Easter is a celebration that entails several dimensions and traditions. For those who observe this holiday, customs include religious rituals, family gatherings and special feastings that bring loved ones together. For some, the anticipation of dyeing Easter eggs is also part of the excitement, particularly for those who have young children. Over generations, there have been several strategies and techniques that have been passed down claiming to be the best way to create these festive decorations. Even the process of readying the eggs has become debatable on whether pricking a whole at each end and blowing out the yolk or otherwise keeping the contents and simply boiling them before crafting. What to color the eggs with is also a complicated choice because of the extensive products that you can purchase in stores or otherwise making your own dye concoction using kitchen ready ingredients. Easter egg dyeing is serious business and one can feel overwhelmed when deciding just how to go about it. After careful research, I’ve found some effective and efficient ways to color your eggs that will leave even the Easter Bunny speechless!
photo credit: Emily Kate Roemer via MarthaStewart.com
Although millions of eggs are dyed each year in totality with food coloring, there’s nothing that says you can’t decorate using plain acrylic paints. Not only will they be bright in color but kids and adults can put their own original touch within design and shading that a store bought brand wont allow you to do. Patterns of stripes, polka dots and elaborate pictures are just a few of the possibilities when using crafting paints and will also encourage the little artist in you and your family. One tip to keep in mind, water or oil based paints will not give the desired results that you’re looking for so be sure to have the right variety.
photo credit: MarthaStewart.com
If you’re looking to make some fancy eggs, try using this recipe to create marble eggs quickly and inexpensively. Take 3 to 4 mugs and add 7 droplets of food coloring. Add to each container 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Fill the rest with water until it is about ¾ full of liquid. With a spoon, stir the contents to make a spinning whirlpool. Carefully place the egg on the utensil and gently lower into the moving vessel. Count to 10 and then remove to allow drying. For this method, a hard-boiled egg works best because the lightness of an egg that has been hollowed out may crack up against the mug during the dyeing process.
Photo Credit; Emily Kate Roemer via MarthaStewart.com
This idea is my favorite so far… Visit your local hardware store and buy a small canister of chalkboard paint. Paint the eggs (again, this works best with hard-boiled eggs) and set aside on a paper towel to dry, touching up spots that may smudge in the process. Find some regular chalk and let your family stencil their eggs anyway that comes to their imaginations. This is a wonderful tactic for small children because if they make a mistake and want to change it, all they have to do is erase and draw again.
Suzie Canale
Westwood, MA
Suzie will be coloring eggs this week with her two boys.