Easter Fun!

This was Julie and I's first Easter as a married couple. We were talking about what we would want our Easter baskets, when we came up with this fun idea. We gave each other a budget, and then to help us figure out what to buy, we gave each other words to use. Julie had to use MICHAEL ALAN, and I had to use JULIE THOMPS. We had to find something for each letter in our assigned words. For example, with the letter M, you could use a microwave, an M&M/Mars candy, or a movie. So the item name, brand, or type of item could begin with the letter M. (A descriptive word could be used if necessary; e.g.- mini candy bar for M.)

We first went to Dollar Tree and then to Target. Julie ended up going to a few other places as well. It was a lot of fun, but some of the letters were difficult. Once we found everything for our letters, we could use the remaining budget to get other stuff for the basket. We also decided to keep what we were buying hidden from each other; that way we would be surprised on Easter. Well, Easter came and here is what our baskets ended up looking like:

We then proceeded to explain what items were for what letters:

This is what I got for Julie:

J- jelly beans

U- umbrella

L- "Lulu Dark and the summer of the fox"

I- "The Italian Summer"

E- egg puzzle

T- travel sewing kit

H- hershey's mini candy bars

O- orange flip flops

M- movie ("The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep")

P- peanut butter wafers

S- suncatcher

This is what Julie got for me:

M- marshmallow treat

I- illuminated hat

C- candy quax (candy duck)

H- "How to train your dragon"

A- air heads

E- egg filled with pop rocks

L- licorice

A- art project

L- "The Legend of Luke"

A- activity book

N- net bath band

All in all, it was a very fun Easter. We have decided that we will do this each year, but will pick smaller words that have to do with Easter. It will be a great way to bring the true meaning of the holiday into the traditional activities associated with Easter.