Coupon Queen: Keeping spending in check for Easter

Easter is only four weeks away, and over the years, the holiday has grown into something that rivals Christmas for some families. New dressy clothes and shoes, wrapped gifts and elaborate Easter baskets make costs add up quickly. The good news is that creating a memorable Easter doesn't have to strain your budget. Here are a few ways you can be creative while keeping your spending in check: Focus on needs Easter baskets don't have to be filled with only toys and candy. They can also include items your child already needs. Look for things that you would be buying anyway, such as pool floats or goggles for an upcoming vacation, favorite after-school snacks, or summer essentials like flip-flops and sunglasses. It's a simple way to stretch your holiday budget. Skip the pre-wrapped baskets. I recently walked down this aisle, price-checked these baskets, and was really surprised by the cost. These ready-to-grab baskets at the store may be convenient, but they're often filled with low-quality toys and candy that kids lose interest in quickly. Creating your own basket is usually less expensive and allows you to choose items that fit each child's personality and interests. Reuse When my boys were little, I picked up quality Easter baskets on clearance. We used the same ones every year while they were growing up, and no one minded. I'd even use the plastic grass and eggs. It may be a small thing, but it's one less item to buy every spring. Shop discount stores Budget-friendly stores like Dollar Tree and Marc's are packed with Easter basket fillers. Younger kids will love bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hair bows and summer pajamas. For teens, look for practical items like hairbrushes, razors, nail polish, socks, water bottles, journals and mints. These are things they'll actually use long after the holiday is over. Fill your own eggs Buying empty plastic eggs and filling them yourself is much cheaper than buying pre-filled ones. In past years, I'd fill our eggs with coins, erasers, hair ties or small pieces of candy. You can also add snack-size treats like raisins, trail mix or fruit snacks. Many of these items may already be on your grocery list so that the extra cost may be minimal. Buy second hand Before heading to a big box store for new Easter clothes, stop by a thrift shop. I recently popped in and found a beautiful spring dress that I'll wear for Easter. Since many kids only wear their Easter outfits a couple of times, secondhand options can save a lot of money, especially if you're buying for multiple children. Look for classic styles that your child can wear again for other occasions later in the spring or summer. Easter memories aren't about how much you spend. Kids will remember the fun egg hunts, filled baskets and time spent together far more than the price tag. This week's deal Here's a deal that you can grab at Walgreens. This is one of my favorite deals!Walgreens food storage bags — buy 1, get 2 free= 93¢ each when you buy 3 Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at rachelkrych@gmail.com.