The Prudent Pantry: When the Easter Bunny Hops All Over the Family Budget

I have a whole post planned about splurges, and when they're actually good for your wallet, but I haven't written it yet. Instead, let's talk about holidays and the splurges that go hand-in-hand with them. I know I find my grocery bill doubling whenever there's a holiday to prepare for. I am not religious, but I love tradition and ceremony and most of all FOOD. Since most holidays have a feast of some sort attached, you can imagine how easy it is for me to get a little out of control...

My little boy is nearly four and has started asking for things he likes when we shop. Usually he asks for foods I would buy him anyway, which is not a problem for my budget. (You want fruit? No problem! Peanut butter filled pretzels? Protein!) But every once in a while, usually at Target, he will see a toy he wants. And oh, it is so hard to say no. Today I was shopping specifically for Easter basket goodies and he saw a package of monster trucks (Hot Wheels or similar) and he really wanted those trucks. I said no at first, but I reconsidered. My sister was shopping with us so she took my son over to the pharmacy area while I doubled back and grabbed the trucks. I went $15 over what I'd planned to spend but I feel okay about it because gift holidays are so infrequent. Still, I couldn't help but think of Crystal's post on kids toys and family budgets!

I also (of course) splurged a little on food. We had guests last night and I made my favorite cake, Nigella Lawson's almond cake. It's not such a huge splurge financially but it contains six whole eggs plus several egg whites so it is quite a splurge health-wise. I also had to find a meal that would suit two vegetarians, a picky eater, and two omnivores, one of whom does not eat red meat. I went with my old standby, Mediterranean: roast chicken, lemon potatoes, a Greek dish with green beans, hummus, tzatziki, and flat bread.  Our friends brought an amazing salad with tomatoes and feta.

Today we're taking it easy on food, eating leftovers and baking hot cross buns. I don't feel that I went too far overboard with treats this year (besides the trucks and some candy, my kids' baskets contain handmade items) but I'd like to do better next year.

How do you stay on budget for holidays? What's worth it to you to spend a little extra?

Annika Barranti is a writer living in Los Angeles and blogging at Through the Looking Glass. She and her husband are raising two children and trying to eat well on a tiny budget.