It is all I can do to walk past the pre-made Easter baskets at the discount stores. I am drawn by the sheer convenience of it all. Eater Bunny duties would be done and I can get to my deviled eggs and yeast rolls (my contribution to Easter lunch).

However, the problem is my sister-in-law. Every year, she creates fabulous Easter baskets for her two girls. Now I’m not talking chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. I’m talking clothes, electronics, shoes and luggage – yes LUGGAGE! Normally, it wouldn’t bother me. However, we spend every year with my brother and sister-in-law and now the kids are beginning to compare notes. Last year my oldest said, “I think the Easter Bunny likes Jessica and Mindy more than me!”

So this year, I want to make sure that both of my boys don’t feel slighted by the Easter Bunny. Don’t get me wrong, the Easter Bunny refuses to spend more money than Santa. However, I want to come up with something creative and unique so that at the end of the day, a memory has been made.

Enter “Designs for Children” in Fort Worth. They come up with one-of-a-kind Easter baskets to fit any Bunny budget. However, best of all, they really consider your child and his or her interests when designing these unique baskets. They were on the Good Morning Texas today and provided beautiful examples of their work.

However, if you really want to put your own signature style into creating the perfect Easter basket, there are many resources. I have listed several internet links below (including one that turns a milk carton into a bunny shaped basket – too cute!).

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/easter_crafts_ms/

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/easter/basket/bunny.htm

http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/CFAM/Apr1001a.htm

These links provide alternatives to the candy version Easter Basket. There is even one that shows you have to create a Vegan Easter Baskets.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000796.tip.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/181877/how_to_create_a_vegan_easter_basket.html

I am a big believer in including books in Easter Baskets. My friends at the Fort Worth Library helped me come up with some wonderful recommendations.

“The Night Before Easter” by Natasha Wing
Borrowing from the classic peom “Night Before Christmas”, this charming book follows the Easter Bunny and his friend Chick as the hide Easter eggs and fill baskets the night before Easter.

“The Very First Easter” by Paul Maier
A little boy named Christopher wants to know more about Easter and understand the story behind the celebration. This award-winning book is a great tool for parents when trying to emphasize the reason for the Easter season.

“The Easter Bunny who Overslept” by Priscilla & Otto Friedrich
This classic tale was originally published in 1957. Our Easter Bunny overslept and awoke on Mother’s Day. Santa Claus makes an appearance and finds the perfect gift to help.

So for all of my Easter Bunny friends out there, I wish you all the best in making this Easter egg-trodinary (sorry I couldn’t resist).

Happy Hunting!