Strollerderby : easter basket

The Holiday Dilemma: When Parental Gift-Giving Goes Too Far

Jen Chaney — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:28:00 GMT

It's Easter Sunday. Have your kids opened their Easter presents yet?

Easter presents? Yes, some parents really do treat the spring holiday as a time to give gifts that go beyond the standard Easter baskets -- including pet rabbits or chicks, which, by the way, typically aren't a good idea.But the live animal issue aside, this raises a question: which holidays really do merit the giving of gifts and how do we, as parents, know when we're going too far?

I am chagrined to admit that I was raised in a present-focused family. Easter Sunday, for example, was treated like Christmas: Part Deux. Which kinda makes sense from a biblical perspective, but doesn't, really, as far as gifts go. Every year, I got up on that spring Sunday to find an Easter basket overflowing with chocolate bunnies and Reese's peanut butter eggs, but also other stuff -- trinkets, dolls and tiny toys. Then on top of that there were wrapped gifts, which contained more books and toys and albums (remember those?), the sorts of items one typically expects to receive on a birthday or during the holidays.

And it didn't stop with Easter. My parents gave gifts on Valentine's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, even the last day of school. To them, it was an expression of generosity. I had a stay-at-home mom who lived for her children and giving gifts, to her, was just one way to bring joy to our lives. In fairness, I don't think receiving all that stuff warped me in any way. That scenario was certainly better than the alternative: having a parent who forgets birthdays or doesn't share any tokens of affection. But I do think those traditions may have spoiled me a bit. At the least, all those gifts definitely resulted in a house that was filled-to-bursting with unnecessary objects, things that, in the end, my brother and I didn't really need and my mom and dad didn't have to give us to remind us we were loved.

With a two-year-old son, I'm still semi-new at all of this parenting stuff. But I'm trying to take a more tempered approach to present-giving. My childhood experience compels me -- wrongly or rightly -- to feel like I have to do something special on holidays, which is why I found myself at a Hallmark store on Saturday throwing together a small-scale Easter basket at the last minute.

I kept it very simple -- I purchased three objects total -- but I know that as my child gets older, the temptation to inflate that Easter basket or Christmas stocking or, um, celebratory Fourth of July receptacle will only get greater. Still, I'm determined to find some kind of middle ground between the extreme parent-with-presents model and the cheapstake Mom role. But given the precedent my parents set -- not to mention corporate America's insistence that every holiday is a reason to spend hundreds of dollars -- that's something that will require serious dedication on my part.

What about you? Did you give Easter presents this year? And do you ever find yourself fighting the urge to overgift?

Related Links:

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What's In Your Easter Basket?

editors — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

If you will be playing the role of Easter bunny this year, you have no doubt already scored the requisite jellybeans and chocolate eggs. However, if you’re interested in filling up those baskets without putting your children into a sugar-induced mania, check out these ideas for cute, creative (and just plain weird) basket-stuffers. — Lindsay Armstrong

Most Cuddly
Oh my goodness! This is one cute, snuggly little bunny. He reminds me a bit of the Velveteen Rabbit. If bunnies aren’t your thing, don’t worry. They also have a lamb, a duck, a frog, and a pig, all perfect for spring.

Best for Babies
This sweet burp cloth is great for even the littlest Easter baskets! Again, available in a wide range of cute baby animal designs.

Most Useful
After getting kids all wired up on sugar, it’s good to give them a fun, outdoor activity to do. That’s where these come in handy. Cute Easter themed bubble bottles and egg-shaped sidewalk chalk are not too small for little hands.

Most Disturbing
Remember Make-a-Scene stickers? All of the stickers share a common theme and you can build a little picture with them. They’re so fun and cute and not emotionally scarring…except when the sticker theme is “crucifixion and entombment.”

Best Non-Egg Treasure Hunt
Get all of the fun of searching for treasures without the pain of hiding them with this adorable, duck-shaped, I-Spy bag. There is also an easier version for younger children.

Most Blatant Attempt at Making a Non-Easter Item Holiday Friendly
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the words “bunny” and “missile” don’t belong together in a single product description. Besides, plastering a smiley face on a Nerf-like football does not a bunny make.

Grossest/Coolest
Ok, ok, so maybe exploding frogs have nothing to do with Easter, but these soaps are just plain fun and guaranteed to get you candy-sticky kid into the tub.

Best Bang for Your Buck
These beautiful, egg-shaped crayons are made from recycled materials, easy for small hands to grasp, and are really works of art in and of themselves. This is one egg that will last you long past Easter.

Best Eggs for Huntin'
These adorable, nature inspired eggs are perfect for an outdoor hunt.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Things Fall Apart: Disney Princess Easter Baskets

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:04:00 GMT

Were you at Wal-Mart recently? Did your kid spy the Disney Princess Easter basket on an end cap and demand to have it? Did you buy it even though it was $10 just so they'd shut the hell up? Well, now you have a reason to burn that mofo: It's a choking hazard and is being recalled.

The ribbons and silver bells can come off and pose a potential choking hazard. About 8,500 of these suckers were sold so I know there are going to be quite a few pissed off kids come Easter. Oh, well! That's life!