Two special days in one takes away some fun says Sarah Cowen-Strong

And those Easter Egg hunts. Just imagine. Little ones gleefully hunting out treasures from the flower bed and finding lemons and onions wrapped in foil where caramel surprises really should be.

But against the thrill of Easter Sunday traditions making easy pickings for a spot of tomfoolery, I think it’s a pity the two celebratory days will coincide this year. Instead of one devoted to faith, family, Creme eggs and catkins and another to pranks, japes and jollity, they will have to share the stage together. Always one for a party I am disappointed, but have the slight feeling I am in the minority.

Just as the age-old Pinch Punch First of the Month greeting is going out of fashion so too is the desire to be a little bit silly. It’s such a shame. Even if a little absurdity fails to make anyone else laugh, there’s nothing wrong with making yourself snort.

Search for the ridiculous and everything seems a bit better, but many people are too serious, fearing a smile or a cheery comment will render them unprofessional. It’s not as if I’m suggesting anyone throw water in the boss’s face or sit on a trifle – just lighten up a bit.

It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to enjoy a little April Foolery. You wake up on April 1 and exclaim loudly about the foot of snow, collapsed ceiling, measle rash or stray cat in the sink and just enjoy a moment of nonsense. Master that then practise being a giddy goat on a regular basis.

One day you could be as proficient as my other half who, when he was a headteacher, sadly announced in assembly that the school goldfish had been removed from its tank and left gasping outside his office. Luckily, he said, the culprit had left a footprint, so asked everyone to leave their left shoes behind so an inquiry could be conducted. The children obliged – as did the other teachers. Later, at a special assembly which couldn’t come soon enough for the frozen-toed pupils, Ian gave back the shoes and said he now had the name of the villain on a whiteboard. He turned it round to reveal, of course, the words April Fool.

Put your back into it even more and take inspiration from my friend Nicola. She took it upon herself to sew up the fly in her husband’s underpants. He didn’t find out until a very awkward moment at the work urinal later that day. There are larks out there to be had – just kick back and find them.