Easter is much more than an occasion to break out your Sunday best or hop into a bunny costume. It is a day of great religious significance for the roughly  percent of Americans who classify themselves as Christians, marking the resurrection of Jesus. And it actually takes place twice most years because of differences in the Western and Orthodox calendars.

Easter also is a big donation day for U.S. churches, thanks to the year’s highest attendance rates. It’s a significant revenue-driver for companies in the candy business. And it’s a source of divisiveness for those who feel strongly about the best way to eat a chocolate bunny or the best filling for a chocolate egg.

To help explain all aspects of Easter, WalletHub analyzed everything from how flush the Easter Bunny is feeling this year to how much candy and rabbit meat we eat.

Easter, by the numbers:

‘• $18.2 billion – Total Easter-related spending expected in 2018

• $150 – Average Easter spending among people celebrating
• $3.2 billion will be spent on clothing
• $5.7 billion will be spent on food
• $2.6 billion will be spent on candy
• $2.9 billion will be spent on gifts.

 

Easter candy

• 77 percent of parents will buy or make Easter baskets for their kids.
• 90 percent of Easter baskets will include chocolate or candy.
• 90 million chocolate bunnies are made worldwide each year for Easter.
• 81 percent of parents steal candy from their kids’ stash.
• 1.5 billion marshmallow peeps are consumed at Easter. There are 43 flavors.
• Most popular Easter basket items:

–Chocolate bunnies – 89 percent

— Candy with fruits and nuts – 46 percent

–Snacks such as granola bars or dried fruit – 44 percent

–Gum and mints – 35 percent.

 

Easter traditions

• 57.9 percent – plan to cook an Easter meal.
• 60.1 Percent plan to visit family and friends on Easter Sunday.
• 180 million eggs are purchased for Eater, at an average price of $1.80.
• 49 percent will decorate Easter eggs
• 10 million egg dyeing kits are sold each year.

 

Christianity in America

• Easter is the most popular church day, followed by Christmas, Mother’s Day and homecoming.
• 71 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christian.
• 50.5 percent plan to attend church Easter Sunday.
• 81 percent of Americans plan to celebrate Easter.