MERIDIAN —     While shopping for Easter baskets several years ago, Dorothy Porter realized she was looking in the wrong place.

    "I  thought, 'I could do this at home – and spend much less money,'" she said.

    So Porter went to a few stores and purchased some items: wicker baskets, Easter grass, toys – and candy, of course – and created her own Easter basket.

    "Not only did I spend less money, but the basket was more personable," she said. "And it didn't take a lot of time."

    For Angela Madison, making her own Easter baskets is another way of giving from the heart.

    "Actually, I probably spend more money on the ones I make than those in stores. But they're special because they are made specifically for the person receiving it," she said.

    Easter baskets are the traditional Easter gift children receive from their parents or grandparents. While store-brought versions are available in various price ranges and content, they do not compare to one you make yourself.

   

Getting started



    The first step in making your own Easter basket is finding a suitable basket – or, better yet, think out of the box and use another container. While the traditional wicker or woven basket works fine, don't limit yourself. Buckets, cans, sand pails, ceramic bowls or pots, purses, boxes – any container can serve as a basket to fill.

    "I've even used a trash can," Madison said. "Just use your imagination."



Fillings



    Because you are making your own basket, the sky's the limit for what you may include in it. Instead of the same old boring chocolate candies and plastic toys, think about the basket recipient and tailor your basket to their interests.

    "I did a basket for a 17-year-old girl that included a purse, lip gloss, makeup, along with candy and Easter eggs," Madison said. "For a boy, I might include shades, snacks, PowerAde and other items boys tend to like."

    For very young kids, Madison stresses caution regarding small items.

    "I make sure that I don't include anything they can choke on, since small children tend to put things in their mouth," she said.

    Porter said she finds items to fill baskets at flea markets and during sales.

    "The prices are very reasonable, so I usually stock up so I'll already have items for my baskets," she said.

    One easy way to create a basket is to select a theme based on the recipient's hobbies or interest. Here are a few ideas from the Web site SheKnows.com:



Double Dutch Theme

    For the outdoor girl, load up her Easter basket with a cool new jump rope, a jump rope rhyme book, fancy new shoe laces, sidewalk chalk and some throwback candy like Pop Rocks and Razzles.



Star Wars Theme

    For your little storm trooper, try an Easter basket full of Star Wars figures. Throw in a lightsaber or any number of Star Wars accessories.



Sweet Dreams Theme

    Make their Easter basket a dream come true with some favorites for a good night sleep. Pick a new novelty pillowcase (Hannah Montana for a girl, Transformers for a boy), a favorite bedtime storybook or favorite CD and bubble bath.



Baby ABCs Theme

    Find an assortment of baby goodies with the ABCs from plush blocks to books to bath toys for your little one’s first Easter basket.



Music Lover Theme

    For tweens and teens, add a new pair of headphones for their iPod, an iTunes gift card, a new favorite CD or a fun music video game like Disney Sing It, Wii Music or American Idol. Add a microphone, like this iCarly one, so your little singer can be heard.



Tool Man Theme

    For the little builder, stuff his Easter basket with tools so he can help daddy build and fix things. The more they look like real tools, the better – like this tool set from Bosch. Add a tape measure, tool belt or carpenter pencils for fun.



Little Picasso Theme

    All kids love new crayons, markers, colored pencils, chalks, paints and fresh paper to create masterpieces. Throw in an artist’s smock.



Card Shark Theme

    The great thing about cards is the variety. Try Gold Fish and Old Maid for the younger kids, Skip Bo, Uno and a variety of other card games for older kids.



For Your Teen

    For the teen in your life, if they’re still keen on the Easter basket idea, stock it with Twilight on DVD. If they enjoyed the book, drop a vampire book from the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. If vampires are out, try loading up their basket with beauty products. Cool cosmetics, lotions and favorite shampoo for girls and body washes, favorite hair products and shaving gel for guys.



    Both Madison and Porter have had such great responses from their Easter baskets that they have expanded their talents to other holidays and events. They've also gone from giving them as gifts to family and friends, to selling them.

    "I do them for baby showers, Valentine's Day, just anything," Madison said. "I've sold baskets for as much as $80 and even more."

    Porter made baskets for her daughter to raise money for a pageant.

    "We raised $1,500 – and she won the pageant!" she said. "it's really been great for me, not only in saving money by making them myself, but it's also therapeutic: I really enjoy it."