| Instead of giving your children a big basket of candy | | | | make balloon animals and sculptures.5. A bottle of |
| for Easter, to save money in the long term consider | | | | bubbles and some special wands for blowing |
| giving them only a few treats and more books, | | | | bubbles.6. A package of seeds, and child sized |
| crafts and educational toys. Candy is a big contributor | | | | gardening gloves and garden tools.7. Punch balls.8. If |
| to tooth decay, which can result in expensive dental | | | | you live in an area where it is getting warm enough |
| bills. Sweets are also consumed right away, so with | | | | to go to the park or beach by Easter, then assorted |
| Easter baskets filled with only candy in a few days | | | | sand toys and beach balls are always a fun gift.9. |
| everything is gone and there is nothing to show for | | | | Check party stores for party favors and novelty |
| your money.Even if you spend a little more in the | | | | items you can buy on sale or in bulk. One of the |
| short term on the gift items listed below, your | | | | stores in our area has big grab bags of marked down |
| children will be getting hours of fun from these types | | | | and discontinued toys and favors for a few dollars |
| of small craft items and toys, which means that over | | | | each. When our kids were small I would buy several |
| time you will be getting more value for your money. | | | | of these bags and use the toys for rewards extra |
| Plus, items like books and sand toys are especially | | | | good behavior, as special gifts on plane trips, for |
| frugal purchases because when your children have | | | | Easter baskets and for Christmas stockings.10. |
| outgrown them, they may still be in good enough | | | | Disposable cameras. Then spend the afternoon at |
| condition to pass along to your friends or relatives, or | | | | the zoo or some other interesting place where your |
| sell at a garage saleSome frugal Easter basket ideas | | | | kids can take pictures.For a few healthy treats |
| include:1. Books - stack up on used children books | | | | besides colored eggs, try to add in items with some |
| from garage sales, thrift shops and library book sales | | | | nutritional value, such as chocolate covered almonds |
| during the year. Keep a big stack of books stored | | | | or yogurt covered raisins.By S. L. Simmons, editor at |
| away in a closet and then you will have some | | | | Always Frugal. Visit our site for more articles on |
| inexpensive books add to Easter baskets and | | | | topics such as living on one income, ways to make |
| Christmas stockings.2. Crayons and a coloring book.3. | | | | money when you don't have a regular job, tips for |
| Modeling clay and some interesting mold and sculpture | | | | cutting expenses, budgeting tips and more frugal |
| tools4. For older children, balloons and a small pump to | | | | living artices. |