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