Don’t let Easter spending catch you by surprise

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Easter may be a short holiday for some and not thought about by many, but it can lead to purchases that might surprise your budget.

In 2024, 84% of Brits were planning to celebrate Easter, which is a 10% increase from the year before[1]. It’s expected that this year, people are planning to spend £147 for Easter[2], but this may increase as many spend more than they initially planned.

Collect your Easter eggs in a money-conscious basket

It’s estimated that between 80 to 90 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year[3]. Retailers know how to tempt us with new trends like pistachio Easter eggs or the custard biscuit egg (which doesn’t even look like an egg).

Brits are now spending more than £400 million on Easter eggs a year[3]. With children receiving over eight Easter eggs a year – at an average of £5.72 per egg[3], that’s a whopping £45.76 on chocolate for just one child!

This can be even more expensive depending on which Easter egg you’re buying. Today’s eggs are bigger than ever, with more goodies inside (sometimes even a toy) which means they come with an even heftier price tag!

How much do you pay to entertain your child at Easter?

The Easter holidays can also become expensive, especially when you have children you need to occupy as they’re off from school. Last year, American Express found that parents can spend up to £3,045 per child to keep them entertained during the school holidays[4]. This can mean parents have to pay for childcare, clubs, camps, eating out and maybe even a holiday away (if they’ve been able to get the time off and money to pay for it).

In England, the average holiday childcare cost is £173.14 per week[5] and with the Easter holidays lasting about two weeks, that’s a total of £346.28 per child. So, some parents are debating whether it’ll be better to use their annual leave and stay with their children rather than paying for childcare.

Need help with childcare costs? Here’s what you can do

Thankfully, for those who are struggling financially, there’s help out there:

Holiday activities and food programme – free holiday clubs for kids in receipt of free school meals.
Help for childcare registered with Ofsted – check online for benefits to support childcare costs, which might include holiday camps and other holiday activities.
Childcare element of working tax credits – claim the childcare element when you’re eligible.
Tax-free childcare – receive up to £500 per child to help with childcare costs.
Universal Credit – claim up to 85% of your childcare costs if eligible.
Check out other benefits – use our benefits calculator to see which other benefits you may be eligible for to help pay towards childcare costs and other expenses.

Entertain the kids without breaking the bank

Find holiday clubs– search for holiday play schemes in your area.
The Outward Bound Trust– apply through their adventure fund if you’re on a tight budget and are interested in adventure courses for your children.
Go Beyond– free breaks for kids aged 8-13 across the UK.
Family Holiday Charity– British seaside breaks for families struggling with low incomes.
The Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust– financial assistance towards holidays for women in need.
Horton Women’s Holiday Centre – affordable holidays for women and children.

Easter fun without the hefty price tag

We’ve put together some budget-friendly ideas if you’re choosing to celebrate Easter this year:

Host a DIY Easter egg hunt at home or in the local park.
Pack a picnic for your back garden or a nearby park.
Get crafty by making Easter decorations and cards.
Bake Easter treats instead of buying them.
Have an Easter-themed movie marathon.
Check local listings for free Easter events in your area.
Go for a nature walk or organise a scavenger hunt.
Volunteer or donate to a local charity -celebrating Easter by giving back is both meaningful and free.