5 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas from Around the World

It’s that time of year again. Chicks are hatching, bunnies hopping, and lovely tulips abound. And while you have the brunch menu planned and your guests invited, you’ve yet to decorate the eggs.

Perhaps you’re tired of the same old dye job, or of the kiddie’s painted fingertips adding unwanted art to your tables and walls. Maybe it’s the tantrums that ensue when your little one’s egg doesn’t come out as expected. Or you’re just looking for something new.

This year, get inspired by global Easter egg decorating traditions from around the world and wow your guests. Your centerpieces will look magnificent. You’ll have a natural conversation starters for new invitees. And your children will love the results! No mess . . . beautiful décor . . . and a little cultural craft . . . what’s not to love?

Bundled up Easter Eggs from Japan

What you’ll need:

• 1 dozen blown out eggs – or more! This craft is just too cute!
• Washi origami paper, go for the flower patterns for a nice spring effect
• Scissors
• Small paintbrush
• Decoupage glue

Looking for something that’s no mess, no dye, no paint? Japanese washi eggs are just your thing. Plus, they’re simply elegant and sweet!

Measure out your sheets: Place your egg on the non-printed side of the paper and roll the sheet around the egg, making sure it covers its widest part fully as well as its length. Cut out a rectangle from the sheet large enough to cover the egg plus an extra ¼ inch on its length.

Getting the paper ready: Fold your rectangle in half lengthwise. Cut from the edge to the midline every ¼ inch to make a fringe of narrow strips running along either side. Then trim each of those strips to a point and unfold your paper.

Wrapping it up: Brush a circle of glue around the belly of your egg. Place the egg in the center of the non-printed side of your washi rectangle and roll it around your egg. Brush the underside of one strip with glue, pull it over the end on your egg, and press gently. Repeat until you have both ends of your egg full covered. Seal your eggs with a layer of glue brushed on top. Perfect little bundles of joy!

Get the Natural Look from Russia

What you’ll need:

• 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs (mix brown and white ones for nuances in shading)
• 1 quart water
• 4 tablespoons white vinegar plus a little extra on the side
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Skins from about a dozen onions. (Red ones work best but feel free to experiment.) If you’re having trouble gathering enough, simply call your grocer and ask them to save a bunch.
• Olive oil
• Small pretty leaves and flowers (cilantro, parsley, clover, and phlox work nicely)
• Pantyhose

Russians have a long-standing tradition of dyeing Easter eggs using onion skins. Here, we’ll take the natural look one step further with beautiful leaf and flower prints for a blossoming spring effect.

Make the bath: Place your onion skin in a large soup pot, cover them with water, and boil. Add in salt and vinegar, and lower to a simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

Ready the eggs: Meanwhile clean your eggs by rubbing them with a little vinegar. Gently press on your leaves or flowers to the surface of the egg and slip them into the foot of your pantyhose; tie a tight knot.

Strain and soak: Strain your onion skin bath into a glass bowl and let cool. Gently add in the eggs and make sure they’re covered fully. Add more water if necessary. Let them soak for at least 1 hour – or for a rich, deep mahogany color, bathe them overnight.

Remove and polish: Remove the eggs from their bath and dry. Use a few drops of olive oil and a paper towel to polish them up. Simply stunning!

Love the natural look? Look in your pantry and fridge for more Easter egg decorating fun. Try out the same method with other ingredients. Make blue eggs with one chopped head of red cabbage instead of onion skins. Go pink with a chopped up beet. Two cups of raw spinach will get you a nice sea foam green. And don’t forget the spices! Try it out with 2 tablespoons of turmeric or sumac or saffron. Even coffee grounds will work!

Confetti Eggs from Mexico

What you’ll need:

• 1 dozen raw eggs, but of course more is better!
• Confetti – paper, metallic, or glitter will do
• Tissue paper
• Egg dyeing kit (optional)
• Glue

Super fun and easy to make, this Easter tradition from Mexico will be a hit with the kids! Cascarones, or confetti-filled eggs, are mini promises of joy. Traditionally, they’re cracked over someone’s head, showering kids and adults alike with confetti. But whether you decide to follow the tradition, or simply throw them around, these tiny bursts of Easter fireworks will be a blast!

Empty them out: Since you’re going to need a large enough hole to get your confetti in, don’t worry about following the more perfectionist blow-out method. Simply make a hole on one end, shake out its contents, and rinse with water.

Dye and dry: Follow the instructions on your dyeing kit and color your eggs inside and out. Make sure they’re fully dry before continuing.

Fill and close: Stuff your eggs with confetti – you can color match them to the exterior, keep it a surprise, or go for full-out rainbow hues. Once they’re stuffed, simply cut out a square from your tissue paper that’s large enough to cover the hole and glue. They’re ready to go!

Chinese Tea Eggs, Decorative Edibles

What you’ll need:

• 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs
• ¾ cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 12 cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 strip tangerine peel
• 2 tablespoons lapsang souchon tea

Ok, so this isn’t traditionally meant for Easter. It’s used at the lunar New Year instead. But a celebration is a celebration, right? And it’s not really a craft. But if it looks good enough to eat, it’s a feast for the eyes as well. Besides they’re so delicious, you can offer them up as a post egg-hunt snack.

Crack it up: Before you do anything else, you’re going to want to crack into the eggshell to get that beautiful marbleized look. Use the back of a teaspoon to gently crack the shell all over. The more cracking, the more intricate your gorgeous designs will be. Don’t peel off any bits of shell but do make sure it’s cracked all over.

Boil and simmer: Place your eggs in a small pot and add in all of your ingredients. Bring the whole shebang to a boil and lower it to simmer for roughly 30 minutes. Cover it with a lid and let it steep overnight. Your eggs will be beautiful as well as scrumptious!

A German Easter Tree

What you’ll need:

• Eggs! As many as you could possibly gather . . . brown are best for warm, natural hues. And with this quantity, you’ll soon be a pro at blowing them out!
• Easter egg dyeing tablets (stick with natural hues, no neons here)
• Ribbon or other decorative elements
• Fishing line
• Scissors
• Bowls
• White vinegar (for the dye tablets if necessary)

For an elegant look that’s all about all about gorgeous design and pragmatism, create your very own Ostereierbaum or German Easter tree. Bold colors and elegant patterns make for a modern classic look. Or keep it simple with just a bow. Hang your eggs in a tree centrally located for your garden party, or on a nice branch of spring blossoms as a centerpiece. This German tradition will soon be a new Easter favorite!

Prepare your dyes: Follow the instructions on your dye packets and dedicate one bowl to each color. Your container should be deep and narrow enough for you to be able to completely submerge your eggs.

Get them colored: Clean each egg with a paper towel and some vinegar. It will help the dyes stick better, making for richer colors. Place one egg in your dye at a time and make sure to move it around every 30 seconds for an even coat. For new hues, feel free to re-dye an egg and mix your colors. Simply run them under cold water before putting them in the next dye bowl to prevent the dyes from changing permanently.

Decorate: After you’ve dyed all your eggs and they’ve fully dried, it’s time to decorate. You can use a simple ribbon across the center of your egg or go all out.

Display them with pride: Once all your eggs are dyed and decorated, pull through your fishing line with a loop on top and a knot on the bottom. Get them to shine by rubbing on a bit of olive oil with a paper towel. And hang them on your Easter tree or branch.

TIPS: Preparing your Eggs

• Before you start decorating, make note of whether you’re going to need to empty your eggs or use them whole. To empty them, carefully poke a small hole on each end of the egg with a strong push pin, starting with the pointier side of the egg first.
• Use the tip of a utility knife to make your holes bigger. Insert a long needle or a toothpick inside the hole to puncture the yolk and scramble up all the gooey stuff.
• Blow out the contents with an egg blower, an ear bulb syringe, or a small thin straw. Wash the egg, and repeat until all the contents are out. Dry your eggs by hand or in the microwave for 15-13 seconds at about 300 degrees. You are all set!

TIPS: Making a Drying Rack

• Before actually dyeing your eggs, make a dry rack. All you need to do is place a pin about every inch in both a vertical and horizontal lines across a 12 x 12 inch Styrofoam board. Once done, you should have a grid of pins to hold up your just-dyed eggs.
• You can also use your oven/toaster oven rack over a wooden cutting board. Be sure to place paper towels between the rack and the board to keep your wood dye free.

Do you have any Easter egg decorating tips from around the world? Share your ideas with us!