Are you giving your LO's candy for Easter?

[Gator-mom]

Just curious..

Even though my MIL already gave DS candy before she left on her trip before Easter, we decided we are not doing it at our house this year.  We have been close to unprocessed for a number of years, but within the last few months we've been compelled to really make a serious commitment to this.  Now, just need to really solidify this message to the in-laws!

So, at our house, instead of candy we are doing flavored honey stix, freeze dried fruit and fruit leather.  I'll put the freeze dried strawberries in our plastic, re-usable eggs and then mix in some of our hard-boiled that we are going to decorate.

What are you doing at your house?

[Ldavis24]

well we are doing CANDY but DD won't know about it because she isn't 2 yet and DH and I will hide it from her. We are attending an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday (I am assuming Easter is the next day? We are atheists so I don't even know when it is) and I'm sure there will be candy in the eggs but we will just take it away from DD and that will be that...Next year might be different because DD will be older but I actually love your ideas for sweet treats! They all sound great. I will probably make little homemade healthy "candies" for when DD is getting old enough to be peeved if we try to just take candy away...

I really do love your ideas though! Who cares if other people don't like them, I am feeling like people love to complain more than anything else! *Myself included sometimes*

[Gator-mom]

Originally Posted by Ldavis24 

well we are doing CANDY but DD won't know about it because she isn't 2 yet and DH and I will hide it from her. We are attending an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday (I am assuming Easter is the next day? We are atheists so I don't even know when it is) and I'm sure there will be candy in the eggs but we will just take it away from DD and that will be that...Next year might be different because DD will be older but I actually love your ideas for sweet treats! They all sound great. I will probably make little homemade healthy "candies" for when DD is getting old enough to be peeved if we try to just take candy away...

I really do love your ideas though! Who cares if other people don't like them, I am feeling like people love to complain more than anything else! *Myself included sometimes*

Yea, we actually purposely avoided the Easter Egg hunt this year for that very reason. I was going to take him, until I really thought through what kind of crap they would be giving him.  Ds is 4 this year, so I feel like it's not as easy to just take away the stuff.  Even if we take possession of it, he REMEMBERS!!  He is actually perfectly happy with fruit leather and home made goods. 

Our problem is getting the in-laws to comply with our food choices.  My DH and I are both in school full time, and unfortunately, need their help more often then I would like, so I am constantly re-iterating our 'rules' about food.  It will be good for awhile, and then it will all fall to Hell in a hand basket.  I even bring over our own snacks and meals, but they still will give him cheez-its and candy! 

Lucky for us, though, they will be out of town for Easter this year, which means I get to do it my way!  We also decorated our own Easter basket this year, which was so much fun!  Here's how it turned out http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahendra_arya/5628771585/in/photostream :).

[Drummer's Wife]

Yes, we are putting candy in their Easter baskets.  Honestly, even though sugar is evil and all that, I loved getting jelly beans and peeps and chocolate bunnies and cadburry eggs as a kid, and enjoy carrying on that tradition with my own kids.

Fake grass, however, is something I decided after several Easter's that was not going to live on.  We line the baskets with green crepe paper aka party streamers. 

I just don't think a bit of candy around the holidays is truly detrimental to my kids' nutritional health, but that's just me. 

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by Gator-mom 

Lucky for us, though, they will be out of town for Easter this year, which means I get to do it my way!  We also decorated our own Easter basket this year, which was so much fun!  Here's how it turned out http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahendra_arya/5628771585/in/photostream :).

ooh, those turned out super cute!  What a great idea. 

[Ldavis24]

so cute!

I loved the cadbury eggs but the peeps still freak me out. I remember an old boyfriend's family used to make sweet potatoes with pineapple and peeps on top...I almost barfed every time I had to force those down at holiday parties.. 

Not that anyone asked but I think we will start this tradition with DD when she is old enough because I really liked it so much. Every Easter my mom and dad (until divorce) would tie a string around my brother's wrist and mine before we woke up on Easter morning. Then we would have to follow the string all over the house and eventually it would lead us to our easter baskets hidden somewhere. They would do it all over the place, under the table etc....It was so fun! I can't wait to do it with DD...

And honestly, candy on a holiday isn't going to kill any kid, respecting allergies etc of course, I am pretty lenient about food for DD with other family members because I just don't want her to pick up on the battle vibe that could occur. However, family also needs to respect (or at least try to, although I understand the desire to give a chocolate bunny at easter or whatever) the parents wishes regarding food, bottom line.

[zebra15]

regarding the messy fake grass. Pixie stix has 'grass' now.  Just green pixie stix in cherry flavor.  OMG... I am so in heaven now, no yucky plastic grass and lots of Pixie Stix to stand up in the basket/bag instead.  Of course if you dont want your kid to have tubes of pure sugar, I can't help you,  I on the other hand LOVE PIXIE STIX   (found it at frys/kroger and target)

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by zebra15 

regarding the messy fake grass. Pixie stix has 'grass' now.  Just green pixie stix in cherry flavor.  OMG... I am so in heaven now, no yucky plastic grass and lots of Pixie Stix to stand up in the basket/bag instead.  Of course if you dont want your kid to have tubes of pure sugar, I can't help you,  I on the other hand LOVE PIXIE STIX   (found it at frys/kroger and target)

*I* wouldn't like them, but my kids would sure LOVE them.   I'll have to check them out - thanks for the tip. 

[Ldavis24]

Originally Posted by zebra15 

regarding the messy fake grass. Pixie stix has 'grass' now.  Just green pixie stix in cherry flavor.  OMG... I am so in heaven now, no yucky plastic grass and lots of Pixie Stix to stand up in the basket/bag instead.  Of course if you dont want your kid to have tubes of pure sugar, I can't help you,  I on the other hand LOVE PIXIE STIX   (found it at frys/kroger and target)

hehe are you the kid that had those lick em dip em stick things with the bag of sugar too and you just ate the sugar

I haven't had a pixie stick in probably 10 years at least...Now I kinda want one

[Gator-mom]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife 

Fake grass, however, is something I decided after several Easter's that was not going to live on.  We line the baskets with green crepe paper aka party streamers. 

I was actually going to grow wheat grass in the basket this year, but our seeds were old, and just got moldy instead of growing!  I thought of doing the crepe paper myself AFTER I already bought the stupid grass..I think I'll do that next year though! 

LDavis24:  I actually LOVE that string idea!  I think I might try that myself this year!  Should I warn him ahead of time?  Or just tie it on and see if he figures it out on his own?

[Ldavis24]

Originally Posted by Gator-mom 

I was actually going to grow wheat grass in the basket this year, but our seeds were old, and just got moldy instead of growing!  I thought of doing the crepe paper myself AFTER I already bought the stupid grass..I think I'll do that next year though! 

LDavis24:  I actually LOVE that string idea!  I think I might try that myself this year!  Should I warn him ahead of time?  Or just tie it on and see if he figures it out on his own?

Honestly I can't remember but I think the string around our wrist had a little message attached to it that said something along the lines of "Follow me to find your SURPRISE!"...

It was truly one of the bright memories from my childhood and I can't wait to do it with DD...My brother and I had so much fun running around the house bumping into each other because our parents would purposely tangle our strings together a little bit...Also they did different colors for each of us..I think one had yellow one had green...It was so fun!

[Gator-mom]

Originally Posted by Ldavis24 

Honestly I can't remember but I think the string around our wrist had a little message attached to it that said something along the lines of "Follow me to find your SURPRISE!"...

It was truly one of the bright memories from my childhood and I can't wait to do it with DD...My brother and I had so much fun running around the house bumping into each other because our parents would purposely tangle our strings together a little bit...Also they did different colors for each of us..I think one had yellow one had green...It was so fun!

I am seriously so excited to try this!  I only have one kiddo, so there will be no bumping...but I think he will still get a huge kick out of it!  Thanks for sharing!
 

[Ldavis24]

Originally Posted by Gator-mom 

I am seriously so excited to try this!  I only have one kiddo, so there will be no bumping...but I think he will still get a huge kick out of it!  Thanks for sharing!
 

Enjoy! Your LO will be really excited I hope..If your LO isn't one to get upset at surprises I would go for not talking about it and just leaving the note...Then again some kids wouldn't take kindly to waking up with something tied to their hand, very confusing I imagine.

[kittyhead]

the grass...  we use wide strips of green felt that i cut up and it looks better than the plastic stuff. and the cats dont eat it like the plastic stuff.  i do baskets of toys and spring/summer themed items with one chocolate bunny.

[pinksprklybarefoot]

Yes. I'm okay with a little candy. We are almost done with Halloween candy (and we give all of the non-vegan candy away!), so we ate ready for a new influx.

[AllyRae]

Yes, this, exactly.  (well, except that we don't use streamers, we use recycled paper filling that we reuse every year, but same concept).  The kids don't get candy a lot, except some around certain holidays.  And in moderation, that's fine.  Last year we did all organic candy, but this year, we're back to non-organic.  Because you know what?  Peeps are fricken delicious (especially roasted over a bonfire), and they just don't make organic peeps. :lol:  A couple days in the spring (Easter), fall (Halloween), and winter (Christmas) won't kill them...they eat an all organic diet the rest of the year.  We definitely don't go overboard...just a couple pieces.  But it really keeps them from gorging on it if they happen to come across candy at gatherings the rest of the year, like I'm sure they would if it was completely restricted.
 

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife 

Yes, we are putting candy in their Easter baskets.  Honestly, even though sugar is evil and all that, I loved getting jelly beans and peeps and chocolate bunnies and cadburry eggs as a kid, and enjoy carrying on that tradition with my own kids.

Fake grass, however, is something I decided after several Easter's that was not going to live on.  We line the baskets with green crepe paper aka party streamers. 

I just don't think a bit of candy around the holidays is truly detrimental to my kids' nutritional health, but that's just me. 

[AllyRae]

I will say that we did have to restrict the candy one year because we noticed it was causing a lot of behavior issues with one of our children.  But, we went and took out all of the processed artificial junk in our diet after that, and now a couple pieces of candy don't have the same behavior influence as it did when we had a constant buildup of it in their bodies.

[Snowflake777]

We're not, but DH's grandfather is.

DD has never really had candy before and I'm in no hurry to introduce it to her, but it's kind of inevitable at this point seeing as we're going to a big family dinner where all the other kids will be getting eggs. There's no way for us to decline it without turning it into a big deal or "forbidden fruit". So, we're just going to let her have it.

Hopefully she'll eat a bit, then forget about it so that we can make it disappear once we're home. That may be wishful thinking though...

I'm just hoping the relatives don't make a huge fuss over it, like "Oooh, you're getting CANDY! What a treat, you lucky girl!!". I'd really rather not make a big deal out of it in either direction.

ETA: We are giving DD a nice basket with some spring-themed trinkets - a little wind-up chick, stickers for decorating boiled eggs, flower seeds, etc. I think DD will be more excited about that than the chocolate.

Edited by Snowflake777 - 4/19/11 at 11:32am

[laohaire]

Well, just to even out the thread, I'm a grinch. I'd ban all candy forever if I could. That's just me. (I'm grinchy about presents too, though I wouldn't ban them all forever - but definitely make MAJOR changes to gift-giving culture).

DD doesn't get anything from me for Easter, but no matter, since her grandparents and aunts will take care of that.

If that wasn't the case, I would no doubt do something fun for Easter but it seems pointless since whatever I do would be far overshadowed by piles of candy and plastic crap.

Hey, I warned you all about my grinchyness :)

[Ldavis24]

Originally Posted by laohaire 

Well, just to even out the thread, I'm a grinch. I'd ban all candy forever if I could. That's just me. (I'm grinchy about presents too, though I wouldn't ban them all forever - but definitely make MAJOR changes to gift-giving culture).

DD doesn't get anything from me for Easter, but no matter, since her grandparents and aunts will take care of that.

If that wasn't the case, I would no doubt do something fun for Easter but it seems pointless since whatever I do would be far overshadowed by piles of candy and plastic crap.

Hey, I warned you all about my grinchyness :)

For me? Because I would fight you for the last piece of chocolate I could get my hands on!

I'm with you on the gifts though. Not that they should be banned but it is much more fun if they are given organically without the obligation of a holiday (birthday's are an exception to me, everyone is special on their birthday)...I wish my own family was more into just giving someone something (even a small thing) because they thought of that person and wanted to show them that...

I am ashamed that DD LOVES candy

She isn't quite 2 yet so I find that highly embarrassing but oh well..

Maybe once or twice a month DH or I will be eating a candy bar or some chocolate ourselves (I love to eat chocolate so we tend to sneak it from her) and I will nibble off the tiniest of corners and let her taste it. She loves it and that alone is reason enough for me to limit it greatly. She is like her mother, one nibble and she's in heaven. Fortunately she doesn't assume she will get it all that often so we are lucky there I guess. She is happy with the surprise and I do call it a "special treat" and she doesn't freak out when she doesn't more...We'll see as she gets older though and starts doing halloween etc...