Every year, without fail, Easter sneaks up on me. Between my full-time job, school schedules, and the general chaos that is life with two kids, it somehow goes from “we have plenty of time” to “Easter is this weekend?” So when it comes to Easter baskets for the kids, I need something that comes together fast. I’ve always been a Pinterest girly at heart who loves curating even the simplest gifts, but searching for Easter basket inspo at the final hour is discouraging. Those baskets look adorable, but they also look like they require weeks of planning and a cart full of boutique items. Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong: I love a cute, small shop find as much as the next person. But in this season of life, I’m prioritizing things that are affordable, easy to grab, and don’t require me to become Martha Stewart overnight. That’s why my go-to for Easter baskets over the years has been CVS.
Instead of running all over town—or waiting on shipping, God forbid—you can grab everything in one place: candy, toys, basket fillers, and more that pull the whole thing together. And with a few simple styling tricks, those everyday finds can still create the kind of Pinterest-worthy basket kids get excited about.
After a few years of trial and error, I’ve landed on a simple formula that lets me pull together an affordable Easter basket in under an hour (yes, a literal hour) with the help of my local CVS. Here’s exactly how I do it:
The key to creating the perfect Easter basket for your little ones is knowing the exact ratios to aim for, so there’s not too much happening but still enough to be eye-catching. Personally, I swear by:
- 1 basket
- 1 plush or toy
- 3–4 small fillers
- Candy
- Decorative grass
That’s it. No need for a dozen tiny trinkets or expensive specialty items. The last time I assembled Easter baskets, I followed this exact formula during a quick CVS run and grabbed everything I needed in about 30 minutes. And once you have the right pieces, a few simple styling tricks make the basket look instantly more elevated.
Start with a neutral basket base
The easiest way to get that Pinterest-y look? Start simple. A woven basket or pastel storage bin works perfectly and photographs well without costing a fortune. Plus, neutral-leaning bases also make it easier to build a cohesive color palette with the items inside. If you’re trying to keep things extra budget-friendly, this is also a great opportunity to reuse something you already have, like a small storage bin, bucket, or even a cute tote bag that can double as part of the gift.
Fill up your basket with tissue paper or one big item
One of the biggest secrets to those aesthetic baskets everyone wants to recreate is making it look full—even if you didn’t buy a ton of items. So, start by adding colored tissue paper or Easter grass to the bottom. This creates volume so your items sit higher and feel more abundant.
Next, anchor the basket with one larger item. This could be:
- A stuffed bunny or plush toy
- A craft kit
- An outdoor toy, like bubbles or sidewalk chalk
That single larger item does a lot of the visual work, making the basket feel fuller and more thoughtfully curated without a bunch of unnecessary items.
Pick a color theme
What’s the trick that makes a basket look like it came straight off a mood board? Color coordination or choosing a theme (which we’ll provide some inspo for a little later). Instead of grabbing a bunch of random items, pick two or three colors and stick with them. That means coordinating everything—from the basket filler to the candy to the toys.
A few easy combinations I love:
- Pastel pink + white
- Blue + yellow
- Neutral beige + sage
When everything follows the same palette, even the smallest items suddenly look styled. And here’s one of my favorite tricks: If a toy or candy doesn’t match your color scheme, hide it inside a plastic egg. Problem solved.
Remove the packaging from your filler items
If you’ve ever noticed that boutique-style Easter baskets look a little more elevated, this is usually why. A quick trick is to remove items from their plastic packaging before placing them in the basket. Not only does it reduce bulky wrapping, but it also makes everything look more curated. It takes maybe two minutes, and the final product is significantly easier on the eye.
Shop intentionally to minimize wasteful spending
Another lesson I’ve learned over the years: skip the random trinkets that get tossed aside (or broken) a week later. Instead, I try to include items my kids will actually use—things that double as a little seasonal refresh of everyday favorites.
Think:
- Their favorite candy or treat
- A new toothbrush
- Bath toys that were due for replacement
- Bubbles, jump ropes, or sidewalk chalk
- Craft kits or activity sets
Not only does this make the basket feel more thoughtful, but it also helps the purchases feel practical rather than wasteful. And, I love a basket that leads to evergreen activities. Something like sidewalk chalk or bubbles means the fun continues long after the candy is gone.
Need more help curating? Shop Easter baskets by aesthetic below:
The Modern Pastel Basket
An elevated, trendy version of classic Easter pastels
CVS │ Regent Square Studio
The Boho Bunny Basket
Think natural, cozy textures and earthy tones
The Whimsical Crafter Basket
Picks focused on crafting and imagination-led activities
The Springtime Nature Basket
Springtime activity basket that classically celebrates the season
The Rainbow Maximalist Basket
Colorful, playful, and maximalist in all the right ways
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steph Alleva Cornell, Branded Content Editor
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McKenna Pringle, Assistant Editor of Branded Content
As the Assistant Editor of Branded Content, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
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.
