AIBU to consider not giving out Easter eggs at toddler group this year?

[BelfastSmile]

I run a toddler group (once a week, in a church hall, costs £1.50 per morning - just to give you an idea of how we operate, budget etc). At Easter we usually give all the children (aged 1-3, with an occasional 4-year-old) an Easter egg (babies get a small stuffed toy or something like that). We give them the smallest eggs we can get - usually Buttons or Smarties, but they're still fairly big for a small child. In the past a few parents have said things like "Oh, chocolate - well, you can have a little bit, since it's Easter" to their children - basically giving the impression that they don't really want their child to have that much chocolate.

No one has ever complained, though. However, I'm wondering whether it would be better to give out something else, like an Easter activity book or something. A single egg is probably OK, but most go to a different group every day, so are potentially getting 5 eggs just from toddler groups.

On the other hand, some people would feel they'd missed out if they didn't get an Easter egg from us.

What does everyone reckon? If you go to a toddler group, what would you prefer - an egg, or something else, like a book or toy? Would you feel you'd been hard done by if your child didn't get an Easter egg? Or would you be glad to have less chocolate in the house?

I did Easter egg hunts round the garden for both of mine and their friends.I used those egg shaped plastic-y things and filled with chicks/little toys. No chocolate, mainly because dd, the oldest, reacts badly to a sugar rush (badly being the operative word). The children all had fun and a gift and the parents liked the idea too, in fact I've lent out my 'eggs' quite a few times.

Another vote from me for a little egg or bunny chocolate shape from those nets you get in the supermarkets. I used to give them to the 4-6 year olds who attended my drama class.

I would rather they didn't get a chocolate egg. I'm happy for my toddler to have a little bit of chocolate but I don't even like Easter eggs from grandparents.. One from us is plenty even for the older dc, plus some crafts, books etc. Tbh if my toddler was given one at a group I'd either give it away or eat it myself.

I'd just give the small soft toys to all the children. My three and six year old would love that.

They just sing the "Well seeing as its Easter you can have chocolate as they think it will impress others. Whereas in reality. No one gives a shiny shit.

I think it's a lovely idea to treat the children to something sweet at Easter. Other great ideas ( and what I remember doing as a child) that don't include naughty treats would be to blow out big goose eggs and encourage the children to get decorating. This way they can then take home a treat that they have contributed to and have as a decoration in the house. Secondly, Easter biscuits are a great alternative if you have the facilities you could spend a morning making the biscuits with the children? Or buy them in, perhaps if they are cute and pretty like theses... www.biscuiteers.com/shop/easter ... the parents won't be so strict? Perhaps there will be enough for the parents too! That will keep them happy! Nat xx

Aldi do little chicks and bunnies maybe you could give out those or do little bags of mini eggs if the parents are iffy about bigger eggs

My ds has a diary allergy, I don't expect people to cater for this but he's getting to the age where he's wondering why he can't have what everyone else is having. So it would make my life easier if you didn't do the easter egg.

Also my other ds gets eggs from us, grandparents, aunties etc...it's just too much chocolate!