Easter might not inspire as much spending as other holidays, but it’s not exactly easy on wallets either. Between gifts, food, and activities, it can add up. We’re sharing some wallet-friendly Easter ideas to make the kids and your wallet happy.
According to the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), around half of Canadians will spend some money related to the Easter holidays. The RCC says they expect that over 80% Canadians participating in Easter will spend up to $100.
At first, this might not look like a huge number, but let’s add a little context. Over half of Canadians don’t have the means to cover an unexpected bill of over $200. Taking that one fact alone into consideration brings a new perspective on Easter costs.
With that in mind, we’re offering up some simple budget-friendly Easter ideas. So those who participate can enjoy the traditions that are important to them without a stressful financial fallout.
Delicious dinner
A keystone to every holiday is the food, but grocery bills can add up quickly, especially these days. The Bank of Canada reported that, compared to the year before, food inflation was up 5% in December, its highest since 2023. Even more astonishing, it’s up 22% since 2022. Here are some simple Easter ideas to keep food costs from eating into your budget.
Potluck
There are so many advantages to doing a potluck! As the saying goes, “many hands make light work.” With everyone chipping in a dish, it means less cost and work is loaded onto one person’s (or a family’s) shoulders. No one’s going to bring something they don’t like, so going potluck style also guarantees there will be something on the table that everyone likes.
Dinner pool
This one is particularly for the cooking geniuses in the family who love to cook, but find it hard to cover the grocery bill. Instead of doing a potluck, you can do a dinner pool. A dinner pool is when someone still takes on the cooking, everyone else chips in to cover, or at least, partially cover the cost of the food.
Make a switch
Keeping food costs low can also be as simple as making a switch. For example, instead of salmon, go for a more affordable ham. Or, go shopping in your pantry first and build the menu around what you find. Breakfast food is always less expensive, so opt for a brunch instead of dinner.
Gifts
Sounds cliché, but it’s true when people say that it’s the thought that counts. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful and loved. Here are a few Easter ideas for creative and special gifts the recipient will love.
Personalized item
Spruce up an affordable item by personalizing it. Start with an item they’ll love, or that you know they’ll use. Water bottles, notebooks, and mugs are all great options. Then let your creativity take over by personalizing the item. You could add their name, or something they enjoy, like their favourite band or movie.
Focus on needs
To help keep costs down, keep an eye out for something that needs to be replaced. Maybe the kids need new shoes. Or, maybe you could get sheets with their favourite character on them because the current sheets are wearing out. They’ll get something fun to open, and you’ll save a little cash by not spending money on both a gift and replacing that item.
Second-hand
Thrift stores and online marketplaces are a treasure trove of savings. Just leave yourself plenty of time to find something. Don’t forget that many thrift stores will give you a discount coupon when you bring in a donation.
Activities
Activities don’t need to be expensive to be fun! Here are some Easter ideas for memory-making things to do while the family celebrates.
Egg hunt
Egg hunts are an Easter staple, and for good reason. They’re fun! Here are some ideas for putting an interesting twist on the traditional egg hunt that can help cut down on costs (and as a bonus, sugar!) Tip: Save extra cash by using reusable eggs for these ideas.
- Kids love cash! Getting to choose what they want to buy with it makes them feel empowered, and it’s a great tool for counting and learning good money habits.
- Homemade coupons for things like extra screen time or to get out of a chore will always be a kid pleaser.
- Buy a kid-friendly puzzle and put a piece or two in each egg. The kids will have a blast looking for all the pieces and then another blast putting the puzzle together. Fewer chances of missing an egg, too, because you’ll know one will be missing if a piece of the puzzle isn’t found.
Bingo
Everyone enjoys a good old-fashioned game of bingo. Get some exercise and make it an adventure, too, by filling each square with something from nature. Go out for a walk and see who finds everything to get Bingo first. Or, for another twist, you can make it an Easter-specific Bingo.
Community activities
Many cities and towns offer a whole variety of very low-cost or even free community events over Easter weekend. Check out your local community centres, libraries, and government websites to see if there’s something that would work for your family.
Other money-saving tips
- Start a sinking fund to help ease any strain on your budget over Easter.
- Use reward points to help cover the costs of any food or gifts.
- Check out any memberships you’re a part of, for example, university alumni or professional associations, to see if they offer any discounts.
- Keep all your Easter ideas from cleaning out your wallet by setting a budget and sticking to it.
- Don’t get lured into using high-interest debt like credit cards or buy now, pay later programs.
Wrap-up
These are just a few Easter ideas you can use to make the most of the holiday without putting stress on your finances. If you do end up splurging and are struggling to pay off debt, our trained Credit Counsellors can help. During a free consultation, after gathering some relevant info from you, they will make an informed recommendation of how to address your debt.
