Here comes Peter Cottontail. Shopping down the bunny trail. Hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its way.

I get the lamb and the egg part, but how the Resurrection of Jesus ever became associated with fuzzy bunnies, carrots and baskets full of Peeps and chocolate is beyond me.

But that’s a debate for another day. And far be it from me to blast commercialism. Especially when it involves malted milk eggs.

I love Easter – always have. When I was a girl, the Easter Bunny would hop into town with a small but artful basket full of several favorites – tiny jelly beans, a solid Len Libby chocolate bunny, a painted egg and a stuffed animal. When we spent Easter at my grandparents’ house, my grandfather would present my sister and me with German papier-mache eggs filled with treats, and then we’d have an egg hunt. It was a blast.

Even though I don’t have children yet, that doesn’t mean I can’t shop for Easter goodies. Besides, Peter Cottontail could use all the help he can get.

If I were the Easter Bunny, I’d hop into Target in Bangor for a basket, or, in this case, a bucket – I’m partial to the marabou-trimmed chickie pail and the metal eggs that look like they’re made of pressed tin. The translucent Chinese takeout boxes at Borders in Bangor are great for small treats, and while you’re there, you could pick up a copy of “The Velveteen Rabbit” or Beatrix Potter’s “Peter Rabbit” for a young reader. Throw in one of the plush Easter bookmarks by the checkout, and you’ve got a great Easter present.

Next, I’d head to Jo-Ann Fabrics on Stillwater Avenue, which has every type of Easter doodad imaginable – and it’s all on sale for 60 percent off. I liked the selection of raffia, paper grass, and cellophane to wrap baskets.

Then I’d hop over to T.J. Maxx ‘n More on Broadway, where I would grab some elegant plates for Easter dinner – stoneware made in Portugal and glazed in pretty green and rose. The next stop on my hop would be Marshalls on Union Street, which has the most adorable egg cups ever – little yellow chicks holding up eggshells.

After a detour to Winterport to pick up Lake Champlain Chocolate carrots at Molly’s, I would head to the ultimate Easter destination: Ingrid’s German Shop on Buck Street in Bangor. Her selection of imported goodies is amazing. Among my favorites are the German papier-mache eggs (just like Grandpa used to get), the hollow but cute foil-wrapped bunnies, the hand-painted pewter ornaments, and the delicate pastel eggs. Also noteworthy are the painted Russian eggs, the German wood figurines, and the enormous chocolate bunny near the cash register.

It’s enough to make Peter Cottontail stop in his tracks.

ShopNotes

. It’s Old Navy’s 10th birthday this weekend, and stores will be celebrating with $10 deals, giveaways and games. For more information, visit Old Navy in Augusta or Portland (sadly, not Bangor), or visit www.oldnavy.com.

. In response to my home-improvement column, Beulah Grant wrote in to suggest Twin City Tile on State Street in Brewer for great prices and “pleasant, cheerful” service. She writes, “We happened to stop in Twin City Tile after looking for ‘the perfect tile’ for months. We showed T (the owner) a sample of the composite decking that will be next to the tile. The first tile that he pulled out is THE ONE! … In addition, when we ran out of a particular kind of glue and appeared in his shop at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon, he called another business, found the item and asked them to stay open until we arrived at their store.” Thanks for the recommendation, Beulah, and as always, happy shopping!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476.