Egg-spensive Easter: Sky-high egg prices spark crafty alternatives

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Easter weekend approaches, a growing social media trend has people across the country -- including in Richmond -- preparing for the holiday in a more creative, cost-savvy way.

The shift comes as egg prices remain elevated. Economists say it's a trend fueled largely by ongoing supply issues.

“We're still dealing with the fallout from avian flu is the main reason,” said Stephen Day, an economics professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). “Egg prices have been declining throughout the part of the last year -- and then they've shot up again.”

Day said that Easter only adds pressure to the market. With seasonal demand climbing, many shoppers are finding eggs even less affordable.

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In response, social media has hatched a new trend: swapping eggs for cheaper, more accessible items that can still hold dye and bring color to Easter celebrations. On platforms like TikTok, users are showing off vibrantly painted potatoes, marshmallows and other creative alternatives.

"We are putting a few tablets of color into these cups in order to get some dye going for our marshmallows and our potatoes,” said Painting with a Twist owner Shauna Hansen, preparing for the new craft.

8News visits Painting with a Twist in Richmond to decorate potatoes and marshmallows for Easter -- a crafty alternative to expensive eggs. (Photo: Jakobi Davis/8News)

8News visits Painting with a Twist in Richmond to decorate potatoes and marshmallows for Easter -- a crafty alternative to expensive eggs. (Photo: Jakobi Davis/8News)

8News visits Painting with a Twist in Richmond to decorate potatoes and marshmallows for Easter -- a crafty alternative to expensive eggs. (Photo: Jakobi Davis/8News)

8News visits Painting with a Twist in Richmond to decorate potatoes and marshmallows for Easter -- a crafty alternative to expensive eggs. (Photo: Jakobi Davis/8News)

With a simple egg-dyeing kit or even a few drops of food coloring, the budget-friendly materials proved surprisingly effective.

“The cracks in the potato are making it soak in," Hansen said. "Make a basket full of these -- that would be adorable!”

As a mother of three, Hansen said the trend has her full support — not just for the savings, but for the experience.

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“The eggs — I mean, at least when we [dyed them] — we just dropped them in, took them out, and put them away,” she said. “So this is a little more interactive and more artistic, and you can kind of add your own little flair to it.”

For those looking to save money this Easter while still embracing the festive spirit, these creative substitutes might just be the answer. Here is a website with step-by-step instructions.