While I agree that Easter eggs are a ridiculously expensive way to buy chocolate (and I applaud your idea of substituting more affordable sweets) I do note that Easter eggs are still (relatively) far cheaper than they used to be. Back in the 1980s it might have cost me £3 to buy a fairly basic Easter egg for someone but they're still that price now, 30 years later!
BTW, I hope that your brood are all back to full health, Sherrardk, especially No.1 boy. (I was plagued with ear problems as a child and I know how painful and debilitating they can be).