Australian mums share how they’re celebrating Easter on a budget – with some spending less than $20 on the holiday

Frugal Australian mums share how they’re celebrating Easter on a budget, with many arranging the holiday for less than $20.

Parents are feeling the pressure as gifts become common at Easter, but many are taking a ‘less is more’ approach as the cost of living continues to put pressure on Australian families.

One mother said she goes grocery shopping and then celebrates Easter a week late with her young children, and another mother saves her money by never buying “anything in a box” and sticking to packets of chocolates which are much cheaper.

‘Mothers, can we discuss Easter on a budget? What are your best budget hacks for kids at Easter? Where have you found the best bargains? Can you share some great ideas?” asked a woman on the Moms who budget and save Facebook group.

The question generated hundreds of helpful responses, including from one mum who said she buys €1.70 chocolate bunnies from Aldi and Cadbury on sale.

‘My children don’t need branded chocolate, but I do. Few plastic eggs to add to the hunt. “I can’t find cheap chocolate in hollow eggs this year,” she said.

‘Don’t go overboard. I’m going to sound like an “old person” but growing up in the 80’s and 90’s we got chocolate eggs/bunnies on Easter Sunday. And that’s it,” said another saver.

‘No Easter boxes, Easter Eve boxes, baskets full of stuff. To me, all that just adds money and stress. My kids each get pajamas and I have a chocolate bunny and some medium and small eggs for an egg hunt.”

A budgeter shared her ‘controversial’ Easter plan.

“While my children were young enough not to realize when Easter weekend was, I would celebrate Easter the following week and buy eggs for less than half the price,” she said.

‘Even if the Easter bunny phase was over, I would do the same. I’m not religious, so the actual holiday obviously had no meaning to me.”

“$6 Freddo Frog egg each from Big W and a pack of solids to share on a little hunt around the house. Less than $20 for two kids,” another explained.

‘Three kids, they all get a Humpty Dumpty and an egg hunt with some little hollow eggs and mini eggs. That is it. That’s all they need,” a third replied.

One mother said they never buy eggs in a carton because of the high price, while another mother plans ahead and buys clothes as gifts when they are reduced in price.

‘I don’t buy anything in a box. My kids have buckets and I buy all the things special in a pack of many and divide them up. I put a big bunny in each one,” someone suggested.

One mother goes shopping and celebrates Easter with her children a week late, while another mother never buys ‘anything in a box’ and sticks to packets of chocolates that are much cheaper

‘Whenever winter clothes go on sale (at the end of the season, when everything costs €3-€5), I buy a set of pajamas, a sweater and slippers, usually for less than €15 per child, and do it add a few eggs at the end,” wrote a second. .

One woman said she only spent her money on treats for an Easter egg hunt, which her children love.

‘We just did an Easter egg hunt, they’re having so much fun. We give them baskets and carrier bags and they go wild to find the eggs. We only spend about $10 on hunting eggs and a few more dollars on bags,” she said.

We each put on a pair of pajamas, a large bunny and a few small eggs. I don’t think they need anything more. My kids are more excited about the fact that Easter morning is the only day they can eat chocolate for breakfast and all day long without having to ask!” laughed for a second.

One member said she usually “overdoes” during the holidays, so make sure she buys special treats.

‘Woolies and Coles often have sales, as does Big W. I always compare prices before shopping. Also, you don’t have to strictly buy Easter eggs or Easter-themed chocolates,” she said.

‘I buy my children one egg each. I’m getting the Humpty Dumpy which is $7 at Woolies this week. So it’s $21. Done and dusted,” another mother responded.

“Kmart has little bunnies for $1 and they are tasty!” someone added.