Shakers

Wikki Stix

Happy basket filling!

Shared in partnership with Cuddle and Kind, Plus Plus, Bannor Toys, Slumberkins, and Clamfeet. All opinions are my own.

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.