As Easter approaches this year, it’s hard not to notice how much the holiday has evolved. Remember when Easter meant a few chocolate bunnies and maybe some jelly beans? Fast forward to today, and it feels like the holiday has morphed into a second Christmas. The transformation is staggering: families are splurging on extravagant gifts, decorating their homes with intricate Easter-themed decor, and planning elaborate meals. So, when exactly did Easter become the new holiday extravaganza?
According to the National Retail Federation, Easter spending is expected to reach a jaw-dropping $17.3 billion this year. A survey from Prosper Insights and Analytics reveals that consumers will shell out around $2.4 billion on candy and another $2 billion on gifts. The remaining budget typically goes toward clothing, decorations, food, and of course, flowers. That averages out to about $146 spent per person celebrating the holiday.
A quick scan of the internet shows that this trend is not just a fluke. Retailers like Target are jumping on the bandwagon, offering options to “build your own Easter basket.” The top items are predominantly toys, including a $52 Paw Patrol figure and a $40 Zootopia set. It’s no wonder Pinterest is overflowing with tutorials for intricate teacher gifts, elaborate decorations, and even “Easter trees” — yes, actual Christmas trees decked out in springtime ornaments.
What happened to the simplicity of Easter? Once a low-key holiday, it seems we’re now expected to shower our children with a mountain of plastic toys and orchestrate a full day of celebrations. Of course, everyone can spend their money as they see fit, but I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Just imagining next week when my child comes home from school raving about the Easter bunny’s carrot sleigh with a swing set and a new gaming console leaves me feeling a little queasy.
If your family enjoys going all out for Easter, more power to you. But in my household, we keep it simple. A few Godiva bunnies and a coloring book from the dollar section is more than enough to make my family feel festive, and that’s how I prefer to keep it.
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In summary, Easter has transformed from a simple holiday into a grand celebration, with many treating it like a second Christmas. While some families embrace this change with gusto, others like mine prefer to keep the holiday more traditional and straightforward.
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