Easter. The time of year when you’d imagine dentists around the world are rubbing their hands together waiting for the onslaught of chocolate induced toothaches.

A two-week sugar-fuelled festival of all things sweet, veiled in the message of new life and hope. Just as with Christmas, the religious significance is slowly being replaced with a message of consumerism; Easter eggs and the Easter bunny becoming almost as popular as candy canes and Father Christmas. And so it was that I found myself at 8pm on a Monday after a hectic 10-hour day at work, chasing around my local supermarket with three children, whilst simultaneously trying to do a weekly shop and doing an Easter egg hunt amongst the aisles of baked beans and loo roll. I think the very helpful customer services lady could sense the desperation in me and picked up on my look which was along the lines of: ‘Just tell us where the damn things are so we can all get out of here and actually go home’.

I do actually love the Easter period. It’s a two-week break from the chaos of term time and the subtle beginnings of the sunshine on offer for the summer months. One of the best investments we ever made was a yearly subscription to the National Trust and, goodness me, we’ve given it a bashing this holiday. It’s quite amazing how a child’s enthusiasm for a 400-year-old building stuffed with relics (that would have failed to interest me at the age of 10) can be sparked by three little words: Easter egg trail. Never mind Rothschild’s wine collection or the splendour of a Turner painting; hide an few eggs around the place and the kids are all over it like a rash.

I’m not actually convinced they enjoyed the three-hour trail through Waddesdon Manor any more than the 20-minute spin around Tesco. The end result was the same; chocolate and a slightly increased risk of a filling.

I was somewhat surprised to be corrected by a five-year-old recently when I asked if they were looking forward to the chocolate-fest of Easter. I was sternly reminded that Easter is not just about chocolate and eggs but is a time for us to remember that Jesus died on the cross.

Quite right, full marks to whoever teaches that child. Perhaps they could have a go with my three boys whom I’m convinced still believe the Easter bunny was created by feeding a pet rabbit Dairy Milk.

Easter is also the unofficial end to winter. You know spring is here when everything comes into bud, the weeds in the garden explode and flood water finally dries up.

At the slightest hint of sunshine, winter clothes are casually tossed aside, sometimes rather prematurely and flaky white flesh is exposed after a season of winter dormancy.

Add in the calorific intake leap that we have come to associate with Easter and it doesn’t make for happy viewing. Perhaps a spot of DIY may help.

Apparently, Easter is the prime time for getting jobs done around the house and DIY stores go mad trying to lay claim to the lion’s share of this lucrative market.

Who are these people that spend two precious extra days off work drilling, painting or jet-washing? Yes, it’s true that we have to get someone in for any job more complicated than changing a light bulb, but bank holidays are not meant for chores. It would seem that wherever you are in the country, you’re never more that 15 minutes from an Easter egg trail. Perhaps B&Q are missing a trick, they should combine the two; send the kids off around the shop whilst you stock up on paintbrushes.

This Easter, we will be in our familiar haunt of Bigbury On Sea, a family weekend to take in the fresh Devon air. Safe to say there will not be a Karcher pressure washer in sight and we plan to spend the daylight hours outside.

We’re going to need a break from ancient architecture and Easter egg trails, so the National Trust cards will be packed away and we’re on a diet of carrots and vegetables. Well, the first bit is true but who could face an Easter without a ton of chocolate?