How to build the perfect Easter basket for any age

Easter comes early this year on March 31, leaving less time than usual to prepare for the Easter Bunny’s visit. But you can be in and out of Walgreens in just two shakes of a lamb’s tail, grab the right gifts for everyone’s Easter baskets and get back to celebrating.

With Walgreens’ wide variety of festive items and most coming in at under $10, filling those baskets doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. The teams behind our products share their tips for an Easter basket that brings joy to every recipient. Get free 1-hour delivery or 30-minute pickup at your neighborhood Walgreens if you’re shopping online or hop into a store today. On Easter Day, Walgreens stores and pharmacies will be open their regular Sunday hours.

For families with recent new additions, Easter is a great occasion to share a basket of baby-centric goodies.

“We have great gifts for babies such as rattles, bibs, booties and plush toys,” says Samantha Potjeau, category manager for seasonal products.  “They come in soft knits and fabrics for boy, girl or gender neutral options.”

A plush bunny basket is the perfect way to hold these adorable items, then fill it out with age-appropriate snacks like Gerber Yogurt Melts.

Go beyond traditional chocolate bunnies and jellybeans this year with our milk chocolate T-Rex dinosaur, jellybeans in varieties ranging from Welch’s fruits to Dunkin’ iced coffee, and Dr. Pepper or “party cake” flavored Peeps—new twists on a classic favorite.

Add in activity-based gifts, ideal for keeping kids busy on Easter morning. “We have a lot of squishy sensory toys with fun light-up or glitter elements, wonderful for basket stuffers and at a great value,” Potjeau says.

“We also have DIY bracelet kits that have been popular with the Taylor Swift craze,” says Eunice Park, senior category manager for seasonal products.

What will notoriously picky teenagers enjoy in their basket?

“We know a lot of young people are into mini things—we have these Miniverse products where you're creating your own mini food and that works well for older kids,” Park says.

Sticking with the food theme, “Last year we had a broccoli plush that went viral, so this year we took that a step further and have a mushroom, a garlic, an eggplant, a beet and a bok choi,” Park says.

And for the actually edible food items to include, try sour gummies in Easter varieties like Sour Patch Kids Bunnies or Haribo Sour Easter Grass, plus Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Many families continue the traditions of Easter basket exchanges well into adulthood. For gifts for grown-up relatives, teachers or close friends, take inspiration from the change in seasons accompanying Easter with our spring mugs or candles.

“We carry a great assortment of garden tools and decor, candles and drinkware that will delight any gift recipient this Easter,” says Potjeau.

It’s still a time of year to celebrate cuteness, too.

“We’re definitely a destination when it comes to Squishmallows, and they don’t really have an age limit. Everyone loves them,” says Park, highlighting our Easter-themed Squishmallows in a variety of sizes.

Finish your basket with premium chocolates from Ghirardelli for a sophisticated treat for the discerning palette.

Don’t forget the furry members of your family for Easter. Although chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs are a no-no for pets, they can enjoy some peanut butter puffed sticks instead.

“Pets are such an important part of our customers’ lives, so we love being the place where people can find a wide assortment to treat their pets this holiday too,” says Sydney Trewartha, associate category manager for general merchandise.

Add in some toys to enjoy outdoors together and you’ve got yourselves a happy bunny day, no matter what species you celebrate with.