5 Eco-Friendly Easter Gift Ideas & Sustainable Basket Fillers

Easter is just around the corner, and it's time to make it a celebration that's good for the environment. You don’t have to choose between eco-friendly Easter gift ideas and making it a special holiday. In fact, the best Easter gifts are often the eco-friendly ones.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Easter Gifts?

Before we dive into the best eco-friendly Easter gift ideas, let’s take a moment to talk about why these gifts matter. Easter baskets and gifts are typically made from plastic grass, individually packaged candies, and toys made in other countries using questionable materials. These gifts are discarded in no time.

When you choose eco-friendly Easter gifts, you're teaching children and adults everywhere that it’s possible to make special celebrations without contributing to waste. You're supporting small business owners and artists who pour their hearts and souls into making these gifts. And let’s be honest, it just feels better to give these gifts. There’s something special about giving someone a gift that you know took hours and hours to make from natural materials that plastic can’t replicate.

1. Handmade Felt Easter Decorations

One of my absolute favorite finds has been handmade felt ornaments. These are not your grandmother's traditional craft fair finds. These are true works of art, which become treasured possessions.

The Felt Hatching Chick Spring Ornament is perfect for the little ones. It is safe and adorable with its little wings and sweet face. The little ones can have fun with this on Easter morning, then look forward to seeing it on the tree each year.

Want something a little different? The Bunny Ear Easter Egg is a great find. It is whimsical without being too cute, and it is lovely when used to decorate a branch of springtime blooms or a basket of eggs. Since these are made of wool felt, they are totally eco-friendly, made from a completely sustainable resource.

The Felt Bird Nest is another great find, especially if you are planning a nature-inspired Easter celebration. Fill this with wooden eggs and treats, and you have a centerpiece that is a gift within itself.

I think one of the best things about felt decorations is that they will last for years to come. Unlike paper decorations, which rip, or plastic, which cracks, these decorations will stand the test of time. They become a tradition within your family.

2. Sustainable Easter Basket Alternatives

Of course, we need to talk about the basket itself, because let's be real: the plastic bucket with a handle? We can do better than that!

A Handmade Easter Basket is a great find, and it’s one that can be used for many years to come. It can be used to hold toys, blankets, or even flowers. I have known people to use these baskets as a bread basket on their table all year around.

If you are looking for something really special, you should consider the Sands & Seas Boho Coconut Bowls. Yes, coconut bowls! They are great for carrying around Easter treats and then can be used as a regular bowl for snacks, salads, or a catch-all bowl. They are beautiful, one of a kind, and nothing goes to waste.

Another idea is fabric baskets, and they work really well too. Many artisans are making baskets that are collapsible, meaning they fold up when they are not in use.

3. Eco Easter Toys That Actually Get Played With

The thing with eco-friendly Easter toys is they are simple, and that means the children will actually use their imagination when playing with the toys. Wooden toys, natural rubber toys, and dolls are great examples of Easter toys that will get used.

Look for wooden puzzles that are painted with non-toxic, water-based paint. Wooden animals carved from wood are also very popular and can be used for hours.

Another popular toy is felt food sets. Kids love playing kitchen, and felt vegetables, fruits, and baked goods are squishy and completely plastic-free. They will squish back into shape no matter how much they are used.

The idea is to look for toys that are made from natural materials such as wood, organic cotton, wool, or natural rubber. Steer clear of anything with batteries or anything in a lot of packaging. Simple is best.

4. Sustainable Gift Basket Filler Ideas

This is where you normally go to get your plastic grass, right? But what do you use as an alternative to the plastic grass? Good news: you have many, many beautiful choices.

Shredded recycled paper is perfect. You can also use your paper shredder to shred your old brown paper bags. This is not only eco-friendly but also looks very rustic and is almost free.

Old clothing and linen scraps can be cut into strips. You can use spring colors like pastels or go for a more elegant look with linen.

Old dried grass or hay will give you that authentic farm look. Spanish moss is also beautiful and will last you for years to come or be composted when you're done with it.

Another idea, if you're looking to use something your kids will actually use, is to use organic cotton washcloths in spring colors. These will be your filler during the presentation and then become useful items later on. You can also use cloth napkins or handkerchiefs.

5. Handcrafted Gifts That Show You Care

This is where you can really make Easter special. Handcrafted Gifts have a beauty and charm that factory-made items simply do not have.

Handmade soaps in the shape of eggs and bunnies are so cute. Look for soaps made with natural ingredients and essential oils. These smell amazing, look beautiful in your basket, and are actually useful.

Another idea for an eco-friendly Easter basket is to use beeswax candles in the form of chicks or eggs. These candles burn cleaner than paraffin wax candles and are also compostable after use. The scent of honey is pleasant and not overpowering.

Hand-painted wooden eggs are absolutely stunning. These are made by artisans who use traditional techniques to create intricate designs on wooden eggs. These will become decorations in your house.

Organic chocolate in eco-friendly packaging is always appreciated. Look for fair trade organic chocolate and only purchase from companies that use sustainable practices.

Putting Together Your Sustainable Easter Basket Ideas

So, you have all these ideas, but how do you actually create these sustainable Easter basket ideas that look as good as they feel?

Well, to put together your sustainable Easter basket ideas, you will first need to place your eco-friendly Easter basket container. This may be a basket, a coconut bowl, or even a bag. Next, you will need to add your sustainable gift basket filler. This should be arranged in such a way that there is depth and texture in your basket.

Place your larger items in the back and your smaller items in the front. You may also want to vary the colors and textures in your basket to give it more visual interest. You may place a felt ornament here, a wooden toy there, and some organic treats in between.

Do not overfill your basket. Sometimes the most beautiful Easter baskets are the ones with only a few items in them. This is because you are choosing items of higher quality rather than quantity.

Finally, you may wrap your entire basket in a reusable cloth and tie it with twine rather than plastic wrap. You may also add a sprig of rosemary or lavender to your basket for a pleasant scent and pop of color.

Making Eco-Friendly Easter Baskets That Last

The best thing about eco-friendly Easter baskets is that they can become more meaningful over the years. The felt chick ornament you’re giving this year can be on your child’s dorm room door years down the line. The wooden basket can be a reminder of every Easter morning spent with your child.

You’re not only giving a gift; you’re creating a tradition. You’re proving to yourself and others that you can have fun and be eco-friendly at the same time. You’re supporting local artisans who put their hearts and souls into everything they create.

This Easter, avoid the crowded stores and the plastic and processed goodies within them. Instead, choose gifts that have a story to tell, gifts that support real people, and gifts that treat our precious earth with love and respect. Your gift recipients will feel it, and our earth will thank you for it.

The best gift basket filler ideas aren’t about the quantity; it’s about the quality. When you put your heart and soul into a gift basket, using materials that won’t harm the earth and goodies that will bring a smile to the recipient’s face, you’re not just giving a gift; you’re giving a piece of your heart.