How to Make a Decorative Easter Basket

Very soon the Easter Bunny will be busy filling pastel baskets with candy for the kids. Good baskets for the Bunny's loot are inexpensive and readily available at discount stores, but here's an easy to make, hand decorated basket project that's fun to do with children, plus it gives them the satisfaction of making a unique, long lasting, and useful gift for Grandma, a favorite aunt or teacher.

Hand decorated baskets are certainly not limited to Easter time, either, because any decor theme or color scheme can be utilized to produce a basket suitable for other holidays or year around use.

Decorated baskets make a big splash filled with candy, gourmet goodies, cookies, perhaps a selection of pampering bath products, or whatever you like. In fact, you could certainly give the basket empty, just as a stand alone gift, because it's a mini one-of-a-kind artwork, and it's great for dozens of storage tasks or display. I use one to hold my rolled up socks on a closet shelf, and another for combs, brushes, and makeup doo-dads on my dresser.

Here's how to make the project:

Begin with any small, sturdy basket, with or without a handle. It's best to steer clear of the type with a complicated or multi-colored woven pattern to avoid an overly busy appearance. Import and craft stores are great sources and offer huge selections.

Decide on a color scheme. You might stick with the natural color of the basket fiber. Pre-painted baskets are popular, too, or you can start with a natural colored basket and paint it with quick drying florist spray paint available in craft stores.

Next, select ribbon, paper, or raffia for decoration. I've discovered many paper products that work well. I've used paper napkins designed for all sorts of party occasions, as well as gift wrapping paper. The thinner, cheaper wrapping paper is best because it's more flexible. A type that is close in weight to tissue paper and is produced in many patterns and colors is ideal. Paper ribbon, found in craft stores, can be used, as well as lightweight, gauzy fabrics.