Ina's Easter Basket + A Few Easter Ideas

I went back and forth about if I was going to get Ina an Easter basket.  

Last night during small group we had a very interesting and needed discussion about how to celebrate holidays like Easter and if it would be possible to do things like the Easter Bunny without taking a child’s focus away from Jesus.  Many of the points the women brought up were interesting and things I have never thought of before.  

However, I was raised with Easter baskets from the Easter bunny, and I don’t deal well with change.  Also, I love celebrating every part of the holiday and all holidays, really.  

After talking with Dan, praying, and thinking a lot, I have decided (for now, this can always change) that we will likely get Ina a basket every year, but not tell her it is from the Easter bunny.  It is more of an Easter “present.”  

If she asks (of course she will ask), we will tell her the Easter bunny is a fun game, but not to spoil it for her friends.  Instead, tell your friends what YOU know about Easter.  Tell them about the cross.  Tell them about the empty tomb. Tell them that He is risen. 

All of that just to tell you that Ina got a few cool things, that I needed to get her anyways.

• A carrot and strawberry sip pie cup (yay fruit and veggies!)
• Two new summer play clothes outfits (needed - desperately)
• Organic fruit snacks
• The basket and stuffed lamb were courtesy of my aunt
• A ball and sunflower growing kit from the dollar bin (because she played with them while we were shopping and I felt like I had to buy them)
• 

I shoved everything in there pretty tight, so she will enjoy taking it out and then trying to put it back in over and over again.

A few other fun Easter ideas:

• Make empty tomb rolls or cookies
• Night time Easter Egg hunt for grown-ups
• A full Easter menu with sides (love Mel!)
• Make jello jigglers or eggs (I loved these when I was a kid and one of the ladies made them for small group last night.)
• tips for dying Easter eggs with toddlers (totally going to need these tomorrow!)
• Go to church (of course!).  Our church is having Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday services, so if you live in Kansas City and are looking for a place to go - we would LOVE to have you!

Planning anything fun for Easter?  With out without the bunny?