When I was a child my mom made our Easter baskets.   She cut an old bleach bottle into a bunny shape, crocheted color yarn around the edges, and attached glass button eyes. Each child's basket was crocheted with a different yarn color.  Mine was pink; my brothers had blue, yellow and brown.  Our names were also written in marker on the front of the basket.  In short, it was a one-of-a-kind basket created with love by my mom.  I still cherish that basket

Over time, I realized that the excitement of Easter was built around that simple homemade basket.   My brothers and I always knew that Easter was near when those bunny baskets appeared!  We were thrilled with the candy inside them, but the presentation – that beach bottle bunny -- really made the holiday special.

I have always felt something missing in my children's Easter celebrations.  I wondered if it was because we use different store-bought baskets every year?  Those dollar store plastic buckets and raffia pastel baskets can’t compare to the bleach bottle bunny of my childhood.   So this year, I decided it was time to start the bleach bottle bunny tradition in our home.  

My internet search for directions has been futile so far, but I found some other cute Easter containers.  So I thought I would share them with you, in case you want to start the eco-friendly tradition of reusing one special basket each Easter.
 

Easter Bunny Bag
The Hershey's website has an adorable rabbit template that you can download.  They recommend attaching it to a paper bag, but for a more permanent container, I would print it on cardstock, laminate it and then attach it to a milk jug or coffee can.  If you use a jug, cut a hole in the center front of the jug and the template.  You can then tuck the candies inside the hole so they are peeking out when your children see the basket. 

 




Duck and Bunny Cannisters
A few years ago, on the old CreativeGiftGiver website, I featured some adorable Duck and Bunny treat containers made with small potato chip cans, some fun foam and chenille stems.  (See photo.) I was thinking that these could be adapted to a larger container, like a coffee can.  If you would like the free pattern for making these cannisters, please surf to my Creative Gift Giver blog.      I will be posting the pattern on that site soon.


Woven Basket
Creative Kids at Home has a pattern for making a woven basket using yarn and a plastic container.  They used a container about the size of a cottage cheese container, but I think an ice cream bucket might work, too. Pastel colored yarn would be very festive and appropriate for Easter. 


Perler Bead Basket
I'm just beginning to discover the versatility of Perler beads, those little round plastic beads that can be fused together to make a variety of decorations. Take a peek at this pretty pastel basket on the Perler Bead project website. 


Make a basket using strips of your children's outgrown clothing
I love this eco-friendly idea, although it would require  more time than I have this year.  In any case, the idea is to take some of your children's outgrown clothing (favorite t-shirts, perhaps), cut it into strips, and then use those strips to weave a basket.  This could be nice if you could find fabric that has a distinctive pattern (for example, the "Dragon Tales" characters on your son's old pajamas or the ballet shoes on your daughters' old Gymboree leggings.)  Click here for more information and basic directions. 

The Family Fun website has a similar project, although it does not require any sewing.  It uses pastel-dyed strips of old t-shirts.  Try enlarger their template to make a larger basket. 

If you attempt something like this, please stop by my blog and tell us about it in the comments section.


Bunny Basket

I featured this on the old Creativegiftgiver website a few years ago.  However, it is so clever that it is worth repeating!  This “bunny” basket (pictured at right) features adorable characters from the Making Friends website.  They made the basket from cardstock paper.  You could make it sturdier by laminating the cardstock. I made one and unfortunately, it only lasted one holiday. But afterwards, I had an idea for making an even sturdier backing for the basket using a recycled plastic milk jug. Trace the outline of the rabbit figures on the jug (use the upper part of the jug) and cut it out. Make several of these.  The remaining base section of the jug could be used as a base for your basket.  Simply glue the figures to it.  You would have to experiment with different types of glues; I think epoxy might work best.   I love the idea of finding another use for an empty milk jug, don't you?

  
Open Mouth Bunny Basket
I chuckled when I saw this open mouth bunny.  Such a practical way to store that Easter candy! It's another great use for those empty milk jugs!  If I can't find directions for the bleach bottle bunny, I may try making this one for my children. I like the idea of using pom poms instead of cotton balls -- not as messy!  (I once made some bunny baskets with cotton balls but the cotton stuck to everything, pulled off in little chunks and eventually lost their fluffiness.) Click here for directions on making this cute little guy.





Do you have a special basket that you use for your Easter holiday?  Stop by the Creative Gift Giver blog and tell us about it!