Spring is fast approaching and, although most of us are really looking forward to warmer weather and blossoming trees, there is something we anticipate even more: Easter! There are many reasons to love this joyous holiday – yummy food, egg hunts, gift baskets and – above all – spending quality time with our loved ones. This is exactly why we decided to devote today’s article on one of our favorite traditions – dying Easter eggs. Not only is it a fun activity that all the family can enjoy, but it helps to bring us all together and gives us an opportunity to display our creativity and artistic skills.
Have you ever wondered about the origins of the tradition of dying easter eggs? There are many different versions of the story. According to some, people used to color eggs long before the onset of Christianity. The word Easter itself stems from Ēostre – the name of a Germanic goddess, associated with spring and fertility. She was often depicted with birds, rabbits and eggs, which symbolized rebirth and the renewal of life after winter. It is believed that after Christianity became a widespread religion, some pagan rituals, such as the dying of easter eggs, were incorporated into the new doctrine. Other sources claim that the tradition of coloring eggs began with Christianity. There are several legends according to which eggs carried by the Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene changed their color to red either during Jesus’ crucifixion or after his resurrection. Yet another legend tells of a 13th century monarch, King Edward I of England, who allegedly gifted 450 painted eggs decorated with gold leaf to his royal court for Easter, thus starting the egg dying tradition.
We may never find out for sure which of the three versions is true but whatever the reason – we really glad that this fun and unique tradition came to be! And, since we want to share our love for Easter with you, we have selected the 150 very best and most original ideas for egg dying, coloring and decorating, including tips and tutorials. We hope they will make your holiday even more special and unique!
Our suggestions are divided into four groups. The first includes original and very creative ideas, for people who like crafting and trying new things. The second section features inspiration for those who like to paint, while the third is devoted to traditional methods of coloring eggs,using wax, natural dyes and more. The final group features various designs created with mixed media, which we found particularly interesting and inspirational.
Cool and easy ideas you can try:
How cute are these unicorn eggs? Learn how to make them in the tutorial below!
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
Easy, right? Try it yourself!
Everything you need to make your own unicorn-themed Easter eggs:
Sticking the horn can be tricky – be careful not to use too much glue!
Once done, your Easter eggs should look like this:
Our next tutorial is just as sweet and even easier to make! Your family and friends will love these cute pineapple eggs:
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
If you don’t have any food colorant on hand, you can paint the eggs using acrylic paint and a brush
Make sure to use clear glue which leaves no trace once it’s dry!
Fresh, creative, cute…and made only in 5 easy steps!
How about making some tiny egg hamburgers?
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
The necessary materials:
A step by step photo guide to make things easier:
Here is another fun, easy and adorable idea: swan and flamingo easter eggs!
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
This project is easy as pie, and just as sweet!
Speaking of sweet… aren’t these ice-cream cone eggs just delectable? This is one of our cutest and easiest ideas for dying easter eggs:
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
They look good enough to eat and are very easy to make, with just a couple of household ingredients!
Glitter is always a popular choice, especially when it comes to dying Easter eggs! Here is an easy tutorial that we really love:
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
Dying easter eggs with glitter is fun and easy! All you need is some washi tape…
…and plenty of glitter!
Once the eggs have dried you can remove the washi tape
Use moss and feathers for a refreshing, nature-inspired look!
What you’ll need:
Instructions:
You can use a different decoration for each egg – crochet lace, burlap ribbon or anything else that will add a nice rustic touch.
The materials we used:
Moss is moldable and very easy to use!
Beautiful and refreshing, these eggs can make a great table decoration or Easter gift!
Decoupage is another great way of decorating Easter eggs!
You may remember that we covered the basics of decoupage in one of our recent articles. The process here is very similar but we decided to substitute decoupage glue with well-mixed egg whites. This will insure that your eggs remain edible, even after being decorated!
What you will need:
Instructions:
Delicate and beautiful, these decoupage eggs are pleasing to the eye and safe to eat!
Be careful not to tear the napkin when removing the top layer
Gently smooth with the brush
Cut off the extra bits, and smooth over with more egg whites, if necessary
Here are some more easy and incredibly creative ideas for Dying easter eggs:
Rose gold, pink and white – always a good combination!
Eggs decorated with gold leaf are a very popular and stylish option.
We love these cute and clever ideas!
Using multicolored thread is easy, fun, and give great results!
You can use glitter…
…and even fabrics!
How cute are these easter egg cacti?
Easter is not easter without bunnies!
Hologram eggs – edgy style with a futuristic twist!
Cotton candy eggs!
Easter eggs, decorated with paper cutouts in folk-inspired patterns
And here are our suggestions for those of you who like to paint!
Pastel colored diva eggs – an original and funny idea!
And how about those nostalgic and kitsch 80s inspired patterns?
Did you know you can use henna for dying Easter eggs?
If you are a fan of astronomy, why not dye some Easter eggs in blue and use gold and silver pens to draw constellations on them?
It’s easy, mess-free and beautiful!
How lush are these watermelon eggs?
Dying Easter eggs in every color of the rainbow:
Now it’s time for our more traditional suggestions for dying Easter eggs!
Did you know you could use onion peels for coloring eggs?
Tea is also a great natural colorant!
Dyes can also be made from coffee, blueberries and spices, such as ground turmeric.
Boil blueberries, add vinegar, filter the mixture and put it in a jar.
Your own home-made blue egg dye is ready!
Boiled ground turmeric creates a beautiful yellow…