How to make an easter basket on a budget of $50? That's what we attempted to do at Simon Quan Store yesterday, where we were able to collect most of the essentials. When we walked through the aisles and compared prices we realised it would be cheaper to purchase a bucket and shovel rather than a basket, and once we found our base we then moved onto the eggs and other treats within the store. Of course no basket, or Easter bucket, that is, can be complete without these gold chocolate easter eggs, and while we had hoped there would be more easter candy for sale, we settled for a pack of gummy bears.

So once we got through with the Easter novelties, we then went to shop for snacks to add to the basket - because it just wouldn't be easter without chocolate.

We also noticed while in other stores that people were already selling ready made baskets.

But what isn't said about a basket on a budget is that you have to provide the labor and - that's what I set out to do assembling this tightly budgeted basket.

Here's how I did it.

Jo Marie Lanza
"So roughly everything on this table we spent around like 49 dollars in total. So you have this section here that is all the items that are going to go into the bucket and then we have like goodies and other stuff going in the bucket as well so like a very healthy separation and distribution of both things."

"Most people only buy eggs because they are gong to hide them later on if you are going to have an Easter Egg hunt at your house if you have small children."

"I also don't know if this is for a girl or a boy so I'm assuming its gender neutral right so this is going to be OG's Easter bucket list he is the youngest person here at work."

"So this is a cute little bunny that I saw, and I think we only paid $4 for it as well I already took off the price tag so we are going to put him here right, and this was another cheap item I found in Simon Quan I think this was like $2 and these don't last very long its only for like temporary entertainment obviously."

"A slinky so cute, $2 perfect entertainment, okay, these are swimming goggles I also found, $2 super cheap, right so you can see the basket is already starting to get full, now if you're going to be outside it's important you have a small fun activity you can keep children entertained with. So I found this colouring book for $2 and then I don't think it really made sense to get crayons because you'll ge outside so we got this paint kit for like $4 I think it was, so I am just going to fold this so it fits nicely in there right and then this, put it in here, cool. Alright you see how this already comes together so quickly like quick thing right."

"I'm just going to keep eating the gummy bears because I can, and now we are going to add our goodies, so we got this Pringles I think it was like $2.50 for one, inflation, Pringles never used to be so expensive, and then we bought one little cute juice box I think this was like $2 as well like $1.95."

"Oreos, $2 as well, and other chips, you know I realise these are so unhealthy, but it's kind of like the only thing that kids eat so it will make you want to buy it even more. Cheetos, and then this little ring pop that I think was like $2, so much sugar and sweet im so sorry."

"And now, where is the ribbon?"

"For some reason they did not have Easter pattern wrapping paper, or clear wrapping paper so we just had to like work with what we had because again we are on budget so year, I am going to make a confession and let everybody know I don't know how to wrap gifts I only act like I know I don't really know, I just kind of wing it every year."

"It doesn't matter if your wrapping is ugly, as long as you try, okay this is a lot of ribbon, I underestimated that but it doesn't matter, doesn't matter, we got enough."

"And we are just going to tie it, at the top. But this is stressing me out so iIm going to cut it one time."

"Okay there, okay that actually doesn't look bad. Tada, curled."

"Trying to make it look neat since I did a crazy job earlier, Im so sorry."

"You see how the bow stays at the front so it looks presentable right okay, nice and that is how you make an easter bucket on a budget. Right."

And we ended up with something that looked legit - and like it would cost you somewhere in between $65-$70 dollars.

But there are cheaper options, and of course there is something for everyone. These ladies here on Mex Avenue surely took advantage of that and curated a variety of easter baskets that contained both local and American goods.

Lorna, Anne Flowers Easter Baskets
"This is something we do every year, we make Easter Baskets every year and have a couple of kids around the area and at the market where we sell where we usually give a couple baskets here and there."

"Well we start at $25 for baskets, actually I think we only have 2 $25 baskets, we start at 25, 45, 55 and $150. So the $25 baskets are for babies that are 1-12 months 1,2 year old and for $45, you know they have kids that are 5 and up to 9-10, 11 we have for $45. And then for $55 we have teens baskets, teen boys and girls it comes with their minis bath and body set along with activity books to keep them active still yet because you know although they are teens you know they want to keep their mind active and occupied so we made teen baskets as well, and the adults basket well It comes with an adult sized bath and body set and the different adult toys."

"Like I said we do for the teens you know you say they might be too old to have a toy, but you are never too old to come and see what suits them, their age or budget for those kids."

But whether you make it at home or you buy it from basket makers like these, the basic elements will cost you, especially if you want to create that special easter magic for your kids or loved ones.

Jomarie's budget basket will be given away on Sunup next week Tuesday.