Easter initiates us into Autumn, bringing with it pastel colours, sunshine and bunnies galore. The holiday provides valuable family time that can be celebrated with sweets, gifts, feasting — and without overspending. Easter on a budget is easy to do.

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to pay a high price for holiday fun. Your guide to savvy Easter shopping for eager and excited children is right here.

The Candy Hunt

Before the kids can go rummaging through the yard or house to find the hidden goodies, you have to go out and purchase the candy to put in those eggs. And here’s the crazy part: Consumers will spend millions of Rands on chocolates, marshmallow birds and other treats. Save your family money by spending a few extra minutes in your hunt for sweets.

Here are some Easter egg filler ideas:

• Shop at superstores and buy candy in bulk. This costs less, and the leftovers can be used for lunch surprises or rewarding good behavior.
• Stay away from name-brand sweets. Cadbury eggs and Starburst jelly beans are not necessities. Most children will agree that generic candy tastes just as sweet.
• Use fun stuff that’s already in the cupboard, like fruit snacks. If it’s bite-size and yummy, kids will jump at the chance to have a stash of it.

Inexpensive Easter Basket Treasures

Yes, all the fluffy bunnies and yellow chicks lining store shelves are adorable, but they don’t have to be Easter basket must-haves. Pre-made baskets aren’t a necessity, either. Instead, do it yourself and think autumn colors, fun trinkets (not necessarily Easter themed) and low prices.

Here are some filler ideas for your DIY Basket:

• Small boxes of crayons are a great replacement for that broken set of peeled crayons sitting in an old pencil box.
• Sparkly barrettes and hair accessories are treasures girls will love.
• Hot Wheels are always hot with boys.
• Bright socks are practical, and the brighter the color, the more fun they are.
• Stickers. Whether they’re putting the stickers on their hands or in books, kids love stickers.

Bonus tip: Put the treasures in last year’s Easter baskets and add a little flair with ribbons, bows or felt bunny ears. If you don’t have last year’s, just remember to keep the ones you buy this year in storage for next time.

And Finally … It’s Time to Eat!

My grandma always had the best honey-baked ham ready for Easter dinner, so I understand sticking with a main dish that’s become a tradition. There is nothing quite so delicious as golden brown slices of salty ham with a sweet taste around the edges. However, you can save money on other parts of the meal.

Head to the grocery store, and save by choosing less expensive sides and drinks.

Grocery List:

• Frozen bread dough. Bake the rolls yourself instead of buying prepackaged dinner rolls that are marked up for holidays. All you have to do is put these on a baking sheet and toss them in the oven.
• Bag of Potatoes. Instead of buying boxes of instant mashed potatoes, save money by purchasing bags of potatoes that can be used for mashed, scalloped or roasted potatoes — whatever is your favorite.
• Cheap wine, frozen juice concentrate, and oranges, for … sangria! This one is just for the grown-ups. Buying good wine for a whole group of people can be costly, so instead mix wine with juice, and add fruit. Use the leftover oranges as snacks for the kids.

Bonus tip: Providing side dishes, drinks, the main dish and dessert can add up, especially if lots of guests are coming over, so divide and conquer: Everyone appreciates Easter on a Budget so try a potluck. A potluck divides the financial responsibility and ensures that your table will have a bit of variety.

If you feel the Easter Bunny has hopped away with your money and you are wondering if you need debt conselling, feel free to contact us.

References:

www.debt.org/blog/how-to-celebrate-easter-holiday-cheap