Proven ways to Instantly save on Easter this year

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Are you hosting Easter this year? Or are you looking for a few ideas on how to cheaply put together a few Easter Baskets? Between the new Easter outfits, inside and outside home decorations, dying eggs, Easter baskets, etc. this can be a sneakily expensive holiday that wrecks your April budget.  Don’t let it cost more than you planned!

Check out below a few easy ways to save money on Easter this year. Everything from Easter baskets and fillers to holiday décor and the meal itself.

Save money on Easter baskets & fillers

Discover some easy ways to save on all the Easter goodies you want to fill those Easter Baskets!

1. Save on Easter at the Dollar Tree

There is probably no easier place to save on Easter baskets and fillers for the kids than the Dollar Store. You can cheaply score many different types of colorful baskets in all different shapes and sizes. Once you’ve chosen the basket, the options to fill the basket are pretty much endless.

Dollar Tree is filled with sweet treats including Easter-themed chocolates and gummies. If you’re trying to steer clear of sugar, Dollar Tree offers many other cheap basket fillers such as sidewalk chalk, coloring books, and crayons, etc. This time of year is easy to find outdoor-type toys in addition to traditional Easter basket fillers. ro example jump ropes, small balls, pool or beach inflatables, etc.

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Essentials

Pro tip: Forego the traditional Easter basket altogether and use a sand pail as the basket. It serves the purpose of the Easter basket but is also a toy the child can play with. You really can’t go wrong by starting at the Dollar Store first.

2. Find Easter essentials at Michaels

Michael is another hot spot for Easter essentials. The store offers many options to fill Easter Baskets to the brim including small toys and games, books, a huge assortment of Crayola items, etc. You name it, and Michaels is sure to have something you can add to your child’s Easter Basket.

What I love about Michaels is they also have a lot of cute, prepackaged crafts. Cheap arts and crafts projects that kids of all ages can easily put together with all supplies included. So if you’re hosting Easter this year and looking for a small activity for the kids to do together, it’s a cheap way to entertain them for a while.

Pro tip: use Michaels.com to purchase items online and pick them up in-store. If you visit Michaels.com, many times their site offers unique coupons just for those shopping online – including orders you pick up in-store.

You can save even more money by doing this! For example, they recently had a $20 off a $50 promo code for online purchases (shipped to your home for a fee or in-store pick up for free). So on top of any sale prices already online, you could get additional money off an online order.

Save money on Easter decor and baskets at Michaels

Michaels regularly offers coupons off almost anything in the store. 40% off or 50% off a regular priced item is pretty standard. The problem is that so much of the store is already on sale at any given time, that sometimes it’s hard to find a regular retail price to use those coupons on.

One of my favorite ways to save at Michaels is stacking a sale price with a limited –time coupon of 25% off. I received a printed postcard in the mail offering 25% off purchases (including sale prices) the week before Easter. So I’m headed there to find not only Easter basket fillers, but also décor.

Michael’s also has coupons available in their app, so definitely download it if you plan to shop there.

Related: Save a ton every time you shop at Michaels!

3. Target has cute Easter essentials

Check out Target’s one spot for cheap Easter Basket Fillers. Pair the One Spot with Target’s Red Card to save an additional 5%. Also don’t forget to check Cartwheel for any seasonal deals on food, décor or basket fillers.

Easter essentials I saw included baskets, small toys, crafts, window clings, small pads of paper, eggs, etc. It’s a great place to diversify what you’re putting in your child’s basket for cheap!

Save money on Easter baskets and fillers by shopping at Target

4. Try Kohl’s for decor or outfits

Kohl’s is one of my favorite places to shop, especially around the holidays (any holiday). I’ll usually start here to shop for seasonal clothing, like a new dress for my daughter. Or I’ll browse décor items like hand towels, throw pillows, etc. This would also be an excellent place to consider looking for a hostess gift.

My mom is big into that gesture and I’m trying to be better about it. Grabbing a small token of appreciation for whoever is hosting Easter this year would be a really thoughtful gesture. I have a lot of other great tips for how to save at Kohls here. 

Save on Easter Decor at Kohl’s

Pro Kohl’s Tip: if you find something you like online at Kohls.com but aren’t willing to pay the shipping, purchase the item in-store. Find one of the in-store kiosks that allow you to actually purchase items in the store. You get free shipping when purchasing in-store at one of the kiosks (but the item is actually shipped to your home), thus eliminating the shipping charge. It’s a great way to save $8.95 and still get the item you want!

5. Give JoAnn Fabric a try for Easter goodies

JoAnn is so much more than a craft store. They have a huge selection of seasonal merchandise that is typically always on sale. And don’t forget about post-season sales too. Deals get crazy good as soon as the holiday is over, so check back again!

How cute are is that light-up carrot string in the middle picture below? It’s listed for $19.99 retail and being offered right now for 60% off or $7.99. In addition to that, the store was offering an additional 20% off for a limited time, including sale prices. That brings the carrot lights to only $6.39!

Pro Tip: If you’re just starting to collect holiday decor, don’t feel like you have to invest a ton of money right away. Each year add a piece to your holiday collection (post-holiday when things are on the biggest discount). Over a few years, you’ll be surprised by how quickly your holiday decor grows.

Save on Easter decorations and baskets at Joann

6. Easter surprises at HomeGoods/TJ Maxx

Aren’t the HomeGoods/TJ Maxx stores just the best for a completely random assortment of value-priced items? The HomeGoods I went to had a HUGE selection of Easter goodies!

How cute is that small bunny plate in the middle photo below? It would make a great hostess gift for only $3.99! Put an appetizer or dessert on it, and take it to Easter with you. Leave it as a gift for the host or hostess.

The store I visited had a lot of decor and serve ware items.  For example, mugs, cute little china sets, etc. Plus a lot of stuffed animals and baskets. If you’re looking for something unique, this would be the store to go to!

Save on Easter at Homegoods

7. Check out Oriental Trading for bulk items

I don’t purchase from Oriental Trading often, but man do they have a HUGE selection of seasonal merchandise at rock bottom prices. If you’re not familiar, definitely check them out. Not only for Easter but for any season, holiday, birthday, etc. They offer a crazy assortment of holiday items, generally in bulk. So 12, 24+ quantity of whatever it is.

Oriental trading is great for:

• Items in bulk to fill eggs
• Purchasing for a group of kids you’re hosting at Easter
• Religious gifts to give to kids at church

If you’ve never checked them out before, visit their site. You’ll be surprised at how many cheap items you can find in bulk.

Save money on the Easter meal

If you’re hosting Easter, you know it can be expensive to have a large group of people over! You’re already saving money by eating in, instead of going to a restaurant. But check out additional ways to save even more on holiday groceries.

1. Make a menu based off what’s on sale

Throw out your notions of what you think you have to serve for Easter and buy what’s on sale. People will eat whatever you’re serving. Check out the weekly sales flyer of the grocery store you typically buy from and plan your meal around what is on sale.

Or, if you can plan your meal in advance, you can start stocking up on non-perishables in advance of the holiday. Don’t wait to purchase drink mixers or canned goods if they are on sale now. Pick them up and save a few bucks if you know you’re going to need them soon and they’re on sale now.

2. Use grocery couponing apps to save more

Ibotta

Before you start grocery shopping, download the Ibotta app and clip relevant coupons to your account. If you were planning to purchase any of these items anyway, the extra savings is icing on the cake. Check out my Ibotta Review to learn more.

Fetch Rewards

This grocery savings app is truly a no-brainer. Unlike Ibotta, there is no offer clipping involved. Literally, all you need to do is to shop, scan your receipt, and earn points. The points you can cash in for gift cards. It’s by far one of the easiest grocery saving apps around and can only help save money on your grocery purchases.

To get started, visit the Fetch Website. Sign up and enter my referral code M2CNU and you’ll get 2,000 Fetch Points ($2.00 in points) when you complete one receipt.

3. Ask others to bring something.

Don’t turn down an offer. If someone asks if they can bring something, say yes. Find something, anything, that they can bring. Maybe it’s an appetizer or something to snack on as you’re waiting for all of your guests to arrive. Maybe it’s a bottle of wine or a side dish. Don’t think you have to do everything on your own. If someone is asking what they can bring, find something!

Other Ways to Save Money on Easter

Below, find more tips to make the most of any Easter Essentials.

Buy Discounted Gift Cards for any store using GiftCardGranny.com

GiftCardGranny.com is a gift card reseller. You can score discounted new gift cards or in-store credit for 10-20% off or even more! Check out my review here. Before you place your next purchase, just take a peek at what cards are offered on GiftCardGranny. You can likely save money!

If you know you want to shop at any of the stores mentioned above, scope out some deals on GiftCardGranny.com. You’ll have to decide if you want a physical card for shopping in the store or want a digital one for shopping online.

Shop post-holiday sales for next year

You know this holiday is annual, so while things are on sale after the holiday, stock up for the next year.  I stocked up on a few books, some sidewalk chalk, other small toys after Easter last year, so my daughter’s Easter basket this year is pretty much locked down with little effort.

Don’t go crazy and spend just to spend. But if you can score a deal on things you know you will actually use, need and enjoy, then pick up after Easter and enjoy the savings!

Visit Consignment Shops for Easter clothing

Especially for holiday items, check out Goodwill or a consignment shop near you for great deals on gently worn holiday attire. Those super cute frilly dresses you see the girls wear on Easter may have only been worn once or twice. Let someone else pay the retail price and score their gently used clothing for a fraction of the price.

Conclusion

When you start to add it up, Easter can be one of those sneaky expensive holidays. Save money on Easter essentials by shopping in advance, taking advantage of deals at specific stores, and shopping sale prices at the grocery store.

Every little bit of saving money does add up! If you’re looking for a way to invest that money you were able to keep in your pocket instead of spend, check out my Stockpile or Acorns review.

How are you celebrating Easter this year?

Steph

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