A meaningful family Easter celebration doesn’t have to entail a springtime spending spree, especially if you’ve just finished paying off the bills from Christmas. Here are ways to enjoy the holiday while keeping to a budget.
Prioritize meaningful family time
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Over the past couple of years we’ve learned that videoconferencing isn’t just for the workplace; it can bring friends and family together from all over the world. If you haven’t tried it already, check out free teleconferencing services such as Skype, Zoom and Discord. On Easter Sunday, you can create a conference video or audio call. Facetime is another free service you can use if everyone has an iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac.
Use the occasion to tell stories of your childhood or your ancestors to your kids. Tell stories from past Easters, or get older family members to talk about holidays they remember. It’s a great way to forge connections even when apart.
If the weather is warm and you have family nearby, gather for a potluck. Consider a picnic with everyone bringing their own food. A walk or hike is a great activity to share with friends and relatives, as is an Easter egg hunt for the younger set.
Celebrate with food
Photo credit: Deposit photos
Brunch is a cheap meal to serve to a crowd, since egg dishes are an inexpensive source of protein. Juice, coffee and tea are also thrifty beverage options. If you want to splurge for the adults, serve mimosas with orange juice and cheap champagne; save the good bubbly for occasions when champagne is served on its own.
You can start the day off with these tasty ham, egg and cheese brunch cups from one of my favorite websites for recipes, Pinch of Yum, or try their egg and croissant brunch bake. The Food Network is a great resource for free recipes, like this classic glazed ham recipe or this roasted lamb recipe from Tasty.
If lamb stew is your preferred meal, this recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen will leave you filled. Of course, a great meal is nothing without awesome side dishes, like these honey glazed carrots from Food Network and these mouth-watering sautéed brussels sprouts.
Save room for dessert though and you can choose from these 80 Easter desserts on the Delish website. I personally prefer the Easter Egg Oreo Truffle.
Got leftovers? Keep the cooking fun going after the holiday using our article on five ways to use leftover Easter ham.
Make Easter crafts and decor
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on materials to create great Easter decorations. We have tips for making gorgeous dyed Easter eggs that are Instagram-worthy but easy enough for the kids to do.
Make your own living Easter basket as a beautiful and practical centerpiece. All it takes is a basket (they’re usually extra-cheap at thrift stores and dollar stores), potting soil and sphagnum moss, and some potted plants and seeds from your local nursery.
If you’re looking for other decorations you can do at home, check out the DIY & Crafts website where they will show you how to make a rabbit from a styrofoam cup and how to make a centerpiece from an old book.
If you have a printer at home, Crayola has a lot of free coloring pages you can print and give to your children to keep them busy for hours. Maybe even put them in their Easter baskets. Other websites that have free Easter printables are The Spruce Crafts and Free Coloring Pages.
Host an egg hunt
Of course, the essential thing to do on Easter at home is have an Easter egg hunt! Make a family affair out of dying Easter eggs, then hide them inside the house or in the backyard for some Easter Egg hunt fun with your nearest and dearest. Or use plastic eggs and fill them with candy or even coins. (In our neighborhood, we have a “golden egg” that contains a $5 bill for the lucky finder.) Take photos of the children with their baskets full of goodies.
Dress up for family photos
While everyone is together, get the family dressed up and take family photos in your backyard or in a park; use a tripod or even a flat surface to set the camera and use the timer function to get everyone in the picture. Or, trade off the photographer duties with other families in attendance.
You don’t have to splurge on new outfits, especially for the kids: Borrow clothes from a neighbor or look for free or used clothes through online swap groups or consignment stores. Easter outfits often get worn only a few times, so secondhand dresses and suits for kids still look brand new.
Finally, check out our separate article on frugal ways to save on Easter for more ideas on having a thrifty but memorable holiday.
More articles on Living on the Cheap:
- Great ways to use leftover ham
- Easter egg decorating ideas
- Frugal ways to save on Easter
- Grow your own Easter basket
- What to do with leftover Easter eggs
- Keep spring vegetables fresh
