The Easter Bunny is going to need a bigger basket.
Americans are expected to spend a whopping $22 billion on Easter this year — with $3.1 billion of the annual haul going towards candy.
While 63% of us are said to celebrate, according to WalletHub, retailers around the country still expect to clean up during the springtime religious holiday, which falls on Sunday, Mar. 31 in 2024.
The cost breaks down to about $177 per observant American, according to the financial advice website.
The number news comes as retail chocolate prices were said to have risen 11.6% in the United States, according to data published by CNN — that’s due to spikes in the cost of cocoa after West Africa, home to 70% of global production, struggled with crop disease and climate issues.
In the United States, 91 million chocolate rabbits are sold, while 16 billion jelly beans are consumed during the holiday time.
The world’s most expensive chocolate Easter bunny is valued at $49,000. The company Very First To were the creators of the priceless rabbit, which went on sale in 2016.
The sweet and extravagant figure measured at just 1-foot 3-inch and was incredibly crafted with intricate details and realistic fur lines.
Seventy-five percent Tanzania-origin chocolate was used and its diamond “eyes” were estimated to cost $35,400.
More affordable are the infamous marshmallow Peeps, manufactured by a small Pennsylvania company.
A staple for every Easter, the sweet bunny-shaped squishy confection comes in eighteen flavors, including Cotton Candy, Sour Watermelon, Fruit Punch and Dr. Pepper.
Over 1.5 billion Peeps are eaten every year around the holiday.
And while $3.1 billion might seem like a lot to spend on candy, it’s still less than the $3.4 billion parents are expected to spend on gifts and other treats.
WalletHub also projects that $3.5 billion will be spent on Easter finery, as Americans snap up new outfits to wear to church, family functions and public celebrations like New York City’s Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival.
Pastels, florals, white, and other bright colors are often popular choices, according to Business Insider.
Brunches and dinners are a big part of the annual spend — tables across the country are expected to groan with ham, lamb, potatoes and vegetables, at a cost of $7.3 billion. Add to that another $45 million just for eggs, mostly to be used as decorations.
Meanwhile, the famed White House Easter Egg Roll is said to cost the better part of $1 million to host each year.
The event costs $750,000 to organize and over 30,000 people attend annually.
WalletHub reported that more than 80,000 souvenir wooden eggs are made for the legendary Easter bash as the presidential home.
The party was first held in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. Guests take to the White House’s South Lawn to roll the handcrafted eggs with a spoon to collect special prizes.
