Personal finance expert shares 10 tips on how to enjoy a low-cost Easter.

In 2022, it was estimated that Easter spending – including chocolate eggs, family celebrations, and leisure activities – reached £1.3 billion in the UK.

1. Spring scrimping

“Decorating your home for Easter doesn’t need to drain your savings,” Dan says. “For an instant spring hit, look no further than daffodils. Daffs are one of the first flowers to bloom after winter, which is why so many of us automatically associate them with spring. Pick up a couple of bunches at your local supermarket and display them around your house. Aldi are currently selling bunches for 95p each.”*

2. Tree-mendously cheap décor

“Hosting a big, bank holiday family get-together? Easter trees make fantastic centrepieces for your table. Rather than forking out on a ready-made, shop-bought version, have a go at making your own. All you’ll need is a spare vase, some twigs, and a handful of Easter decorations.

“Simply collect some sturdy twigs from the garden or a local park and arrange in a vase for a rustic feel. To finish, drape the branches with colourful hanging egg decorations, such as these from The Works, priced at just £2.”*

3. Penny-saving painting

“Painting hard boiled eggs will keep the kids engrossed for hours. Don’t worry if you don’t have paints – felt tip pens work just as well. You could host a competition to see who can design the funniest egg face!”

4. Supper savings

“Traditionally in the UK, either lamb or ham are eaten on Easter Sunday, both of which can be pricey. For more cost-effective options, you may wish to consider pork or gammon, which tend to be cheaper,” says Dan. “A 1.5kg half leg of lamb costs £12.06 from Aldi, whereas a 1kg joint of smoked gammon is priced at £4.09.*”

5. Economical egg-cellence

“It’s predicted that between 80 and 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are eaten annually, with children in the UK receiving 8.8 eggs a year, equating to an average spending of £56 per child. If displayed side-by-side, 90 million Easter eggs would stretch between the UK and Sri Lanka!

“It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast choice of Easter eggs in supermarkets but take your time to scope out a bargain. Aldi are currently selling an array of Easter goodies starting from 79p,* allowing you to crack open the egg, not your savings. If you have a Morrisons More card, you may be able to get your hands on various branded Easter eggs for as little as 75p – but be quick because, as you can imagine, these offers are in high demand!

“It’s reported that the most popular Easter treat around the world is the Cadbury’s Crème Egg. We scoured a number of UK supermarkets to compare the cost of Crème Eggs.”

We recorded the costs before any applicable membership/Clubcard savings. Value for money ranked from best to worst.*

6. Frugal fun

“Looking to keep the kids entertained on a budget? Set them on an egg hunt while you whip up your Easter feast egg-stravaganza. Hide chocolate eggs and treats around the house and garden for the kids to discover. If you have time, you could even write clues to further the fun. Need some inspiration? Check out this website for 40 ready-made clues that you can print out for free.”

7. Egg and spoon

“For an activity that doesn’t cost a penny, organise a good old-fashioned egg and spoon race. As the name suggests, you need just two items to let the good times roll: spoons and eggs. This is something that both kids and adults can enjoy - you’d be surprised how competitive this game can get!”

8. Movie night

“You can’t beat a movie night at home. Throw on your PJs, tuck into those chocolates, and enjoy a relaxing evening with an Easter-themed film.

“Our family-friendly top picks are:

· Peter Rabbit;

· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory;

· Chicken Run;

· The Dog Who Saved Easter; and

· A Sean the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.”

9. Penny-wise presents

“Easter gifting – in addition to giving eggs - seems to be a relatively new tradition.

Whether you choose to buy Easter presents or not is entirely your decision, and you shouldn’t feel under any pressure to do so. If you do want to treat family and friends to a little extra something, there are numerous low-cost gifts to consider.

“Daffodils – as we mentioned earlier – are both cheap and cheerful, and make gorgeous gifts. For a little extra something, try tying the bunch with a brightly coloured ribbon.

Kids will adore this paint your own bunny moneybox, costing just £2.49* from Home Bargains, and children and big kids alike will be delighted with this Lego rabbit, currently available on Amazon for £9.44.” *

10. Complimentary in the community

“The two-week school holidays can leave even the most patient of us feeling frazzled. Check out your local council website and community social media pages for information on low-cost activities in your area. Over the Easter period, many libraries and churches offer free craft sessions.”

-ENDS- 

About Viva Money 

 

Viva Money is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309).       

   

Website: https://vivamoney.co.uk/ 

   
Dan Whittaker - Personal Finance Expert at Viva Money    

   

Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.    

    

Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.