Depending on which news reports you listen to and where you live on the planet, we are coming out of the COVID fog. But many of us still feel isolated, out of sync with normalcy, and overwhelmed with the current trends, or you may know someone who does. That is why making an Easter basket for someone may do just the trick.
Bear with me. I know you are too old for Easter baskets and bonnets, but hear me out. As I have been writing more and more about showing your love to people in stressful times, I noticed a theme: whenever I feel my heart is heavy, I seek ways to celebrate and comfort someone else.
It reminds me of a lesson my dad taught me as a young girl. When I complained that one part of my body was hurting, like my head, he would suggest that I inflict pain on another part of my body, like my knee. As heartless as it sounds, it worked because the mind does not seem to focus on multiple sources of pain at one time. Either the one thing hurts, or it all hurts, and all is not a focal point, right? So when we center on one area, we can fix it and then move on, hoping that the other superficial problems are long gone, and they usually are.
Such is the case when we feel heavy and lost in our own grief and circumstances; we can uplift someone else. As a result, we brighten our own day. Glorious reciprocity!
With that in mind, let’s focus on the Easter basket. In my past life, I used to make corporate gift baskets as a side hustle. (Yes, I know I have had many pastimes, but that’s an entrepreneur’s life). Anyway, I figured I would share what I know about baskets, and perhaps you will go beyond making one for a child this Easter and create one for a neighbor or a friend who needs a little sparkle in their day.
Here are my seven (7) steps to gift basket making:
1. Identify your recipient, the person who needs an unexpected blessing.
2. Make a list of the things they like or need that could fit into a basket. Sometimes it is simple to think in terms of a theme, like a spa basket, a golf basket, a reading basket, a coffee, tea, or wine and cheese and crackers basket. You get my drift. Once you allow your imagination to get started, only your budget will stop you.
3. Throw on some clothes and get ready to do some shopping. You can purchase a gift basket from a vendor, but I hope you will take a little extra time to make one yourself. Stores like Walmart and Dollar Stores are economical, but I prefer craft stores, like Michael’s, for the overall selection.
The items you will need, besides the list of goodies from Step 2, include:
- Duh? A basket. There are tons of options, from your traditional plastic or wooden Easter basket to a more durable picnic basket. The choice is yours.
- Foundational items. Use packing paper or floral foam to fill the base of the basket. You may save some dollars if you already have a newspaper, cardboard, or tissue paper.
- Filler. This is the colorful stuff that goes on top of your foundation and helps to keep your items in place: Easter grass, tinsel, shredded paper, hard candy, etc.
- Stabilizers. Tape, Glue dots (or glue gun), Cellophane paper (or shrink film), secure your gift items onto the filler and the basket handles.
- Finishing Touches: A handwritten note or a greeting card, and curling ribbon or a fabric one. (You will need a pen and scissors).
4. Take all your supplies home and have fun building your basket. Put the more prominent, taller items in the back and place the smaller trinkets in front.
5. Make sure the design is appealing. Then use your finishing touches to wrap your basket with either the cellophane or your shrink film. Shrink film is excellent for a tighter hold, but you will also need a hairdryer handy.
6. Take a picture! Then email me the photo at leah@reallyleah.com, using the subject: Silly Rabbit.
7. Deliver your handiwork to the door of that someone special and watch their soul glow!
I would say, in far-reaching terms, that Jesus displayed this type of generosity when he laid down his life for us. His death, which took place on Good Friday, made it possible for everyone receptive to rise from their pain and sorrows with a new outlook on life. The Scripture in Malachi 4:2, NLT, reads, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
So let’s find ways, like giving out Easter baskets, to share the joy of our Risen Savior. Our compassion and good deeds may give someone a reason to rejoice, for Jesus has come!
Words of Wisdom
“The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight.” Proverbs 4:18
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