Friday, March 14, 2008

Advice!

This is about the extent of my Easter decorating this year. I have been up to my ears in work, between the school job, the receptionist job and trying to make things for etsy (I will be adding to the shop Saturday) I have no time for decorating. I barely have time for cleaning! But what I really want is some advice. My girls are 17 and 19 and yes, I still want to do Easter baskets for them. As long as they live at home as students I will keep it up. My dilemma is, I really don't want to hand them a big basket full of sugar. There will be some chocolate, sure, but I really want to do something different. I am just out of ideas, too tired for creativity or to think much about it. Lauren could probably use a gas gift card but that is so..unfestive. Anyone out there have some ideas for something pretty, fun, festive, creative, etc, that would appeal to older teen girls? I am open to suggestion and I know where the most creative people are! Right here in blogland:>) So help a poor, frazzled, creativity blocked mom out and send some ideas my way. Help!

23 comments:

  1. Hi Kathy! How about jewelry? Easter socks, tee shirts, candles, stationary, cell phone charms, a funky wallet, sunglesses, cool key chains, books, art supplies, perfume, make a cool gift card holder, cd's, dvd's, sunblock, fill a beach bag with magazines, a beach towel, things for summer, fill a cool purse or tote bag with items above. Oh I would be having so much fun with this, lol! Hope these ideas help!

    Love ya,
    Amy

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  2. A springy floral fabric handbag or tote bag or wallet.

    A cute springy bracelet & earrings.

    small lotion tube or bottle (great small gift sized bottles @ Bath & Body Works)

    Starbucks gift card

    moleskine notebook

    Cute writing pens

    decorative egg (my mom gave us marble eggs several years ago...that was a cool addition).

    My mom also used to hide those plastic Easter eggs filled with $1's or quarters (great when we lived in the dorm).

    Spring colored girly t-shirts.

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  3. How about fun scrapbook stuff?? It isn't too expensive and you could load the basket up!
    Hope you find some time to rest this weekend. I do understand about being too busy, want to start a support group? LOL
    Michelle

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  4. I love the header!!! Some great ideas for Easter basket stuffers...Mary

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  5. Good morning.. for my kids I do things like a gift card to Starbucks, a pretty cup, or lotions from Bath & Body, nail polish, anything girly and they love it! Last year I got them little purse baskets instead of traditional Easter baskets which they thought was fun.

    Michelle

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  6. Hi Kathy!

    I think all the suggestions above are wonderful, but I'm sure that to your daughters it won't matter what's in the basket, it's the thought and love that went into it!
    Perhaps recall to their childish side.. windup bunnies and bubbles!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    :)Abbie

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  7. Hi Kathy!

    I think all the suggestions above are wonderful, but I'm sure that to your daughters it won't matter what's in the basket, it's the thought and love that went into it!
    Perhaps recall to their childish side.. windup bunnies and bubbles!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    :)Abbie

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  8. Hmmm... body & bath stuff in yummy cookie flavors? Nail polish in silly shades of Easter Eggs. Cute tshirt that I saw on Etsy w/ some adorable chick on it... You'll come up with something lovely I'm sure!

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  9. My children are much younger and we always do a new spring outfit, pajamas and a small toy. My daugther is into Hannah Montana so I added a new CD and some pretty new spring colored hair accessories. For my cousin's girls who are 18 and 20 I send them Easter "boxes" with makeup and hair accessories and gift cards (this time I think I will throw in some movie passes or starbucks cards....) I also like to hid things in the larger plastic eggs...and put into the basket....just for fun....

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  10. Hi Kathy,
    I love your photo, and all the terrific suggestions! For your budding artist, how about a basket filled with art supplies?

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  11. Oh Kathy dear...you sound absolutely frazzeled! I think you need some time off.

    It's so hard to be creative when you feel you're being pulled in so many different directions.

    Try sticking in a few fun little items...little note pads or post it notes, fanciful pens and pencils. I always make a run to Bath and Body...you can't go wrong with their stuff. Little photo frames or albums are cute to. Well, that's a few of my ideas.

    You take care Ms. Kathleen. You need some rest I think!

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  12. Kathy I agree pretty much with the others. I was going to say the summer flavors at Bath and Body. I think doing it in a wicker style handbag.It would be cute to tie a bright scarf on it,sunglasses,journal,cute pen set,If you have a Sonic they have cards and girls are always ready for a cool treat.Cute key chain,flip flops.

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  13. My daughter is 16 and we still do an Easter egg hunt - the eggs have money in them instead of candy. We also give her a little gift - like this year we bought her a DVD she's been wanting. Sometimes we get her a Borders gift card or some cute jewelry.

    Manuela

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  14. You have received a wonderful list of suggestions, but I wanted to share a tradition that was followed in a friend's family and one that she misses very much now that her father has passed on.

    It seems that for each Easter she always received some type of gift that included one of those little eggs that opens and can have things placed inside. Her father would buy her a special piece of jewelry and place it inside an egg. This would be even more fun if there were a number of these eggs in a basket with the others containing jelly beans or similar inexpensive items typical to Easter. Your daughters would have to go through all of the eggs to find the one with the real treasure in it.

    It was a tradition my friend looked forward to every year and I've heard her say several times how much she misses her father at Easter because of the gifts and the memories of his thoughtfulness.

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  15. I think filling some of the clear plastic eggs with some goodies is a great thing to do. Vouchers, lip gloss, earrings and some of the really little eggs.
    Alison

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  16. Aw Kathy, take some time for yourself this weekend!

    Our daughter doesn't like the kids getting sugary treats either so we do crackers and cheese, fish crackers,cookies, pretzels, crayons, coloring books, and tooth paste and fun tooth brushs, cards, bubbles, chalk, and stuffed bunnys!
    For our older children {20,29 & 30} I like to do a themed basket....ex...pamper me bath supplies, coffee cup, flavored coffees, candles and candle holders, dvds, popcorn, movie rental coupons, car wash certificates, disposable window cleaner wipes, air freshners, etc!

    I am sure you have plenty of ideas to run with!
    What ever you do will be great!

    Hugz, Dolly

    P.S. Does Earl get an easter basket?
    {Just wondering}

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  17. Hi,
    How about socks? I have stuck a little money in a plastic egg, and make up is always nice. How about a little nail kit. Little bottles of lotion, lip gloss, and trinkets of any kind. CD's are always nice or an old movie like Little Women. I would still add a little candy. Hope this helps

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  18. Kathy, you have had some marvelous suggestions! I raised 4 boys, so I am not sure what teenage girls want...but I know that they would probably cherish one of your sweet hearts that you make...
    hugs,
    Penny

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  19. I always try to find some candle eggs to put in my adult daughter's basket.

    This year, I also found some really pretty scented soap from Homegoods with an easter Spring scene on the box.

    I am going to put a few pieces of candy in the basket, but they will be very special, not just regular stuff.

    I think I'm going to add some tea this year with some special cookies and a tea cup.

    ~elaine~

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  20. Bath and body "stuff" is ALWAYS a hit with anyone. My little daughter, mother of 4, has been married and gone from home 20 yrs and I STILL always buy her an Easter gift.....as well as my daughter in law! They both are getting some yummy things for their baths/showers.
    hugs, bj

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  21. Oh, looky here, you've got so many wonderful ideas now! Hope you are having a great day.
    Alexandra

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  22. Oh, looky here, you've got so many wonderful ideas now! Hope you are having a great day.
    Alexandra

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  23. Kathy,
    At the 1/2 off card store they had bath gel in little clear plastic squeezable eggs the color of the gel inside. They were only $1 and so cute. I also found little plastic flower shaped containers good for jewelry or office staples like rubber bands, paper clips,etc. at Joanne's. Small pretty purse mirrors for quick touch ups are easy to find and funky decorated nail files to carry in the purse are always usable with that fun nail polish. Gift passes to the movies are a favorite thing for teens too. Hope this helps. Hugs, Jan@daylilylane

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