Five Great ... Spots to Find Unique Gifts for Easter Baskets
Tara Burghart Monday, April 18, 2011 at 10:31AM With Easter coming up on Sunday, it seems a perfect time to highlight five places to find gifts for Easter baskets beyond the typical chocolates from the drugstore.
Photo courtesy of Peaceful Parlour.* Peaceful Parlour in downtown Geneva sells beautiful, handmade Bolgatanga baskets from Ghana, West Africa. The baskets are made from a grass local to Ghana and help supplement farmers’ incomes. The shop also offers silks (dyed in Batavia) that you could substitute in a basket in place of plastic grass, as well as eco-friendly egg decorating kits. A makeup-loving teen would appreciate the store's recycled pewter compacts, made in the USA and decorated with fun sayings.
* Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream in downtown Geneva and downtown Wheaton carries a chocolate bunny carrying an umbrella, a chocolate bunny carrying a basket, two chocolate bunnies riding a motorcycle. What? Oh nevermind. It’s all delicious Graham’s chocolate. The shop also offers jelly bean "carrots," chocolate suckers, Easter-decorated oreos, etc. I waited in line more than 20 minutes to buy chocolates here a couple days before Christmas, so I’d recommend stopping by early in the week.
* If you’re trying to cut down on the sugary treats, how about a book in the Easter basket? Maybe “The Velveteen Rabbit” or a collection of Beatrix Potter stories? Town House Books & Cafe in St. Charles and Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville are always great choices if you’re looking to support an independent bookshop.