Easter is a religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But many traditions linked to this holiday have been made into commercial selling points. What was once about rebirth and renewal has become just another ploy to get you to spend money.

Companies want to sell trendy holiday décor that you likely won’t be interested in by the time you can even use it again. Such as plastic easter eggs with individually wrapped candies, and the synthetic grass used to stuff easter baskets full of monotonous trinkets.

In stores It’s hard to miss the constant cycling of overpriced holiday themed candies and cheap knick-knacks. All sold at a premium price up until the minute the holiday is over, when everything in the section is discounted and they promptly move onto the next holiday.

The numbers speak for themselves. According to Northwestern University, Easter consumerism has become a major economic driver. U.S. spending is projected to reach a record $24.9 billion in 2026, averaging roughly $195 per person. Shoppers heavily invest in candy (92 percent), food (89 percent), gifts, and decorations, with over half purchasing items from discount stores.

“While economic uncertainty remains on the minds of many, consumers are still focused on holiday celebrations like Easter,” National Retail Foundation Chief Economist Mark Mathews said in a published report. “Holidays provide an important opportunity for families to reconnect and create lasting memories, even as economic conditions fluctuate.”

Traditions that truly characterize Easter are activities such as dyeing eggs, and easter egg hunts, the baptism of babies and best of all being surrounded by family.

Like Christmas, Easter has been turned into an event that most children think of as a day that revolves around a fictional character who hides treats around your house or yard, the “Easter bunny.” Both Santa and the Easter bunny have instilled obligations revolving around these holidays that in many cases causes parents to worry about disappointing their children.

But children don’t understand that a set for a commercial is all fake. And they don’t realize how much goes into the never-ending cycle of keeping up with the expectations that push us to keep over consuming.