How to Have a Natural Easter while Supporting our Local Dayton Businesses

It's simple to support our local, Dayton business and have a green Easter when you've your own green Easter bunny, or Honey. I'm sharing with you all the tricks that come from nearly 20 years of green living, so you can make your own natural Easter.

Instead of buying a plastic (made in China) basket from big box stores, consider heading over to your local second hand stores and check out all the baskets there. These wooden baskets will bring a sense of history and awaken your child's senses of the natural world around them. Bring nature into the home; support a local charity and leave all the toxic materials out of the home.

Plastic grass isn't safe for pets and...it doesn't feel good to the touch. You can purchase paper grass that's all crinkly or make your own by sending some cardstock or construction paper through the shredder. Or grow your own grass using wheat grass. 

This year...Easter snuck up on us so we're heading over to our local health foods store, Health Foods Unlimited to buy a tray...or two! They come in flats that are about a foot by two feet and that'll fill 2-3 baskets depending on the size of your basket. Just be sure to add a plastic liner as this is a living, growing plant and gently mist it with water and place it in a window for some sunlight. After Easter piece it back together and let the kids use it as a playscape. Or start having daily shots of wheat grass to improve your health. It does taste like grass...but...it's worth it!

Once again, your local health food store will have you covered. There's an assortment of fair trade candy bars, elaborate chocolate shaped animals, and lots of healthy and very tasty lollipops. There's sugar free, gluten free, raw, vegan and natural, real sugar or Stevia sweetened goodies available. There's also our own local Esther Price candy which makes the best non-organic chocolate candies around. Stop and pick up some fresh made chocolates at one of their many local shops or from your local grocer. You can even get a picture with The Easter Bunny at their store locations from now until Easter from 11-5 pm. So don't forget your camera!

Now, the Easter Bunny takes care of the kids but often times he overlooks mom, dad and the other big kids. So why not help him out?  Dad and the other big boys would enjoy a basket that held some new golf balls and tees, but what about adding a lesson or a membership to one of our local golf courses. Or perhaps give them all gift cards to one of the 'guy' local independent restaurants - complete with drinks, wings, and big screen TV's to enjoy the game. But don't forget that the Dayton Dragons will be starting April 7th and season tickets for Easter would be wonderful!

Mom and the other girls would love one of Frownies beauty products (Dayton OH) in their Easter baskets: 'Beautiful Eyes Bag' or their 'Face Lift in a Bag' which is a 3-6 month skincare system, made of all natural ingredients, no animal products and helps improve one's appearance without chemicals or injections. You can either order online and have them in 2-3 days if you're sending it local or pick them up from one of the local salons or health food stores like Dorothy Lane Market.  Also check out our list of local Gift Shops.

There's also gift certificates for a spa retreat - consider a local spa like Revitalize MD  - or even a soothing massage from a local certified massage therapist. I would bet this would keep you off the naughty list until after Thanksgiving...then you'll have to come back to Dayton Local for more bribes er um..ideas.

Happy Easter!