1. Upgrade your eggs
What are the best and most elegant chocolate foil-wrapped eggs? We like Ovetti Italian chocolate eggs filled with flavors like hazelnut, coffee and macaroon $20 a pound, available from The Candy Store.

2. Nix the wicker
Use a woven wooden basket instead of a wicker one. For something more whimsical, use a hat box, a flowerpot or even an edible nest instead of a basket.

3. Bite size is better
Fill clear plastic eggs or cellophane bags with mini versions of all your Easter candy favorites like jelly beans, bunny corn, peeps and mellowcreme mix.

4. Skip the grass
Shredded cellophane grass is tacky and not environmentally friendly. Make a nest of shredded finely colored paper, fluffy tissue paper or natural straw instead.

5. Go pastel
For a sophisticated twist, skip the basket altogether, but keep the candy. Instead of chocolate eggs make a bouquet of bright fruity candy canes or delectable marshmallow ropes tied with a ribbon, $3 each (available from The Candy Store), or fill a glass or ceramic bowl with pretty pink, white and green candy covered chocolate mints or Jordan almonds.

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