11 Non-Candy Easter Gifts

Easter is a time for family, friends and… chocolate? As a kid I remember mountains of chocolate surrounding the Easter Holiday’s but since my daughter doesn’t yet get chocolate (read about her sugar free birthday here) I have no intention of her waking up to buckets of chocolate on Easter. I do however, have a plan 😉

I’m not quite sure when a religious holiday turned into bunnies bringing chocolate but a sugar overload isn’t my idea of the perfect gift for my little one. Now, I’ve got nothing against indulgence, I love desserts as much as anyone else (check out some of my favorites here). I’d just like focus the Holiday on things other than sugar value.

So what’s my game plan? How will I still make my daughter’s Easter a celebration without all the sugary treats? My plan is to make a basket including some of the gifts below! This year she’s a bit young for an Easter egg hunt but next year those little plastic eggs will be filled with prizes (and not sugar) as well.

 

Below are ten sugar free gifts to include in your eater basket:

#1 Vegetable Seeds

I’m pretty excited about this as I think Easter (and Spring) makes for a great learning tool! My daughter will get some vegetable seeds her and I can plant together and watch grow. Not only does this gift keep going but it’ll help teach her to care for something and nurture something.

 

#2 Gardening Tools

I’ll get Baby Bear little gardening gloves and her own mini spade to help me plant the seeds. Possibly a watering can also but I can see that going horribly awry.

 

#3 Coloring Book

Coloring books are great for kids to keep busy but also to learn dexterity and hand eye coordination. My little one loves sticker books so far but we’re still working on coloring.

 

#4 Journal & Pencil

Keeping track of feelings, experiences anything  is a great way for kids to let out their feelings in a positive way. Assure your kids you won’t read it and that’s it’s only for their eyes. Alternatively, if anyone has a budding author this is an even better gift!

 

#5 Healthy cookie mix in a jar- they can bake with you

As I said, I love indulgence! I think giving cookies in a jar is an amazing gift because it’s also time with you and learning about baking

 

#6 Puzzles

Stimulate their minds, give them a TV alternative and something creative all at once. I adored puzzles as a kick and I hope baby bear will too!

 

#7 Hair accessories

For all the girls out there who enjoy doing their hair little elastics and clips are a great way to fill a mini basket.

 

#8 Skipping rope

Easter marks the beginning of spring so little outdoor activities are a wonderful thing to include. If you have multiple kids get the long ropes and tell them to rock some double dutch!

 

#9 Side Walk Chalk

Again, with the weather getting nicer and kids wanting to be outside chalk is a great way to get creative and to have fun!

 

#10 Rain boots

This is the perfect time to get them something they need! And with everything melting rain boots will be a necessity

 

#11 An Experience

If you traditionally do actual gifts on Easter why not opt for an experience rather than an object. Gifts like a trip to the museum, a special lunch, an adventure park, a class are all wonderful ideas that they might appreciate more than the latest toy. Plus it’ll be time spent with you which is even better.

 

There are lots of ideas you can use to make your Easter a little less sugar fueled. Once Baby Bear is older she will of course get some sort of treat in her basket along with her “gifts”. However, I think focusing the basket less around candy and more around things that can be used is more fun.

What are some of your basket ideas and Easter traditions?