Ideas for a Greener Easter Basket

Looking for something other than the same old Easter basket filled with tiny, toxic trinkets and loads of refined sugar? Want to avoid the less-than-original, mass-produced baskets so easily found at "Big Wally?"

My daughter has had the same Easter basket for the past 3 years and it's one she uses every day. As an alternative to a store-bought Easter basket that just gets tossed the next day, consider buying one of these bolga baskets from A Toy Garden lined with green wool roving for grass.

And what should you put in it? I'm so glad you asked! Here are a few ideas from a couple small, independently-run stores that offer fun, safe alternatives.

• hand-knit Easter eggs, wooden eggs that you can decorate or leave au naturale, or, for an older child, glass eggs
• organic cotton toy bunny
• spring flowers reusable Sigg bottle
• rolling duck, bunny, or turtle toy

For even more springtime fun, check out A Toy Garden's selection of toys that honor the season and Our Green House's picks for a green Spring celebration.