This post is sponsored by CVS, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
As an older millennial, my ’90s nostalgia knows no bounds. The collection of Pogs, American Girl dolls, and Beanie Babies stored in my attic are physical reminders of my childhood. My husband and I love to host ’90s movie nights with our boys, introducing them to our favorites, The Sandlot and The Mighty Ducks, and treating them to our favorite childhood snacks. As a mom trying to make things special in the era of “extra,” I’m often overwhelmed by the massive list of things that I could be doing to make each holiday Pinterest-perfect. With Easter on the horizon, I decided to lean into my own more simple childhood and go back to the basics a bit. I won’t be doing the monogrammed $75 basket full of expensive items that they will play with for a total of one day. We’re doing fun and simple ’90s-inspired Easter baskets instead. And spoiler alert, zero mom guilt to be found here this year.
With my goal in mind, I popped in my AirPods, turned on my audiobook, and took a quick solo trip to CVS to grab the items I remember being the most excited about as a kid. I actually enjoyed the shopping experience, and the basket is full of items both my husband and I can’t wait to introduce our son to all for under $100 ($98.80 was the total price, including the basket!). Here are my no-stress tips for building a ’90s-inspired Easter basket—plus all the goodies I purchased:
Tips For Building A Basket
Have a balance of different-sized items
I like to start with one to two main “gifts” that I know my son will be the most excited about. Then, I like to add some seasonal outdoor items (chalk, bubbles, swim goggles, sandals) that I know he will be needing a replacement for soon. Next come the Easter-themed and edible fun items such as plastic eggs, a large chocolate bunny, smaller toys, and functional items. The size of your basket, how much “grass” you add to the bottom, and the size of your largest item determine how many things you’ll need to fill the space.
Add personalized touches
Know what your child is currently loving: Focusing on what my child is currently interested in and what main activities/trips we have upcoming is a great way to personalize what goes into the basket. We are in a big Lego and science phase right now, so I tailored the larger items in his basket to satisfy those interests. I know he will be so excited to dive right into those activities for some great independent playtime.
Make it more than candy: Hiding items besides candy in your plastic eggs is another great way to make it personalized. By adding fun items such as chapstick, small cars, stickers, tattoos, or jewelry, you add a fun element of surprise!
Focus on the details to really bring it all together
Remove the gifts from their packages: Items look much nicer when removed from their original packaging. To add a custom element, try repackaging smaller items into clear cellophane bags with ribbons.
Pick a theme or color as the base of your basket: Is your child really into a certain color or hobby this year? Once you choose a direction for the basket, the rest falls into place easily. You can curate your basket around a color, time period, hobby, characters, season, and so much more—whatever you think your little one will love!
Try to limit “one-use items:” Like all holidays, the small one-time themed gifts are fun to add but can often add clutter to your home. I like to limit the items in this category to one to two to ensure that everything I include will be used for a longer period of time. For kids gifting, I typically follow the something they want, need, wear, and read theme. It is a great way to diversify your basket and any other gifts for kids.
Shop My ’90s-Inspired Easter Basket
CVS was the perfect place to grab all these nostalgic-feeling gifts. They had classic treats like Gushers, Jelly Bellies, Peeps, and so much more. Plus, I even snagged a couple of games that I remember playing as a kid, like I Spy. My basket ended up being the ideal mix of ’90s and modern, and it was way easier to put together than in previous years since CVS had it all in one place. Plus, the items still looked adorable and on-theme—the best of both worlds. You can also shop their whole Easter collection online and pick up in-store for extra convenience.
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Play-Doh
CVS | LEGO
CVS
CVS | Scunci
CVS | PAAS
CVS | Jelly Belly
CVS | Lindt
CVS | PAAS
CVS | Hot Wheels
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | Gushers
CVS | Peeps
CVS | Cottondale
CVS | U Style
CVS | Pokemon
CVS | Peeps
This post is sponsored by CVS, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
