5 Great Easter Basket Alternatives

Easter first began as a Christian celebration to celebrate the resurrection of Christ in conjunction with the pagan's celebration of Spring and fertility. Originally pagan worshippers were presented with a basket of eggs to represent the new life and blessings of Spring and brought to the temples as part of the worship of the Goddess and Mother Nature. This symbolic ceremony was held in the hopes of a bountiful harvest as the newness of life was beginning after a long winter.

Often the baskets would also be laden with tender seedlings indicating new growth. Later the Catholic church extended this ancient tradition to carry foods to mass. The Germans held a legend called Oschter Haw otherwise known as the Easter Hare. Children believed a white hare would visit in the night and leave them colored eggs, candy and other gifts similar to Santa Claus in small bonnets or hats left outside. When German's migrated to America, they brought this tradition along with them which took root and the Easter Hare became known as the Easter bunny.

Today, the craze of the Easter basket can be found in nearly every mass retail store as parents line up to purchase the same old thing every year. Generally, these consist of cheap baskets filled with plastic grass and candies. The idea of the basket, while Spring-like can augur a sense of bounty but at the same time, who needs these old baskets that tend to clutter the home and end up in the attic or trashed. Why not change things up and add a twist of fun while providing sensible and usable items rather than these boring and traditional gifts.

Below are 5 Great Easter Basket Alternatives you can incorporate starting now that will give your kids excitement and even the older teens will enjoy them year after year.

Spring showers and rain boots go hand in hand! What I love about this fun basket alternative is you can create this gift for young or old. Simply fill with goodies, candies, eggs for the little ones or give the gift of beautiful spring flowers such as tulips or daffodils for adult gifts. These are adorable and practical since the boots can be worn all Spring!

To coincide with the rainboots, you can also create a similar basket of goodies using an umbrella! I found these are great for older kids as well. You can include fun teen Easter goodies such as body sprays, soaps, bath bombs, and books! This works really well especially when you want an alternative to all that sugary candy.

I just Love old vintage tins! They are super cool and make a great gift. This idea works for any age. Simply fill the tin with Easter goodies or cookies and ta-da, you have the perfect gift. These tins are super fun and can be used for almost anything once Easter is over. They make great craft organizers, markers and crayon holders for kids or creative home decor. In fact, it's Spring so fill them with flowers from your garden all season long!

This is a great idea and a fun way to upcycle an old tackle box or have a great storage container for small craft items or toys once Easter is over. Add all the goodies, close the box and you have a fun Easter basket alternative that boys and girls will love!

Who say's parents can't be cool? When looking for the perfect Easter gift for a boy, especially a teenage boy, this makes the ideal basket! Alternatively, if it's for a girl you can always shop for adorable sunbonnets and create a feminine version of this hip and cool idea.

This is only a few ideas but if you are creative there are limitless possibilities for doing away with the old baskets and finding clever ways to use practical elements that can be reused instead of thrown away year after year. Make this Easter memorable by thinking outside of the basket!