(This post is actually a few years old but still relevant.)
This year I decided to see if I could make our grandchildren’s Easter baskets from the thrift stores or at least get the bulk of the items from there. (Because we love their parents I didn’t want to do a basket of all sweets!) I went to Goodwill and here’s what I came up with… hope this gives you some ideas (even if you don’t buy the items from a thrift store.)
For Our Granddaughter Who is Ten Years-Old
I found this basket for $0.49, these three really cute shirts (she’ll wear them long after any candy is gone) were $0.99 each, this little bracelet was $1.99, this book about a cat (I always include books with any presents we give children) was $1.99 and I added a chocolate rabbit for $1.00 for a grand total of $8.44.
For Our Two-Year-Old Grandson
Here’s another basket I bought for $0.49 cents, one of his favorite movies is Pixar’s “Toy Story” so I was excited when I found this Toy Story book for $0.99 and in perfect condition. This car makes all sorts of car sounds and cost $1.99, the ball was $0.29, these two shirts were $0.99 each (he also loves Spider Man and any car or truck which he calls “vrooms” so I know he’ll like these shirts) and the chocolate bunny was $1.00 for a whopping grand-total of $6.74!
The Dilemma of Buying the Used Stuffed-Animal..
I’ve always been leery of buying used stuffed animals for sanitary reasons. But then I thought back to when my son was younger and would get sick and I’d wash his stuffed animals and they USUALLY were just fine.
Don’t throw toys stuffed with fiberfill or foam beads in the washer. You can put the stuffed animal in a mesh washing bag or inside a pillowcase (if it has a zipper, make sure it’s zipped or simply tie it up.) Use about a cupful of gentle detergent and wash on the gentle-cycle in warm water. As with clothes, wash light and dark-colored stuffed animals separately. There are a couple different ways you can dry them: a) place in the dryer and dry on low heat or air fluff or b) simply air dry them overnight.
Tammy’s Tip ‘O the Day
Instead of washing smaller stuffed toys, you can place them in a plastic bag, seal it up, place it in the freezer overnight and this will kill dust mites and scabies.
If the stuffed animal still has the “care” tag on it, follow those directions when cleaning. I have washed a couple of stuffed animals in the past that didn’t look that great after the above washer/dryer process-just like I’ve had clothes that have shrunk even after I followed the care instructions. Double check the stuffed animals after the washer/dryer process to make sure eyes or any other “decorative” item on it hasn’t become loose which could become a choking hazard.
The reason I mention all of this this is because the thrift stores always have tons of stuffed animals for really inexpensive prices.
Always an Opportunity to Save!
And while you’re at the thrift store, why not check out the other Easter items they have for sale? I got this adorable plate for $0.59 cents (fill it with chocolates and give as a hostess gift during the month of April or to a good friend or neighbor) and this ceramic basket was $0.79 (another hostess/friend/neighbor gift you could give, filled with chocolates. You could also cut down carnations and use it as a vase).
I’m posting this before well before Easter gets here because the thrift stores have limited seasonal items so the earlier you shop, the move variety you’ll have to choose from.