There’s been a lot of talk lately about inflation, but hardly anyone is talking about inflation’s toll on how we celebrate holidays like Easter.
Sure, we know to brace for higher costs at the pump and the grocery store, but what about our holiday celebrations?
I’ll be honest with you: I love Easter! It’s not just for the little ones. It’s much more than the chaos of egg hunts, chocolates, and cute bunnies. It’s a beautiful celebration of life, growth, and new beginnings, no matter your religious beliefs.
With that being said, inflation or other economic concerns don’t have to damper your Easter. With some intentional and mindful planning, you can find meaningful ways to celebrate and enjoy the holiday – without breaking the bank (or any eggs)!
But first, I encourage you to ask yourself the following question:
What does Easter mean to my family? What “kind” of Easter family are we?
Your beliefs, personality, and unique family traditions will play a role in HOW you choose to celebrate. While there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate Easter, it is important to recognize the values and traditions that are important to you and your family. Which of the following are important to you?
- Having a family dinner?
- Attending a church service?
- Hosting (or attending) an Easter egg hunt?
- Dressing up, taking photos, and creating memories with your children?
- Spending a quiet day at home?
- Surprising the kids with an Easter basket?
- Hosting a large family gathering?
Similar to Christmas, you can make your Easter celebration whatever you want it to be. The best part? It’s about the values and traditions that are important to your family. This means that you don’t need to break the bank for Easter!
Here are some inexpensive ways to plan your Easter on a budget!
1. Tie Dye Easter Eggs
What I love about this is that you don’t need to purchase an expensive tie-dye egg kit. Instead, all you need are three simple items that you likely already have in your kitchen!
- Eggs
- Paper towels
- Food coloring
First, you’ll want to hard boil the eggs. Once they’ve cooled down, go ahead and wrap them in paper towels.
If you have any rubber bands, feel free to “tie off” the paper towel so it stays tightly wrapped around the egg.
Finally, take the food coloring and drip different colors all over the paper towel, covering the egg. Feel free to spray the outside with water to help the dye really soak into the eggshell. The kids will really love helping with this part, but make sure they’re wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty!
Set aside to dry, and then unwrap the egg to see your creation!
2. Easter Egg Hunt: Classic Edition
Having an Easter egg hunt is one of the most classic, low-key ways to make the morning fun for the kids.
I’d encourage you to look around your community. It’s not uncommon for churches, community centers, and various organizations to host free Easter egg hunts for the community. This is a fun, yet budget-friendly way to celebrate with your kids.
Of course, you can also host your own Easter egg hunt at home!
If you have family coming over, then organize with your relatives to have everyone contribute goodies for the hunt. This will bring the egg hunt to the next level without having to increase your own spending.
Or perhaps you want to organize with your neighbors, friends, or church group to co-host an egg hunt. Divvy up the list of items you need so that everyone can contribute for a fun morning!
- Fillable plastic eggs
- Individually wrapped candy
- Stickers
- Ribbons (to decorate Easter baskets)
- Nickels or quarters (for special “treasure” eggs)
- Small items from the party section of the dollar store
PRO TIP: While it might not help this year, I recommend saving all of the fillable plastic eggs for next year. Reusing the eggs isn’t just good for the environment – it’s also good for your wallet. The little things add up over time!
3. Easter Egg Hunt: Creative Edition
Wanna create some special memories? Then plan a creative Easter egg hunt that the kids won’t expect.
Here’s one idea: instead of candy, fill the eggs with written “special rewards,” similar to a fortune cookie. This will save you money on candy – and the kids will be excited to see what special rewards are inside.
Consider these rewards:
- Choose dessert
- 1-hour tablet or computer time
- Stay up 15 minutes late
- Jump on the bed
- Choose the next movie on movie night
- Skip chores
- Etc.
But it’s not just about what’s inside the eggs. Sometimes it’s about how the kids find the eggs. Maybe you do a nighttime egg hunt with flashlights! Maybe you fill the eggs with clues so the kids have to solve the mystery to find their Easter basket at the end of the hunt. In other words, creativity can go a long way in making your Easter egg hunt special and memorable!
4. Attend a Religious Service
For many families, attending church-related events is important for their Easter celebration. Because Easter is a core holiday for many religions and denominations, churches offer special services and events throughout the week. In most cases, you don’t even have to be a regular member to attend.
Consider the various services and events: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Sunrise services, children’s programs, choir programs, prayer vigils, Easter egg hunts, potlucks, and much more!
Dressing up to attend in your “Sunday best” can make the holiday seem even more special. And don’t forget to take a family photo with everyone dressed up!
5. Host a Family Feast
Let me fill you in on a secret I wish I knew sooner: hosting a family feast doesn’t mean you have to provide all the food!
Instead, invite your family, friends, and neighbors over for a potluck! Have everyone bring a dish to share. Make sure that you have all the bases covered when you divvy up what everyone’s bringing – from appetizers to drinks to desserts!
This is an excellent way to celebrate and spend time with loved ones without busting the budget.
The best part? The meal can be whatever you and your guests want it to be!
Do you want something more traditional with ham and great side dishes? Then go for it! But if you have special foods that your family eats during the holidays, then go for that, too! It’s up to you!
6. Make a Peeps-House
Do your kids looooove Peeps? You know… those cute little marshmallow birds or bunnies?
If so, an affordable, fun activity is to create a Peeps-House.
Think of it as a gingerbread house, except for Peeps! All you need to get at the store are graham crackers, icing, and anything you want to decorate your Peeps houses.
Once your kids are finished creating and decorating the house, simply place the Peeps and candy eggs inside. Kids love this activity because it’s very hands-on and allows them to express their creativity. The best part? They can eat their creation afterward!
7. Play the Egg Toss Game
This is a game that everyone can play and enjoy, even the adults!
The game is simple:
Everyone has to find a partner and face each other. Every pair gets one raw egg. Next, the pair has to throw the egg back and forth. After each toss, the pair has to take one step backward. If the egg crashes on the ground or breaks as you catch it, then you’re out. The last team standing wins!
If people don’t want to play with raw eggs because of the mess, then, of course, you can play with hard-boiled eggs – but be careful: hard-boiled eggs can hurt, especially for the little ones! This is why most people play with raw eggs.
Another option is to do a water balloon toss in lieu of eggs. Of course, be sure to keep an eye on the weather. No one wants to stand around wet if it’s cold outside!
8. Bunny Hop Sack Race
Turning a simple burlap sack into Easter fun has never been easier! Each player gets a sack and has to bunny hop to the finish line!
You can also use pillowcases if you can’t easily get your hands on some burlap sacks. Not only is this fun and inexpensive, but it’s an excellent way for your kids to get some energy out of their system. Don’t be surprised if they ask to race again and again!
9. Old Fashioned Egg-&-Spoon Race
Another classic, fun game is the egg-&-spoon race. Simply place an egg into a spoon and have each player hold their spoon and egg the exact same way.
Once you say “GO,” everyone has to race to the finish line. If someone drops their egg, then they have to pick it up, go back to the start line, and begin again. The first person to the end without breaking their egg wins!
Final Thoughts
What are some ways that you celebrate with your family? Feel free to leave your tips and ideas in the comments section below. You never know who might see your ideas and try them out!
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