Holiday Crafts, Easter

The Easter Egg is a common symbol seen throughout the world as one celebrates the annual spring holiday, Easter. Egg decorating has evolved over the years in different countries, and is as varied as the cultures across the world.

Here is a look at some of the different decorating styles of these Easter gifts:

Russia - Perhaps the most famous decorated eggs of all are known as Faberge Eggs. They are named after the company that created them, and are exquisitely detailed jewelry designed in the shape of eggs. Faberge eggs, which are made from gold and precious stones, were originally created for the Russian Imperial Court.

Poland - The Polish pisankas are created by first dipping an egg in wax, and then carving it. The egg is typically dyed once the carving is finished. The Poles typically exchange the pisanka eggs as gifts between family members on Easter Saturday.

Ukraine - A process similar to Polish pisankas is used to make Ukrainian Easter eggs, known as pysanky. The most common design themes are geometric shapes like squares or diamonds. These eggs are also given as gifts, and it is common for the colors and designs to be tailored to the intended recipient. Receiving a pysanky as an Easter gift is a great honor in the Ukrainian culture, and the egg is often prominently displayed as art in the recipient's home.

Greece - The Greeks commonly dye their eggs solid red. The red color is symbolic of the redeeming blood of Jesus, resurrected on Easter Sunday. One can easily make their own red eggs by boiling eggs in a solution of water, vinegar and red dye or red food coloring.

To be continued in the next module

Germany and Austria - The Germans have two Easter egg traditions which help reflect their diverse history. In parts of Germany and Austria, green eggs are used, but they are exchanged on Maundy Thursday. Others parts of Germany decorate hollow eggs.

British Isles - The British decorate Easter eggs in many different colors and styles. What sets their tradition apart from others, however, is the Easter egg roll. The Easter egg roll is a contest is to see who can roll their egg down a hill and across the finish line without breaking their egg!

United States - Here, many traditions from cultures around the world are celebrated. This reflects the mixed heritage of U.S. citizens. The most famous Easter egg tradition in the United States is the White House Egg Roll that takes place in Washington D.C.. The tradition was originally started by First Lady Dolly Madison in the early 1800s, and has evolved since then. Every year, on Easter Monday, children participate in this symbolic contest on the lawn of the White House, which is overseen by the First Lady.

About the Author:
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You'll need:

* several sheets of assorted colors of tissue paper
* 1 1/2 cups of liquid laundry starch
* Wax paper
* one dozen blown out eggs (depending on how many you want)
* Glossy spray hardener

Instructions:
1. Pour the starch into a bowl.
2. Spread about a foot by foot square of waxpaper onto a table.
3. Tear the tissue paper into 1/2 an inch strips and the tear the strips into squares.
4. Dip the squares of tissue paper into the starch and place them onto the egg, making sure you cover the egg completely, don't leave any white showing. The best way to do this is to do half the egg first, and let it dry, and then do the other half.
5. When it's dry, put a coat of the glossy hardener on it.

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You'll Need:

* A Dozen Hard Boiled Eggs
* A Box of Food Coloring
* White Vinegar
* Vegetable Oil

Instructions:
In a cup that can't be stained, mix a tablespoon of food coloring with a tablespoon of the white vinegar. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1/2 cup of cold water. Add more water and food coloring if needed. You'll need to completely cover the egg with the colored water when you place it in the cup. Repeat the steps above using different colors. There are instructions on the box of food coloring that will tell you how to mix colors. For example, you can mix green and blue to get torquoise, and mix green and yellow to make lime.

Gently lower a dried hard boiled egg into a cup using a spoon until the egg is completely covered. Remove the egg immediately and pat dry with a paper towel.