Basket Alternatives

Easter is coming up soon and although you may no longer be­lieve in Peter Cottontail, baskets are still a fun way to celebrate the holiday. But, if you are tired of the traditional milk chocolate eggs and marshmallow Peeps, you may want to think about way to rein­vent the Easter basket. Here are a few tips on how to revamp this holiday tradition.

Fill your basket with candy-less snacks such as popcorn, chips and cookies. You can make quick and easy sugar cookies and even shape them into bunnies and Eas­ter eggs. They will be fun to dec­orate and eat.

Chocolate-dipped pretzels are a twist to a sweet treat and can solve your salty and sweet crav­ings. Stick them into a Styro­foam block and create a bouquet that can be placed into a deco­rated f lower pot or plastic cup.

You can also make your own candy with three ingredients: Oreos, cream cheese, and melt­ed chocolate. Crush a package of Oreos, mix it together with a package of cream cheese and roll them into balls. Then, dip them in chocolate and add sprinkles and you have your own choco­late truffles that are ready to eat. Stick them inside plaster Easter eggs and scatter them throughout. You can finish off this food-filled basket with K-cups for a Keurig or a gift card to a favorite coffee shop.

Sophomore communication major Danielle Trentin enjoys the thought of putting a twist on tradition. “I love coffee, make­up, and clothes. I would love to receive any of them in my bas­ket,” she said.

If you are feeling crafty, make a do-it-yourself basket. Fill it with personal items like picture frames with your favor­ite photos. These types of proj­ects can easily evoke one’s cre­ative side. For instance, you can decorate wood letters to spell out the receiver’s initials or make a jewelry or storage box that will be useful and can be filled with candy or other items. Use glass paint and glitter to embellish wine glasses or fill mason jars with sweet snacks. Place it all in a wicker basket and wrap it in cellophane to make the presenta­tion even better.

Katey McElroy, junior psychology major says, “A DIY bas­ket is a great idea because it can be more personal and since not everyone likes candy, you can give them something they can keep and use.”

The essentials basket comes in handy and is al­ways useful. Fill it with the receiver’s favorite brands of body wash, shampoo, razors, perfume, and other daily prod­ucts. Add in pastel nail polishes or a salon gift card for a girl or body sprays and soaps for a guy. Specialty soaps can be found in a number of stores and always come in decorative packaging. Makeup and hair products are also options to add to your gift. You can swap out a basket for a travel case to tie the theme together.

Since summer is right around the corner, you can trade in the Easter basket for a beach bag. Fill it with fun items such as bathing suits, flip flops, a beach towel, sunglasses, suntan lotion, and lip balm. Although it will not be utilized right away, your receiver will be counting down the days until they can hit the beach with their new presents.

Easter baskets are a holiday tradition, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the typical candy filled container. Sopho­more business major Ariel Shil­ling says, “Easter isn’t all about candy; it’s about making your gift personal for some­one you’re close to.”

If you think outside of the basket, you can come up with tons of ideas that would make the Easter bunny proud.