• 2019: 350 orders
• 2020: 80 orders
• 2021: 130 orders

The country could be splitting hairs on whether India’s economic recovery will be Y-shaped, K-shaped or any other alphabet, Ann Caroline Etto is not sure whether she will again sell as many Easter eggs and baskets as she had in 2019.

This year, she is satisfied because in 2020 the order was “almost nothing”.

Easter festivities are approaching but they are muted as the fear of rising Covid-19 cases looms again, social gatherings have become smaller and many do not have enough resources like before.

The orders have diminished because people are “cutting costs” and prioritising other expenses, said Caroline Etto, 54.

“It is the beginning of an academic session and parents are telling their children that instead of buying Easter eggs one could do with a small chocolate and buy a pencil box or exercise books or set of colours that they need more,” said Caroline Etto, who has been making Easter goodies from her Picnic Garden residence for 10 years.

From those who make goodies at home to the bigger confectioners, many said they have deliberately not hiked prices despite “a steep increase” in cost of raw materials to keep it “affordable”. “The cost of production has gone up because the prices of raw chocolate and LPG cylinders have gone up. But if I increased the price people would not buy,” said a small home confectioner, who operates from Moulali.

Devotees offer prayers on Good Friday.

At least three of them said the price of Easter eggs and hampers have been retained at what it was in 2019.

Celebrations this year are expected to be mostly limited to going to the church for service and family dinners instead of social gatherings or going out.

Loss of jobs, reduced income and the fear of another surge in Covid cases are making many spend much less than what they would usually do.

For Dorothy Kolentine, the cost cutting has affected “buying expensive clothes and dining out”.

“Everything is so expensive. But our income is not like before. So, one has to maintain a budget,” said Kolentine.

At some homes, the budget for buying of Easter eggs and sending gifts to extended families have also been reduced.

“For the Good Friday service, we had not expected so many people. We have a hall where the service was being screened. People have lost jobs or their income has been hit, so spending during festival has reduced this year. It is more about visiting the church for service,” said Father Basil Mandi, parish priest of Church of Christ the King, Park Circus.

The arrangements in the church this year were also much simpler.

“People used to donate for festivals that has gone down this year,” Father Mandi said.

Terence Ireland, the principal of St James’ School, said “People are uncertain of their future”.

“Those who are salaried are trying to keep a reserve because with a surge in infection and illness, the expenses would only mount,” he said.

A confectioner in the city said it was “still a long way” before the pre-pandemic days are attained.

“People are coming to the stores to buy but the bulk orders from offices have disappeared completely,” the confectioner said.