Easter is just around the corner – meaning it’s time for colourful Easter eggs, picnic baskets, Easter bunnies and chicks! If you’re looking for ways to make Easter more eco-friendly, we’ve got some great tips for you. But when it comes to decorating, why not get the whole family involved?
The first rule of celebrating sustainably is to look at what you already own. If you have plastic eggs and decorations stashed away from previous Easters, kudos – now’s the time to take them out, give them a good cleaning and re-use them.
If you didn’t manage to keep your old decorations, fret not. We’ve some easy DIY decoration ideas that you can do with the kids:
See also: 8 Ways To Make Easter More Eco-friendly
1. Wooden Easter Eggs
Of course, there’s no better way to celebrate Easter than the time-honoured tradition of painting hardboiled eggs, but they can be wasteful as most are thrown away at the end of the day.
Instead of using real or plastic eggs, consider investing on wooden ones. They might be a bit more expensive, but they’ll last you a long time. And if you use water-based paints, they can quickly wash off for next year’s celebration.
Here are some ideas for painting wooden eggs.
2. Eggshell Planters
If you’re using eggs to bake or to prepare that Easter dish, take extra care not to crush their shells. You can use them as decorations on your table or around the house. Wash and dry them carefully, put some soil in it and add a flower or herb, then prop it on an egg cup holder. You can even give them away to your guests as a small token!
Watch this to see how easy it is to make an eggshell planter.
3. Eggshell Candleholders
You can also use those eggshells as candle holders to keep with the Easter theme. All you need to do is melt some candles or beeswax on a pan, then pour the melted wax – don’t forget to include a wick – into an empty eggshell, then let it cool off. Et voila! You now have a unique centrepiece that literally brightens up the table.
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on making eggshell candles.
See also: Candle With Care: Is Your Candle Toxic?
4. Easter Mason Jars
Speaking of centrepieces, if you’re looking for something a bit quirkier or that will win the affection of kids, bring out your mason jars, or any jar you have lying around, really! Wash it clean, take off any labels and start painting them as little animals.
Of course, the Easter Bunny is a favourite, but you can add more colour to your table by painting different critters like a chick, a cow or dog. You can then use them as flowerpots or fill them up with candy afterwards!
Here’s how to make these critter jars.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Easter Bunnies
An Easter Bunny made with a toilet paper roll? It doesn’t get any greener than that! This classic craft project is something that we grew up with so this will be a cinch. Just in case you need a refresher, collect unused toilet paper rolls, cut two strips for its ears, and go to town decorating it. Use coloured paper, markers, buttons, and anything you can find at home.
Refresh your memory on how to make this classic craft project.
6. Umbrella Wreath with Bouquet
Nothing says spring more than flowers in bloom! Amaze your guests with your eco-friendly skills and a flair for design by starting with your door. Make an eye-catching wreath by using an umbrella – whether broken or in good condition. Use a hook to hang it by your door and fill it with a bouquet.
Get the instructions to make this wreath here.
7. Easter Egg Potato Stamps
To create Easter egg potato stamps, simply cut a potato in half, dry it, and carve out your designs. It doesn’t have to be elaborate – zig zag lines or curved lines are okay – because you’ll make it up with the colours. Once the carved potato is dry, press it on your desired paint – use a brush if you’re dealing with multiple colours – and start stamping.
Here’s some more detailed instructions.
8. Easter Bunny Door Hanger
To set the stage for a cheery Easter celebration, deck your door with a delightful Easter bunny cut out from any scraps of cloth and two embroidery hoops.
It’s a simple project that even small children can work on, which will give materials that were otherwise just lying around your house a second life.
Here is a step-by-step guide to follow. Happy Easter, and have fun!
See also: 8 Ways to Make Easter More Eco-friendly
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