Easter holiday money-saving tips

The Easter holidays are often our first chance to have some quality time off with the family in the spring sunshine – weather permitting, of course. Easter Sunday falls on 20 April this year, so let's hope for no late April showers.

Easter eggs, family dinners, days out and trips away can mean Easter is an expensive time of year. The banking website Finder estimated that Brits spent over £2 billion on Easter 2024, averaging £53 per person. This included purchases such as chocolates, gifts, decorations, and entertainment. But the Easter holidays don’t have to be so costly – you can find ways to save money with my practical and budget-friendly ideas and tips here.

Plan ahead

One of the best ways to save money is to plan your activities in advance and ask the family what they want to do. Why not ask everyone to suggest three ideas on a budget, and see which options are the most popular that several people choose?

A day trip to some beautiful gardens is a lovely way to spend a spring day, so you could plan a trip to Kew Gardens, where you have unlimited entry with Boundless membership. 

Or perhaps you could head to one of Historic Royal Palaces impressive sites, including the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace which has a members-only Minibeast Hunt on 14th April. Perfect for the history buffs, why not make the most of unlimited entry included with Boundless Plus membership.

You might also be planning a trip that requires a long train journey – if so, book tickets six weeks in advance to get the best prices.

Stay local

If you’d prefer to stay local, explore if there are any local attractions and beauty spots you might have missed in the past, or revisit favourites. Is there a local nature reserve, or lakes, river walks with a park where you can have a picnic and play ball games? 

We’re huge fans of nearby Stanborough Lakes where we can walk for miles, bird-spotting and spying on what fish are being caught. Do also check out local museums and art galleries that are often free to enter, it’s always interesting to learn about your local town's history.

Get crafty

Get creative with your Easter decorations and activities. Instead of buying expensive decorations, make your own with bits you have saved at home. 

We love a rustic Easter tree (find lots of crafty ideas from Gathered) where you pick some twigs from your garden or a country walk and hang them with painted eggs on ribbons. Get the children involved in the crafting process for a fun family activity.

Organise an Easter Egg hunt at home

I have three teenage boys and we still do an Easter Egg hunt every Easter Sunday – they love it. I buy a multipack of small eggs, plus three bigger chocolate eggs and hide them high and low in the garden. Or for even more fun, get the neighbours involved and organise a mass hunt with the children in a safe place.

Cook up a feast

Instead of dining out, plan and prepare meals at home. Cooking at home is not only cheaper but also healthier. If you’re having family or friends over for dinner, could each person bring a dish to share or even contribute to the cost of dinner? 

Lamb is often the go-to roast for Easter Sunday, but a large juicy chicken will cost much less. Don’t forget that supermarkets generally reduce the price of vegetables to Christmas prices of 15 to 19p just before Easter as well.

Boundless members can make extra savings off their food shopping bill by purchasing pre-paid supermarket shopping cards. 

Use coupons and discounts

If you’re going to eat out, take advantage of discounts using your tastecard, another of the benefits of Boundless membership. There are lots of two-for-one deals at delicious restaurant chains such as Prezzo, Zizzi or ASK Italian, plus many other 25% off money-saving offers at local independent restaurants.

Take part in free activities

Look for free activities and events in your community. Places like your local shopping centre, your library, your church, and shops such as Hobbycraft offer free events and activities during the holidays. What’s more, Boundless members can save 7% on Hobbycraft shopping cards. See our 5-minute guide to shopping cards for advice on how to buy and use in store. 

We had a fun and free afternoon at Hobbycraft recently learning how to make slime – just avoid the shops afterward! Check community boards, websites, and social media for information on free events in your area.

Limit gift giving

Easter’s really not about expensive gifts or even the expensive Easter eggs (although buy them early if you have to, at least a month in advance, to get the best deals). Focus on spending quality time with your family and creating memories. If you do want to give gifts, you could consider homemade options such as fudge, cookies or chutney rather than commercial Easter chocolate.

Reuse and recycle

Instead of buying new items, reuse and recycle what you already have, or take a trip to the charity shop to see what they have available. This can include decorations, clothing, and even toys. You might also consider swapping Easter decorations or clothes with friends or family – it’s not only budget-friendly but also environmentally friendly.

Set a budget

Finally, set a budget for the Easter holidays and stick to it. Keep track of your daily expenses and make adjustments as needed. Maybe set a daily amount of, say, £20 and set the cash aside in an envelope. Once it's gone, it's gone or if not spent, it rolls over. 

A budget can help you stay on track and avoid overspending. It can also help you prioritise your spending and focus on what is most important to you and your family.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a fun and memorable Easter holiday without breaking the bank. Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time with your loved ones and create lasting memories. Happy Easter! 

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. 

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to The Ramblers' extensive walking community, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue. 

All photos: Getty Images