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Why do I make my children Easter baskets that point to Christ? When my children grow up and look back on Easter, I want them to remember Jesus. Of course, I want them to remember all of the childhood fun that comes with the holiday, but the eggs, baskets, and bunnies all should be like a dim memory next to the resurrection of our Savior.
One way I point them back to Jesus is through the Easter baskets which we fill for all ages, even the teenagers. We usually try not to spend a lot of money, but sometimes we will add a special gift that is more expensive, such as a specialty Bible or Christian magazine subscription.
Our children know Mama and Daddy, not the Easter Bunny, fill the Easter baskets, but we do encourage them to have fun pretending sometimes if they want to, especially around other children who may or may not believe in the Easter Bunny. We don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone, but also don’t want to confuse our children when Jesus is real and the Easter Bunny is not.
When we celebrate Easter as a family, we enjoy dyeing and hunting Easter Eggs. We watch and /or participate in church Easter programs. We read children’s books and Bible passages of the death and resurrection of Jesus. And, we give our kids Easter baskets that point to Christ.
Below are some gift ideas we have found helpful and some products we love. May they bless your children this Easter!
Gifts Ideas for Easter Baskets that Point to Christ
1. Books
Bibles
What better time to receive a new Bible than Easter? Though they can be expensive, so many speciality Bibles are available to share the unchanging Word of God with those of different ages and interests. From sports to apologetics, many Bibles have pages that emphasize applying scripture in all areas of life. My teen daughter loves art and wants a journaling Bible. I’ve been putting her off so I can put one in her Easter basket!
Easter Books
Our kids love to read, so naturally, books are a favorite item for Easter baskets that point to Christ. Although the Bible provides all we need to know about Easter, sometimes it’s fun to read the Easter story from a different perspective. Stories with animals as characters or tales explaining traditions keep kids interested in the timeless truth.
One of my favorite Easter books is The Tale of the Three Trees. We used the storyline as a basis for a skit in college that reminds us that God has a plan for our lives, though His way of fulfilling our dreams may not look like we expected.
As kids grow older, they need to learn why we believe in the resurrection of Jesus and might enjoy books on apologetics related to Easter. We’ve learned a lot from reading The Case for Easter and More than a Carpenter out loud together, but they also are great solo reads for older kids and teens.
Coloring and Activity Books
Kids love games, mazes, stickers and coloring. I love when those activity books can also reinforce what they are learning about Jesus! With the recent explosion of adult coloring books, all ages can enjoy creating works of art for personal satisfaction and for the glory of God. Don’t forget the crayons, markers, colored pencils, or gel pens to go with them!
Printable activity books are great for last-minute Easter basket fillers! They also work well for families with several children because you can pay once, print multiple times, and reuse yearly.
Devotions and Character Development Books
Ask kids grow, they must learn to own their own walk with Christ. Books of daily devotions or character development can help with personal growth and instill daily habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Parent led devotions work great for younger kids and give you time to show them what having a “quiet time” means. Confident readers may be ready for their own devotions, but still learn from discussing their reading with parents. Teens are learning how to live when they leave home. Independent devotions and Bible study, with parents available for questions, can help them prepare to take their faith with them. These are some great books from Christian Book Distributors. Click on the picture for details or click here for more Easter themed books.
Family Bible Study Books
We have used several family Bible Studies from Not Consumed. They are available in digital or print versions and written for primary, junior, and youth levels. Usually, I have my older kids complete the day’s study on their own and I help the little ones. Then we go over it together during our evening family devotion time. Add the age-appropriate study to each basket and grow in Christ together.
2. Bible Study Tools
As we encourage our children to study the Bible on their own, Bible Study tools can help with note taking, highlighting important passages, finding books faster, and more. Use the tools that are specifically made for Bibles, or adapt dollar store versions.
One year I got all the kids book lights for $1. They love to read a few minutes before going to sleep at night. Special bookmarks whether store bought or hand-made may become special keepsakes. I still have a Bible marker a missionary gave to me many years ago, and a cross-stitched book mark my sister-in-law gave me before my husband and I married.
Bible study tools are usually small and make great additions to your Easter baskets that point to Christ!
3. Scriptural Jewelry
Jewelry and accessories, whether inexpensive reminders of scripture or special treasured keepsakes, are great gifts for Easter baskets that point to Christ. Necklaces and bracelets appeal to boys and girls of all ages, although older boys may prefer keychains or pocket tools.
I really like the Remembrance Nail that can be used as a keychain or as a back pack zipper pull. It is a tangible reminder of the death Jesus endured to save us from our sins. One year I added God’s Heart necklace sets to my older girls’ baskets. They still enjoy wearing them occasionally.
Elevated Faith creates Christian jewelry and apparel that is designed open conversations and help Christians share their faith. Their products make great Easter gifts for teenagers and even for yourself! Use code MarshaH15 for 15% off. Be sure to check out their Sales Page!
4. CDs, DVDs, & MP3s
Adventures in Odyssey CDs are our favorite! Although the full CD sets can be expensive, the sample episodes are not costly and are great for road trips! After visiting Focus on The Family in Colorado Springs a couple years ago, we joined the Odyssey Adventure Club and can now listen to all the episodes online. Jonathan Park Adventures are similar, but focus on teaching about a Biblical view of Creation.
Audiobooks of Christian favorites, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, never get old. We’ve listened to them together several times and the kids have listened on their own many more times. Many titles are available on CD and many can also be downloaded. You can burn them to a CD or make a “coupon” for the downloaded title.
Veggie Tales are our favorite DVDs for the little ones, but lots of good Christian movies are available for all ages. The whole family can enjoy missionary stories, Bible dramas, and family movies with a Christian worldview. Beyond the Mask, War Room, and Faith of our Fathers are some of our favorites.
5. Bible Themed Toys and Games
We have an over abundance of stuffed animals, so I hesitate to buy cute plush bunnies for Easter, but . . . it is our adopted girls’ first Easter, and . . . Lifeway Christian Stories had the cutest bunnies and ducks with “Jesus loves Me” embroidered on one foot for only $5 . . . so I bought them for the three little ones. I really prefer lambs because they at least relate to the Easter story! I have also been know to round up Easter animals later in the year and recycle for baskets for the years to come!
You can find many other toys with Easter related themes or at least Christian themes. Many of them are little novelties that won’t hold up or hold attention long, but some kids really treasure these little trinkets. You can also find bigger, higher quality Christian toys, such as those by Melissa & Doug™ (R) those that are related to popular characters, such as Veggie Tales (R).
Not every single item I put in our kids’ baskets actually point to Christ. There’s nothing wrong with adding some toys just for fun, and even those things can be a part of the personality God gave each child. One year I gave each child a badminton racket. Another time I picked up some bicycle water bottle holders on clearance at Wal-Mart for a fun, practical addition to our Easter baskets. Sometimes each child gets something different he or she has been wanting.
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6. Candy!!!
Of course, no Easter basket is complete without Easter candy, but they get so much candy from church and community events that we only add a few especially loved treats and sugar free gum. One neat idea that can contribute to Easter baskets that point to Christ is the Jellybean Gospel (Sweetart™ Jellybeans are our favorite!). Childrens-Ministry-Deals.com has a free printable with cards explaining the meaning of each color. You can also search the jelly bean gospel on Pinterest to see many ways to use this fun idea.
As we fill our kids’ Easter baskets, even the fun, seemingly secular, part of the holiday can help create lifelong memories of faith and family. Let’s keep their hearts as close to the Father as we can for as long as we can. When they leave our home, I want them to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in the history of the universe. I pray our Easter baskets that point to Christ will help create lifetime memories.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20 NKJV
Celebrate your faith and the Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection!