How to Create Eco-Friendly Easter Baskets

• 1). Start out with a solid and sturdy basket. Ditch the flimsy dollar store baskets and plastic containers that probably wouldn't last the day. Opt for sturdy baskets that can become treasured heirlooms and family traditions to be used year after year, like precious holiday stockings and ornaments that get packed away after each use and pulled out again when the holiday time is near.
  
  
• 2). Forget about that awful plastic grass. You don't really need any filler but, if you do want some, try getting creative with your junk mail, old papers and even magazine pages. Run papers through the shredder or cut them up by hand with scissors to create your own eco-Easter grass. Once Easter is over you can toss it all in the paper recycling bin. No time to shred? Consider grass made from natural materials like raffia. It's all natural and can be reused over and over again for the baskets or for crafts.
  
  
• 3). Fill the baskets with organic and fair trade treats. There are so many options for organic chocolates and even organic candy and lollipops. Many you can find right in your own grocery stores like Newman's Own chocolates. Stubby Pencil Studio and College Farm Organic both carry organic fruit lollipops that your kids are sure to love.
  
  
• 4). Grab eco-toys and treats. Stubby Pencil Studio carries a full line of all-natural, eco-safe art supplies like crayons, pencils, sketch books and paints along with safe toys, creative kits and classic wooden toys and games. There are all kinds of creative, old-fashioned and safe kinds of fun for your children to enjoy. Stubby Pencil Studio has the cutest wind-up bunny and a reusable bunny tote bag from Envirosax, both perfect for Easter basket gifts. There are also many other eco-friendly stores that carry green products for kids, so search the web if you don't have any in your area. EcoArtWorks has tons of fun and eco-friendly art supplies. Eco-Artware has very cute stuffed animals made from recycled sweaters.
  
  
• 5). Don't worry about wrapping the basket. You don't need plastic basket bags or shrink wrap. Just tie a pretty ribbon on the basket (preferably a reused one or one made from natural, recycled or biodegradable material) and it's good to go. Your child will love it.