KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) --- Not even the Easter bunny can out run the current recession. Easter's just one week away, and Knoxville shoppers say they're filling more barren baskets this year.

Susan Pippim hunts for deals so her kids can hunt for Easter eggs.

"I've got four kids I'm trying to put together Easter baskets for, and I'm just trying to make my dollar go the farthest," Pippim said as she flipped through advertisements.

That means slightly more barren baskets this year. Pippim usually spends more than $100 dollars in the Easter aisle.

"You want to get the chocolate bunnies, the jelly beans. I try to get the candies my kids enjoy," Pippim said.

But she says she's cutting back by half.

"The economy being what it is, and the fact that my husband was laid off three times last year. Money is tight. He just left for Iraq and we're just trying to be careful and make money go as far as we can," Pippim said.

She's not the only Knoxville shopper on a tight chocolate bunny budget.

"I'm watching my expenses more than in the past," shopper Meg Meyers said.

The National Retail Federation expects Easter spending to drop about 14 percent from last year.

According to it's recent survey, Americans will spend an average of $116.59 on Easter candy, gifts, food and decorations. That's down from an average of $135.03 last year, and brings Easter spending to the lowest level since 2005.

"I think that in some ways it's good because too much emphasis is put on the candy and not the real reason for Easter," Meyers said.

Stores had an extra three weeks to bust out Easter bargains and "eggxcellent" prices this year.

But Meg Meyers isn't buying any toys, just candy this year. She has a $10 basket price limit.

"I am more conscience of what I'm buying this year. I don't want to go overboard," Meyers said.

And Pippim says Easter's about spending time with your "peeps." No, not the marshmallows.

"It's about family. It's about being together. That's what all holidays should be about," Pippim said.

The National Retail Federation estimates total Easter spending to reach $12.73 billion.