I know that I can’t be the only one who, like Christmas, uses the Easter bank holiday as an excuse to legitimately eat chocolate for breakfast without so much as a raised eyebrow from my loved ones.

Similarly, I know that I’m not the only one who is doing so without actually embracing any of the religious aspects of Easter, and this can sometimes be a conflicting position to be in.

This month, the National Trust has come under fire for allegedly removing the word “Easter” from its annual egg hunt. Some people felt that it was wrong to take the religious element out of the event, while others view it as a traditionally religious celebration which has now crossed over into the secular mainstream for us all to celebrate. As far as I’m concerned, anything that involves hot cross buns and mini-eggs should be fully embraced.

The multitude of faiths that now exist within our society, coupled with the fact that increasing numbers of people don't identify with a religion at all, have caused traditions of particular holidays to gradually become more separated from their religious roots.

Theresa May calls 'Easter' egg hunt decision ridiculous

Escalating consumerism, for better or worse, is also distancing us from the origins of what were once purely celebrations of faith. As far as the high street is concerned, religion isn’t relevant to the marketing of Easter, as proven by Tesco in their controversial Good Friday adverts last week.

It’s understandable, then, that some of the religious significance of the holiday itself is lost on us. I even saw some Easter-themed Christmas crackers this week which I’m pretty sure were not part of the table decorations at the Last Supper.

Easter is a special time for those who believe in its religious significance, but for those of us who don’t celebrate the religious aspect, two days of national holiday are a great opportunity to create our own secular traditions.

2016 Easter celebrations around the world Show all 20 1 /20 2016 Easter celebrations around the world 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Willy Salvador, 59, hangs from a cross as part of his penitence during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines articipants lie on the ground after whipping their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during a ceremony reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines articipants whip their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Hungary Dancers of 'Matyo Folklor Art Association' in traditional clothes, react as boys throw water in Mezokovesd, some 130 km east of Budapest. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines A resident carries a statue of Jesus Christ to the church in preparation for the Good Friday procession during Holy Week celebration in Gasan, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Ruben Enaje, who is portraying Jesus Christ for the 30th time, screams while a resident acting as a Roman soldier pulls up a nail on his palm Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitent Ruben Enaje, who is portraying Jesus Christ for the 30th time, is carried on a stretcher by rescuers after he was nailed on a wooden cross during a Good Friday crucifixion reenactment in Cutud town, Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Mexico A man holding a rabbit looks at men dressed as ancient Romans as they take part in a procession, during Holy Week celebrations, in Taxco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world South Africa Nuns carry a cross during a silent march celebrating Good Friday in Durban. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Mexico Masked penitents prepare before the start of a procession, a part of Holy Week celebrations, in Taxco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitents locally called "Morions" wear masks and centurion garbs as they take part in a Good Friday procession as part of Holy Week celebration in Gasan, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world El Salvador Members of the El Jesus Nazareno brotherhood participate in the Los Cristos Procession as part of Holy Week celebrations in the town of Izalco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Paraguay Actors take part in a re-enactment during a Holy Week procession to prepare for Good Friday celebration in Luque city. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Paraguay Actors take part in a re-enactment during a Holy Week procession to prepare for Good Friday celebration in Luque city. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Peru Local and foreign inmates participate in a performance of the play Jesus Christ Superstar to celebrate Holy Week at Sarita Colonia prison in Callao. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitents wearing masks, known locally as "Morions" take a selfie during the start of Holy Week celebrations in Mogpog, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Hungary Hungary Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Resident portraying Roman soldier pulls up a nail on a foot of penitent Ruben Enaje in Pampanga, Philippines. Reuters

Just as Christmas, Halloween, and even weddings are no longer necessarily being associated with the institutions from which they originated, the religious themes of Easter can and should be brought into the lives of non-Christian people in new ways. We can embrace the values of Easter without sharing in that religious significance.

To me, Easter marks the time of year to start on the spring cleaning, prepare for the summer, recharge, and to share love (and chocolate) with our family and friends. This is absolutely something to be celebrated, religious or not.