Those Easter bunnies, bonnets and baskets really add up. Americans are expected to spend nearly $17 billion for the holiday this year, a jump of 11 percent over last year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF). “Though the price of gas is on everyone’s mind, Easter is one of the few holidays some consumers are willing to stretch their budgets, especially because many children look forward to treats and new outfits on Easter morning,” NRF CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement announcing the survey results. Here, a look at how the big money breaks down:
$16.75 Billion
Expected 2012 Easter holiday spending, according to the retail industry group
$14.66 Billion
Estimated Easter spending in 2011
$12.73 Billion
Estimated Easter spending in 2009
$145.28
Average amount Americans aged 18 and older will spend
$131.04
Average amount Americans aged 18 and older spent in 2011
$3.01 Billion
Expected spending on clothing for Easter this year
$812 Million
Expected spending on Easter greeting cards this year
$5.11 Billion
Expected spending on food for Easter this year
$2.35 Billion
Expected spending on Easter candy this year
2nd Place
Easter’s rank among all holidays for spending on candy, according to the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Halloween, of course, remains in first place
2 Billion
Marshmallow Peeps produced annually by the Just Born ccompany of Bethlehem, Pa., according to The New York Times
800 Million
Marshmallow Peeps produced around Easter by the Just Born company
300 Million
Cadbury Creme Eggs made each year, with two-thirds sold in the U.K., according to Cadbury
16 Billion
Jelly beans made for Easter each year, according to the NCA
90 Million
Chocolate Easter bunnies made for Easter each year, according to the NCA
76
Percentage of people who say they eat the ears off chocolate bunnies first, according to the NCA
