5 ways to save money on Easter

I’m a hardcore holiday mom. But it’s not just Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween that get me in the spirit of holiday planning. Every Easter I get fired up like a cute little bunny rabbit nibbling on a carrot.

Easter may still be more than 72 hours away, but I’m ready now. Tonight I will spend my evening filling my daughter’s Easter basket with crayons, stuffed animals, books and a variety of popular sweet treats. The ham has already been seasoned and is sitting inside of my fridge, waiting to be cooked on Saturday for Sunday dinner.

The bunny cake will also be baked and decorated on Saturday. After Sunday’s church service, my daughter and I will head over to J.C. Penney for her annual Easter pictures and then we will go home to begin decorating our Minnie Mouse-inspired Easter eggs just in time for our family’s annual adults vs. children Easter egg hunt.

I’m not the only one hopping in excitement. According to a survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association, $2.26 billion will be spent in the U.S. on Easter candy, which is more than the $2.08 billion spent on candy during last Halloween season. Here are some other fun stats…

• 87 percent of parents are planning on either buying or creating Easter baskets for their children.
• Americans are projected to buy more than 700 million marshmallow Peeps for the holiday.
• Over 16 billion jelly beans are made for the holiday, and cherry is the most popular flavor.
• Two-thirds of Americans prefer solid chocolate bunnies to hollow ones, and most agree you start with the ears.

There’s no doubt planning the perfect Easter holiday can put a big dent in your budget. Here are some of my favorite tips to save money on Easter…

• Make your own Easter basket. Easter baskets can cost $10-65 depending on what’s inside. But you can save half or more by creating your own. At the dollar store, you’ll find candy, stuffed animals, arts and craft supplies, ribbons, Easter grass, cellophane paper, snacks, and anything else you may need.

• Attend local events. Check with your library and community center to see if they’re hosting free events with coloring and painting activities, an Easter egg hunt, gifts bags, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and more.

• Don’t buy an egg dye kit. If you already have vinegar, food coloring, and water, you can save $10 on dyeing your eggs. Just like the store-bought dye, the longer it sits in the color, the darker the egg will become.

• Potluck dinner. Instead of spending the weekend cooking, dish out some responsibilities to your family and friends that will be attending. At the very least, they can bring side dishes and desserts.

• Start planning next year early. Take advantage of those after Easter sales. Stock up on non-perishable items, including plastic eggs and grass.