My 8 year old daughter is the T1 in our house. At first, I panicked too, about what to put in her basket. But when I really started looking for things, it was easy. Auntie Ann's makes organic bunny shaped crackers, like goldfish. I bought a box of them and then divided them into cute little easter baggies with a sticker on each one listing the number of carbs. I also found duck shaped crackers and did the same thing. My daughter loves peanutbutter cups so I put in a few of those Reeses peanutbutter eggs, again with a sticker on each one with the carb count. I also found that because of the peanutbutter in them, they were lower in carbs and didn't make her bs spike at all. It has always been our tradition that the Easter Bunny hides tons of plastic eggs around our yard and they are always filled with some type of candy. This took a while to do but, we filled some with jelly beans and some with Smarties. We weighed out the jelly beans for every egg and put a sticker on each egg with the carb count. The Smarties are 6 carbs per roll and my daughter likes them to treat lows so, that was easy. Then I do like many others have said and put in new markers, stickers, music CD, fun socks, etc. My daughter always thinks the Easter Bunny is so smart to put the carb count on all of her treats! I have 2 other non-D kids and I put pretty much the same stuff in their baskets. The only variation is in maybe a different favorite type of candy and I don't list carb counts for them!
Avasma,
This is also my first Easter with a child with Type 1. My daughter was diagnosed six months ago. I totally know how you feel. I rarely gave my kids candy before, so I know that they won't notice that it is missing now, but it just reminds you of all the things that will have to miss out on. My daughter is in Kindergarten and it breaks my heart when other kids in her class bring in treats to celebrate a birthday and mine has bring hers home or save it for later. Anyways, I feel your pain. I think we need to let ourselves grieve every once in while and then move on. I love the gardening themed basket idea. I'll have to remember that for next year. This year I'm filling my kids baskets with small toys and games.
This too is our first Easter with T1. My daughter was diagnosed just before Halloween - We don't normally give any of our kids (2 almost 3) candy and treat them on holidays. I was at a loss as to "What to do?" My husband came up with the brilliant idea of giving both kids base/softballs since they both play, getting hair ties nail polish things for my daughter and the trading cards my son all of the sudden in into. Very little candy - as a treat is a treat.
Hope you all have a great holiday!
D
My daughter was diagnosed with T1 one week before Easter last year. I still put candy in her basket, including a chocolate bunny, but I also put toy-type items in it. She was thrilled with her very own doctors set along with fancy band-aids and her own alcohol wipes so she could take care of her stuffed animals who are also diabetic. (She was 4 1/2 years old last year). This year I'm going with the summer theme: flip-flops, bathing suit, bubbles, etc.
And as far as the candy goes, she (along with her 2 brothers) know that candy can only be eaten at meals so we can calculate for it. Candy is a reward for eating her meal well. This has worked great to get her to eat new things and eat healthier foods.