A Brief History of Easter Baskets 

Like many traditions in the United States, we can thank our European ancestors for their creativity and storytelling. While the Easter basket primarily comes from Anglo-Saxon roots, there are parts of it that draw on the time of the Roman rule, when Caesar forbade the eating of hares in Britain because of their religious significance. Hares were symbolic of fertility and rebirth and were a part of the burial rituals of ancient peoples.  

The Easter basket is thought to come from the celebration of the end of Lent. In the early Medieval period, parishioners of the Catholic church would bring baskets of food to be blessed by the priest and enjoyed at a feast after the service.  

Baskets may also link to spring celebrations of the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. Depictions often show her with a basket of eggs cradled in her arm.  

The Easter Hare (Osterhase) or Easter Bunny comes from the German Lutheran tradition and started in the mid-to late-1600s. Children would prepare “nests” in baskets hidden in the garden in hopes the Easter Hare would leave colored eggs for them. Originally, the hare would lay the colored eggs, but as the tradition evolved, the “nest” became the baskets filled with eggs, candy, and small gifts we think of today. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons, Easter postcard from the early 1900s.

Building an Easter Basket 

A basket should contain a variety of items to appeal to the interests of its lucky recipient. Some categories to consider are items that can be enjoyed as a group, books, crafts, clothing, personal care, jewelry, and, of course, a few favorite candies.  

Getting started is easy – find your basket (perhaps you recycle them year to year or you’ve saved one or two from fruit baskets, etc.), add in some nesting material (crinkle cut paper is relatively inexpensive, recyclable, and comes in lots of colors to allow for personalization), and then look for a few simple embellishments – a bow for extra color, a note card or name card to identify the recipient, etc. And now comes the fun part – choosing what to put in the baskets to make them fun and memorable.  

We’ve compiled a few suggestions in different categories for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults. One of the criteria we used was that items had to fit in a modestly sized basket with other items. 

Ideas For Younger Kids   

Card Games – Cards are great for all ages, but kids especially love playing Go Fish or Old Maid, and they are learning skills while they have fun.  

Jacks – Onesies, twosies, threesies, but once you get over that, it becomes a real game of skill. The Mast Store Jumbo Jacks game is Made in the USA.  

Mini Lite Brite – Tiny works of art that are showcased with lights. There is a larger version, but it doesn’t adhere to our criteria of fitting in a basket.  

Arts & Crafts – Sticker books, wooden knife kits, paint by numbers, and potholder loom and loops are great for rainy days and to inspire creativity.  

Plushies – Who can resist a soft, cuddly pal that’s always by your side and is a good listener? No one (including adults!). Some of these can be put in the microwave to provide soothing warmth, too!  

Books – Build a library of stories to be enjoyed forever! Our kids’ books include old favorites, like Dick and Jane, Curious George, and the Very Hungry Caterpillar, alongside Tiny T Rex, 365 Bedtime Stories, and Mice on Main.  

Candy – Kids like the darnedest things sometimes, don’t they? Sour, gummies, or Fruity & Fun, there’s a candy favorite for every kid! 

Ideas for Teenagers 

Card Games – the many variations of UNO are fun to play with friends (and family) or give the newer card games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.   

Lip Balms – From balms to shimmers, lip balms are always a thoughtful (and useful) gift from parents and the Easter Bunny. Put one in the backpack, beside the bed, and in rain jacket pockets to keep them close at hand to protect lips from the sun and wind. There are even classics from back in the day – Lip Potion that are appreciated by modern teens.  

Water Bottles – Hydration is important, so keeping water close at hand is a necessity. Mast Store has water bottles of all kinds – from double-walled insulated to BPA-free plastic made from recycled materials – in many sizes, colors, etc.  

Hammocks – Teenagers love hanging out. With an ENO hammock, hanging out can happen almost anywhere. Don’t forget the straps!  

Outdoor Play – Light up flying discs keep the fun going after dark or check out Pocket Discs that can be used indoors or outdoors. 

Get Artsy – Draw or paint just about anywhere with an art kit that fits in a backpack. It’s a great way to encourage creativity and engage the imagination.  

Candy – Mast Store Candy Bars are fun and tasty – perfect for teenagers with elevated tastes – from taste profiles to take you Over the Moon to a party with Trash Pandas, there is lots of variety. Or Edible Paper might be just right for thank you notes or passing notes in class. Or mints are a great choice and fit perfectly in a purse or backpack.    

Ideas for Adults 

Books are a meaningful gift that can be enjoyed many times over. From history and gaining new skills to puzzles and cookbooks, there are new worlds to be explored! 

Personal care items help those we love take a little time for themselves – like a spa day at home with Hydra Aromatherapy shower bursts, men’s soaps and colognes, or the thoughtful standby of lip balms (truly, you can never have enough!). 

Hats are a thoughtful basket-filler, particularly with the coming sunny days and the greater likelihood of being outside. From caps and trucker hats to broad-brimmed sun hats, Mast Store has a broad collection to choose from. 

T-shirts and sweatshirts capture the interests and personality of your basket recipient. Fun designs, quippy sayings, and even shirts that support good causes are excellent additions to the basket. 

Jewelry can accent and add pizzazz to any outfit. 

Spring welcomes back some of our favorite summer residents – the birds. Birdhouses and bird feeders are great ways to greet them.  

Warmies are the perfect combination of a sweet plushie and comfy heating pad. Add in the relaxing scent of lavender for a restful ending to a hard day at work or in the garden.   

Knives are useful and make perfect gifts. You’ll find a broad selection including multi-tools, fixed blades, folders, collectibles, and everyday carries in the Knife Shop.  

Candy – Mast Store has hundreds of favorite candies, but here are a few of the highlights: Mast Store Candy Bars, Goo-Goo Clusters, Jelly Belly jellybeans, dark chocolate sea salt caramels, and milk chocolate peanut butter buckeyes. 

 No matter how you fill your Easter basket, we hope you have a wonderful day enjoying the new season with friends and family.