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