Taking on the Easter Bunny

So the Easter Bunny is the last straw for me. Just when I feel I’ve culled all the crap food from our home we are bombarded by yet another uber-commercial holiday. And as tradition would dictate, this one is a doozy. I mean, when and how did the resurrection of Christ equate to big baskets overflowing with all kinds of chocolate, candy and junk full of corn syrup, preservatives, food dyes and sugars? Not to mention that ubiquitous plastic “grass” that multiplies mysteriously under beds and between sofa cushions. And don’t even get me started on the cheapo trinkety toys that are either ignored and/or destroyed within an hour. I know I sound like a total curmudgeon but with two genetically sweet-toothed kids and one with nut allergies to boot, this is a problem, and more importantly, unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong – I am all about making memories and creating special traditions to mark various events and periods in the year but why, why does it always have to involve sweet treats (and not even good quality ones at that)? With each passing year and each candy coated holiday I have slowly been weaning my girls from expecting the given – sugar. On this journey to find better ways to mark these occasions, I thought I’d share some of my substitutions.

My oldest daughter (just 13) will get some lip-gloss and nail polish, a pack of gum, a book she’s been asking for and an ITunes gift card. My other daughter (5) will get a jump rope, sidewalk chalk with sparkles, and glitter glue (she loves her art), a little stuffed chick and a book about Easter.

Both will receive Hershey chocolate eggs (I’m not a total meanie) and some jellybeans (these are nut free while 99% of everything offered is not).

To mark the meaning of this time of year the girls will each get a small potted flowering plant to take care of (or not) on their own.

These are individualized gifts based on their likes and wants. I know they will get much more pleasure from these than cheap toys or poor quality candy. Here are some further ideas:

For Kids: bubbles, stickers, band aids, hot wheels, hair accessories, coloring books, Play Doh, fun socks, ball, bath toys, toothbrush/paste, yo-yos, paints, Lego, doll accessories

Tweens/Teens: Journal/Diary, special pen, stationary (pens, highlighters, post-its etc), Gift cards, sports gear, nail polish, fun socks, sunglasses, lotion, earrings, money in plastic eggs, books, movies.

Healthier Treats: edible fruit baskets, gum, organic goodies like Annie’s Bunny crackers (Whole Foods) are perfect and come in cheese, vanilla or chocolate, fruit jells, or how about individual packets of baby carrots? You could splurge on a few high quality treats (like chocolates) or make a small communal family basket of goodies that everyone can share but without going over board. Put some special cookie cutters or cookie decorations in their baskets to make your own treats together.