Creative Mom Cafe

Have you ever made an Easter egg tree? This fun yet easy to make decoration is one that most young children love making, and most moms love displaying. One of the best parts is that you can easily change out the Easter eggs for other things and let this tree sit out all year long. It also makes a great gift idea for grandparents to show off their favorite little one’s talents.

You will need:

• A small pot, any style that you want
• paints, glue, other things for decorating your pot
• Plaster of Paris
• A small twig, one that has lots of little branches coming off to make a good tree

It is easiest to decorate your pot first. If you are making this an Easter egg tree only you might want to paint on rabbit faces or small Easter eggs. Or just let your kids go wild with their designs. If you plan to use this tree all year long you could separate it into four sections and paint a different seasonal theme in each.

Once your pot is decorated and dry it is time to plant your little tree. Fill the decorated pot with the prepared plaster of Paris. Be sure to use the instructions that are included with the plaster. You will need to stick your tree in the center of the pot and keep it held up straight while the plaster dries. Some people wait until the plaster is already beginning to harden before sticking in their tree. This will work, but only if you can get the timing right. Too late and your tree will not go in. One of the easiest things I have seen some use is four flat pieces of wood, such as popcycle sticks, surrounding the twig on all sides to hold it into place. As long as you have not filled the pot with plaster all the way to the top this will work to keep your twig in place.

While the plaster dries you can start making your decorations. Using plastic easter eggs is the simplest thing to do. You can use a sharp needle to thread string through one end of the egg. The decorate the eggs and hang them by the string. You can also look for small Easter figurines, often found at dollar stores and craft shops, that can be hung up as well. Or let your kids create their own decorations out of paper, wood, clay, or salt dough.

Once the plaster is dried hang up the ornaments and set your tree out on display.