Here comes Peter Cottontail! Spring has finally sprung and now it’s almost time for Easter! This year, consider “greening” up your Easter traditions. Here are a few examples of how to keep all your favorite Easter items eco-friendly.
1. Baskets: Reuse the same baskets from last year. The Easter Bunny did this for me when I was little and it took me awhile to catch on. I will admit, I did reach a point where I started to really wonder when the Easter Bunny came back into the house to take back my basket for the next year. So, if you have suspicious little ones in your house, consider replacing the basket with something useful that encourages outdoor play – like a pail or bucket!
2. Plastic Eggs: I admit, I love the lure of brightly colored plastic eggs (okay fine, I like them because they usually have candy inside). But, if you’re going to go the plastic egg route, reuse these year-to-year as well. We all know plastic lasts forever so store them away after the holiday and bring them back out the next year.
3. Egg Replacements: Do you ever find yourself hating the part where you crack and eat your perfectly decorated eggs? Consider decorating something that you can keep around and reuse the next year! For example, take the kids on a hunt for egg-shaped rocks to color or make your own reusable eggs out of egg cartons, paper mache or even pine cones! (Mr. Google can help you figure out how to make those things!)
4. Still Want Eggs? Go Local: If you’re set on the real thing, buy eggs from a local farm. Buy Fresh, Buy Local: Hampton Roads lists these local farms for Easter egg orders:
- Full Quiver Farm, Suffolk, VA
- Gum Tree Farms, Chesapeake, VA
- La Caridad Farm, Parksley, VA
- Lucky Duck Landing Farm, Virginia Beach, VA
- Pendulum Fine Meats, Norfolk, VA
- Pleasant Pasture Farm, Virginia Beach, VA
- Rainbow’s End Farm, Suffolk, VA
- Stoney’s Produce, Virginia Beach, VA
- Westside Produce and Provisions, Norfolk, VA
5. Egg Dye: If you plan to dye real eggs, forget the hazardous dyes you buy in the store. Make your own dye from natural ingredients! Things like spinach, blueberries, beets and grape juice can make beautiful dyes. (Again – consult Google for the directions…or Bing if that’s your thing!)
6. Easter Grass: This green stuff is so not worth it. Not only is it a useless form of plastic but it can actually be very dangerous to small children and pets. Replace it with shredded newspaper or magazines for a fun, recyclable alternative!
7. Treats: One word – Pinterest. If you’re not addicted to Pinterest then you are probably a lot more productive in life than I am but you are seriously missing out. Search “Eco-Friendly Easter” on Pinterest and just start pinning to your little heart’s content. Homemade candies, healthy alternatives, and super creative dessert ideas are in abundance. (I am totally going to try these carrot-shaped cupcakes!)
Happy Easter!