Faith-Filled Easter Baskets

Easter is more than chocolate, candy, hunts, and that famous bunny. Easter is about remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So this year Risen curated a handful of favorite items to help create faith-filled Easter baskets, or at least keep the focus on the significance of the season while snacking on jelly beans!

HE IS RISEN! CELEBRATE EASTER WITH ZONDERKIDZ

Celebrate the season with ZonderKidz! They have such a fantastic, and expansive, library of books that introduce, reinforce, and celebrate the Easter story. We are big fans of the Berenstain Bears and their titles of Easter Sunday, Easter Story and newly released Learn About Heaven are great ways for kids to learn as they hang out with their favorite Bear family.

Easter Love Letters from God has become a family favorite — actually the whole series — as a great way to go deeper in faith, and in this case, learn about the Holy Week. The lessons come alive with seven beautifully illustrated Bible stories all with an encouraging letter (lift-the-flap style) that can be personalized to your child, and as if they were written directly to them, from God.

Rick Warren has a picture book, Words to Love By, that is perfectly placed for this time as it teaches young ones the power of words and how words can change their lives and the lives of those around them. Also ABC News correspondent Lindsey Davis has a third beautiful book titled Stay This Way Forever that celebrates diversity. Plus ZonderKidz has so many other amazing titles that you are sure to find a great book to include in this year’s Easter Basket. 

WRAPPED IN SCRIPTURE: HOLY PALS PAJAMAS

Now you can make the Bible a part of your children’s lives at home in a very cozy way thanks to Holy Pals! These beautifully designed, high quality pajamas feature some of our favorite Bible stories so families can have fun with storytime before bed and use the pictures on the pajamas to explain passages like Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath or Jonah. Each pajama has the verse stitched on the sleeve to match the fun Biblical print. Look up the passage with your kids or even memorize the verse! Both you and your child will grow to know the Bible more and more with every wear. 

What’s really fun is that there are options for sibling matching and also the same print in pink or blue. The pajamas get more comfortable with each wash and hold their structure nice too.

Plus, every time you order a pair of Holy Pals pajamas, you will be contributing towards sending a cozy pair of Biblical pajamas to the children of the Littlest Lamb Orphanage in Egypt.

HOLY LAND DELIVERED: ARTZA JERUSALEM BOX

As we celebrate Holy Week and think about the events that unfolded from Good Friday through Easter Sunday, much of the focus is on Jerusalem, the city where the resurrection of Jesus took place. While we may not be able to travel abroad, especially during COVID, what if you could get the Holy Land delivered right to your doorstep?

Now you can with Artza! This subscription box is a great addition, or replacement, to your traditional Easter basket. The experience follows in the path that Jesus once walked and is designed to provide education, delight, and nourishment for the mind, body and soul. Each quarter they profile a location and locally sourced goods that represent the best of modern and ancient Israel. Through their relationship with artisans, they promote awareness and provide assistance to the people of Israel. Makes perfect sense for this quarter to be Jerusalem!

KEEP AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE! POPCORN THANKS

One thing we’ve all definitely experienced over the past year-and-a-half is that the world is full of uncertainties and unexpected surprises. But if you choose, there is always something to be thankful for. Which is why we adore Popcorn Thanks, the playful activity of gratitude.

Author Natalie Chodniewicz believes kindness is at the root of all good things and learning to have a thankful heart, in all circumstances, has been a life changer for her family of five. It’s what has held them through the most challenging times. So, with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (“Give thanks in all circumstances.”) in mind, she created Popcorn Thanks to help families start a fun tradition in their homes.

With a beautifully illustrated book that rhymes and an adorable handcrafted, knit in Peru, Popcorn Pearl, your family sits in a circle and passes Pearl along saying something they are grateful for… “the more that you share and give thanks for all things, the more joy you will have, the more happiness it brings.”

Whether it’s played daily, occasionally or brought out for special occasions, you’ll definitely find joy with Popcorn Thanks!

JEWELRY THAT GIVES BACK: 31 BITS

Look good while doing good. We’ve been longtime fans of 31 Bits the socially conscious jewelry company that gives displaced women in Northern Uganda an opportunity to combat poverty through fashion.

The name 31 Bits comes from the Bible in Proverbs 31 which describes the beauty of a woman that provides for her family. From the group of girls that founded the company, to the hundreds of artisans across the globe that have handmade the jewelry, 31 Bits is the real deal. And of top of that, they have great style. We are loving the new Plumeria Ring made from artisans in Indonesia, as well as the Silk Frame Ring from artisans in Bali. The Eddie Triple Strand Necklace is a real head-turner too.

And did you know celebs like Candace Cameron Bure, Sadie Robertson, Ayesha Curry and Jessica Alba are big fans, so their Easter baskets may have a little 31 Bits bling too!

Oh and if you want to know more, and see how far they’ve come, check our interview with one of the 31 Bits founders Alli Swanson back in 2013.