Easter baskets can make the eyes of a child—or an adult—light up. However, once the candy is eaten, the basket either takes up space or gets tossed in the trash. These tips can help you find Easter basket options that are useful and sustainable, but still fun.

Use a bowl instead of a basket. You could take a colorful mixing bowl from the kitchen, or you could buy one that you are sure you could use later.

Make the basket into a gift. Let the basket pull double duty. Invest in a miniature toy chest, and then fill it with Easter goodies. Or, for a less expensive basket, you could buy a hat your child would love. Turn it upside down, and add the candies and gifts. Just be sure to set the basket away from the sunlight so chocolate doesn’t melt inside.

Re-use a shoe box. Grab a spare shoe box from your closet, and decorate the outside by painting it in pastel colors or wrapping it in tissue paper. Then, you toss the box out with your paper recycling.

Choose a basket you can keep. If you want to get a more traditional basket, find a basket in a neutral color. Then make sure it is sturdy and can hold plenty of items. Your child can use it to store toys, or you can even use it in the garden or around the house. Baskets can help you corral those little items that always seem to disappear, like remote controls. Even better, you can just use the same basket when Easter rolls around next year.

Plan to make a guest basket. If your child isn’t all that interested in the basket, and you don’t have a use for it, all is not lost. An old Easter basket can be used to store items like mini-soaps, towels and shampoos. Then, you can set out the basket any time you have an overnight guest.

Any of the above options can help you make the most of an Easter basket, and they can help you think of alternatives before you invest in any gift container.