Make Your Home Feel Like Spring by Decorating an Easter Tree

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Easter is quickly approaching, which means it's almost time for treat-stuffed Easter baskets, church services, and delectable Easter brunches and dinners. You may be looking forward to all the typical traditions that come along with the spring holiday, but what if we told you there was another Easter egg tradition that you could try in 2024 (and no, it's not an Easter egg hunt)? Presenting: Easter egg trees!

If the first thing that comes to mind is a Christmas tree covered in Easter eggs rather than ornaments, you're a little far off; so let us elaborate on the tradition.

For centuries, these enchanting and charming Easter egg-adorned shrubs have been a beloved tradition in Germany and Sweden. In the past few years, their popularity has grown here in the United States, particularly in areas with high concentrations of German immigrants, like the Pennsylvania Dutch region.

So now that you know where the tradition started, you're probably wondering when and how it was revived. The custom of showcasing these "Ostereierbaum," or Easter egg trees, gained prominence once again in 1965. At this time, Christa and Volker Kraft, a German couple, initiated the tradition by adorning their backyard tree with 18 hand-dyed and hand-painted Easter egg "ornaments," as reported by NBC News. Over the years, their collection expanded exponentially, reaching an impressive 10,000 unique eggs by 2015. It was a meticulous process, taking the couple a full two weeks to hang all the eggs.

But you don't need two weeks or thousands of eggs to get started. You can create one of these topiaries at home in as little as one afternoon.

"Easter egg trees make a big impact on a mantel or table without a lot of effort," says Haeley Giambalvo, the founder of DIY blog Design Improvised, who posted about her own Easter tree a few years back. "And they're such a great way to add a festive Easter touch to your home without having to do a bunch of decorating."

Not sure where to begin? The answer is in your own backyard. To craft your own Easter egg shrub, start by gathering some branches from your yard. (If you're feeling creative, Haeley suggests spray-painting them in vibrant colors.) Then, prepare a vase filled with floral foam, adding some rocks for stability if needed. Place the branches in the vase and invite your family to join in the decorating fun!

"What really makes this a fun project is that the whole family can contribute with their own decorated eggs," Haeley adds. "You could even make it a tradition and have each family member add a new egg each year."

Though blown eggs are typically used, anything goes—provided that it's hollow or at least lightweight enough to keep from excessively weighing down the branches. You could even opt for felt "eggs" (a great option for the younger ones), egg-shaped ornaments, store-bought plastic eggs, or watercolor paper eggs.

To attach your eggs to the tree, just thread a thin piece of ribbon or twine through the holes at the end of each blown egg (or create a hole at the top of any crafty creations!), then tie the loose ends to the branch above.

Now, there's only one thing left to do: Display your DIY Easter decoration proudly!

Pre-Lit White Birch Tree with Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs Tabletop Tree

Lit Birch Tree with Easter Ornaments

Lighted Tabletop 23" Bunny Tree

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