Does celebrating Easter mean going church on Easter Sunday, hunting Easter eggs with your kids, or attending a large family gathering – or all three?
Church attendance
About 62 to 64 percent of Americans say they’ll be attending church on Sunday, according to the Gallup Web site. That’s 191 to 197 million people.
Easter church goers can be compared with typical attendance patterns in which about four out of 10 Americans tell Gallup interviewers that they either attended church within the last seven days, or that they attend at least once a week or almost every week.
Holiday spending
Holiday celebrants will spend slightly more this year with the average person expected to shell out $118.60, up from $116.59 last year, reports the National Retail Federation. Total spending is expected to reach $13.03 billion.
While spending on most items will remain the same as last year, children can expect more jellybeans, flavored marshmallows, and gifts in their Easter baskets this year, according to the federation.The average person will spend $17.29 on candy, compared to $16.55 last year, and $18.16 on gifts, up from $17.30 last Easter. Other holiday purchases include clothing ($19.03), food ($37.45), flowers ($7.84), decorations ($6.34), and greeting cards ($6.30).
On baby boomer Easter purchases, 45-54 year olds will spend $117.54, while 55-64 year olds will spend $106.82.
Easter dinner
Different regions and countries have Easter dinner ideas of their own – they celebrate the holiday in their own special way, reports Devine Dinner Party.com.
For exaample, in Italy there’s a great bread baking tradition. In Russia, the meal often features smoked fish. In Spain, they build elaborate sculptures from chocolate. In the American South, they serve up cornbread salad on Easter.
Other American favorites include serving ham or a leg of lamb, accompanied by a potato dish and green beans, asparagus, peas, or carrots. For dessert, carrot cake or coconut cake are common, but other favorites are cobblers, lemon cakes, cupcakes, and Easter bunny cakes.
Additional Easter information
“Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Easter” – Time.com
“Everything You Need to Know About Easter” – Gather.com
“Did You Know? Facts and Figures About the Holiday of Easter” – Holidays.net
Happy Easter in advance!