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Easter Stuffers

Limit candy and add in a few double-duty items

By ClubMom Holidays & Entertaining and Crafts for Kids Expert Mary Jo Rulnick

Mary Jo Rulnick is the author of The Frantic Woman's Guide to Life: A Year's Worth of Hints, Tips, and Tricks, featured in USA Today, Writer's Digest, Women's Own, Real Simple, Woman's Day, Family Circle, and Allure magazines. Her next book, The Frantic Woman's Guide to Feeding Family and Friends: Shopping Lists, Recipes and Tips for Every Dinner of the Year (Warner Books, Sept. 2006), gives moms the opportunity to reclaim the traditional family meal and taking the stress out of the "What's for dinner?" dilemma.


In the past, chocolate candy of all shapes and kind usually filled the traditional Easter basket. This year, try limiting the candy and consider adding in a few double-duty items.

What's a double-duty item?  Well, it's something you would normally buy for the kids; however, you're now tucking it into the Easter basket. So, think about stuffing the basket with something the kids can snack on after an activity, play with year-round or use during the upcoming summer months. Take your pick from this list; although, be sure to include some fun things, too.  

Food-related Stuffers

Single serving sizes of these items are great for munching on the run.

  • Breakfast, granola and protein bars
  • Bags of chips, cookies, crackers, dried fruit, fruit snacks, nacho chips and dip, pretzels and trail mix
  • Individual bottled water, drink boxes and Gatorade.

Health-related Stuffers

Buy a favorite kind or something that would be considered a splurge.

  • Cologne, facial cream, hair gel, nail decals, polish and remover, shampoo and conditioner, and toothbrush and toothpaste.

Apparel-related Stuffers

Pick up the latest trend or something funky.

  • Bathing suit, hair accessories, shoelaces, socks and tee-shirts.

Sports-related Stuffers

  • Purchase these in team or school colors.
  • Draw-string or duffel bag, goggles, head and wrist bands, elbow or shin pads, mouthpiece, team logo caps and water bottle.

Craft-related Stuffers 

Include a new craft to make or supplies.

  • Balloon art, beads, colored pencils, construction paper, fancy scissors, glue sticks, paint by numbers, stickers and sticker books, tempera paints and yarn with knitting needles.

Fun-related Stuffers

A thing or two from these suggestions is a must.

  • Admission tickets to movies, water or amusement parks, beach and pool toys, bubbles, CDs, DVDs, indoor foam basketball hoop, journals, magazine subscription, playing cards, rubber balls, sidewalk chalk, sunglasses, sports balls and travel games
Copyright © 2006 Mary Jo Rulnick, All Rights Reserved.


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ClubMom member Rachelle from Venice, FL wrote on Apr 3, 2006 at 01:36 PM:
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I agree! With four kids between me and my boyfriend...we try to avoid candy as 2 of them are severely hyperactive. This year, I got the eggs at Walgreens with the cars inside, bubbles, art supplies--stampers and stickers....and some easter egg shaped chalk. Candy is bad for your health and teeth! :) Great article, never thought about the movie tickets before.

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ClubMom member Teresa from Lancaster, NY wrote on Apr 4, 2006 at 02:48 PM:
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We have always limited the chocolate in our kids' baskets. Just remember that as they get older, the small tokens get more expensive. Look for clearance items from stores. I have a 12, 10, and 3 year old. The older kids are looking for games to be used with their video gaming systems, cds, dvds, etc. These items can cause their baskets to cost as much as gift-giving at Christmas time. This year, we've decided to give such items as reading books, puzzle books, gift cards ($5) to Dairy Queen, the video rental store, etc. Have fun with it, but don't forget the true meaning of this holiday!

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