What do you get kids for Easter?

[Teeki]

So as the title says, what do you get youngsters for Easter? Not young kids, niece and nephew are 11 & 13.

The reason for the question is that MIL has asked that we only buy Easter stuff for the kids, and to make it a gift instead of chocolate. I'm a bit annoyed because:
A) They get a gift for birthdays and Christmas and they're seriously hard to buy for;
B) This is the only time we'd get them chocolate and we always get them something small that is part of a gift type thing anyway;
C) It's come from MIL, not SIL - fair enough if she doesn't want to get us something or us to get her something, but I don't feel she can tell us what to get niece and nephew; and
D) Last year she gave 10 month old DD chocolate for Easter and told us we weren't allowed to eat it!

So if we do 'have' to buy a gift rather than chocolate, what would you recommend?

[nothing2lose]

I only give eggs because, to me, they symbolise the new life that Easter promises.

I have never, and would never, give "presents" for Easter, no matter who told me to do it. It's not a present fest IMO.

Stand your ground, or don't give them anything IMO.

[Tinks]

I give my kids Easter eggs because I'm cheap and refuse to give them presents.

[PumpkinZulu]

I would never and will never get presents for Easter. That's such an odd concept to me. This is DD1's second Easter, but the first she will be given chocolate. I can't wait. We'll also paint eggs

[nothing2lose]

I would never and will never get presents for Easter. That's such an odd concept to me. This is DD1's second Easter, but the first she will be given chocolate. I can't wait. We'll also paint eggs

That's a good idea! You can get painted egg sets.

[Teeki]

Lol, I'm a bit of all of you! Eggs are cheaper, and to us they're kind of the point of Easter. Well not the point, but they have meaning - more than a Bratz dollars anyway! If it was SIL that had said "you know what, the kids are getting loads of chocolate this year and we'd prefer they didn't overload, I'd respect her wishes, they're her kids. But this has just come across as wrong to me.

It's good to read similar responses

[nothing2lose]

The other thing I have heard a lot of people buy is a pair of winter pjs.

[HotI]

I bought DD some wooden egg toys when she was pre-chocolate. Why do you have to buy someone else's kid something for Easter? Isn't that their parents job?

[Heaven]

Yeah, I would only do eggs.

Or the winter PJ thing because I'm often getting new winter ones around this time anyway and I can make that for easter and get them less chocolate instead, LOL.

[RhiChiChi]

Eggs or if specifically requested by the parent of thE child not to buy eggs then a small gift such as a book.

[Heaven]

Oh yeah, a book is a good idea too. Forgot about that, I have given my girls Easter story or activity books too.

[Meercat]

We do books about Easter. Only because everyone else in my family goes crazy with the chocolate so I like to be different.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

An Easter book?
We get our girls a DVD (as we go away, 4hr dr), Easter stickers, ceramic Easter sets.
All Easter based 'gifts' but stuff to keep them occupied while we camp.

[Teeki]

Unfortunately they're not into books or that would be my go-to Usually we get something kind of crafty with the chocolate which they usually like and keeps them occupied. I reckon we might just do the same again. That, or the pj idea.

[AnyDream]

If they are not "into" books that's all the more reason IMO to select a really kick-arse kid-pleaser, then invest some of your auntie time on Easter Day reading it to them.

[Novella]

At that age you could give them some moulds and chocolate to make and decorate their own eggs. It's a gift and you're not giving eggs

I would talk to SIL and see what her preference is and go with that, and if its to give chocolate, if MIL says anything just say oh I was chatting to SIL the other day and she was fine with the kids getting eggs

[Aussiegirl777]

There are cute little ceramic egg cups around. You could get them an egg-cup each and just put a small chocolate egg in the cup. Of course I would check with SIL first and make sure it is 'her' wishes for no chocolate, if so then you could put a tiny soft rabbit or chick in the cup instead of the chocolate egg.

[Pholi]

What about bulbs? My godmother has been giving us bulbs since we were kids, the are also cheap and symbolise new life. She never had time to help us plant them, but for my nieces and nephews, I would give them the bulbs and arrange to be able to plant them right away, and then you get quality time together, and later in the year they get a gorgeous blossoming of daffs, or hyacinths, or whatever.