Tips for creating a more meaningful Easter (with less waste)
Holidays are such a fun time, and Easter is no exception! We love to go to all the baby animal festivals, Easter egg hunts, and feel the sunshine again. Nothing makes me laugh like watching baby goats jump all over my kids, and nothing melts my heart like holding a baby bunny or chick. Its pretty magical.
Not to be a buzz-kill, but the older I get the more I realize how much waste comes with the holidays (we still have candy from Halloween). This can be easily changed! You can still have the same fun as you always have, just with a few easy changes.
Use what you already have. Be creative! Your Easter Basket can be anything from a wire bin to a bread basket. If you do need to buy something, head to your local thrift store first before buying new.
Swap the traditional plastic eggs for better ones. If you already have some plastic eggs that survived from last year, go ahead and use them. But going forward, don’t buy anymore. Same goes for plastic grass. Most plastic eggs are not recyclable because they are made with BPA and lead paint (two un-recyclable toxins that are terrible for your health). Plastic eggs are also SO CHEAP. We went to a community Easter egg hunt last year and so many plastic eggs were already broken when we found them, not to mention how easily they break just trying to open the little things. Such a waste! Save your money for the type of eggs that will make the Easter bunny smile:
- Paper eggs: I do like these as is, but decorating these would make for a fun activity. These are more durable than plastic ones and non-toxic too!
- Wood eggs: these are so versatile! Such a cute decoration, perfect for an Easter egg hunt, and also fun for kids to play with. My parents brought me several sets of these while they were living abroad. These are worth the investment because they will also last forever.
- Fabric eggs: if you are crafty, go ahead and make your own! There are so many online tutorials. It would be a fun project and something you can use forever. They also take up minimal space and store flat which I absolutely love. If you love the look but don’t love to craft, there are many options on Etsy as well. Just search and order the ones you love best!
- This option is my least favorite, but if you can’t shake the idea of not having plastic Easter eggs, these are made from recycled material and are free from toxins.Choose quality over quantity. There is a culture among the holidays that encourages buying lots of cheap candies, toys, and other trinkets just to fill a space and fulfill a little immediate gratification. Be intentional, don’t waste your money! Consider getting a few treats/toys that are good quality over a basket full of cheap candy and toys that will break before the end of the day. Bonus points for getting candy with sustainable packaging.
I want to encourage simplicity here, but if you decide to give toys, give them ones that will connect them with nature and take them outside. While it was more over the top than I like, not to mention made of plastic, we did get a water table a few years ago. My boys and their friends still love it and have spent countless hours playing with it. Metal shovels for garden and beach play, plant kits, binoculars, and magnifying glasses are a few suggestions for curious minds and little adventurers!Skip the candy packaging all together and get your candy at a fill-it-yourself bulk market. If you’re in Utah bring your reusable produce bags to stores like Winco, Harmons, Its Sugar, and Hello!Bulk to fill up however much you want. If you live outside Utah you could still be close to a Winco, or just google your closest refill bulk store. Winco carries seasonal candy and currently has the mini Cadbury eggs in stock. This is such an easy way to reduce waste!
Keep it simple. Your Easter Basket really doesn’t need anything more than treats. However, if you do want to do a little something extra for your loved ones, get something they need. My husband is getting a new razor and I am getting new makeup. With warm weather around the corner your kids might need new shorts, t-shirts, sandals, swimsuits, hats, etc. Check to see what still fits from last season first.
Dye your edible Easter eggs with natural resources rather than toxic paints. —One tablespoon of turmeric for 4 cups of water will turn your eggs a pretty yellow.
-A handful of red onion skins mixed with the water and vinegar will turn your eggs shades of orange. Head to your local grocery store and gather some red onion skins from the bin, or you can find a yummy recipe that calls for red onions.
-A bundle of three beets without the leaves mixed in the water and vinegar create the prettiest pink eggs.
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