| Easter |
Easter trees make festive spring decorations
Easter is coming and it ’ s time to put up the tree . For those thinking right now that trees are for an entirely different Christian holiday , you are both right and wrong . Even though trees may be more widely associated with Christmas , Easter trees are an increasingly popular and festive tradition that trace their roots to Germany .
The Easter tree is known as Ostereierbaum in Germany and is a centuries-old custom . Eggs are hung on outdoor tree branches and bushes or are placed on cut branches displayed inside . While the tradition is traced to Germany , German-influenced locales like Hungary , Poland , the Czech Republic , and the Pennsylvania Dutch region of the United States also are popular places for Easter trees to appear .
For 50 years , one person branched out with his own Ostereierbaum tradition . Volker Kraft decorated an apple tree on his property in the town of Saalfeld , Germany , adding more eggs each year as the tree grew larger . The tradition came to an end in 2015 . At one point the tree held 10,000 eggs , all hand-crafted by Kraft and his family . However , a tree in Rostock , Germany held the Guinness World Record for tree with the most eggs — a display of 80,000 .
... a tree in Rostock , Germany held the Guinness World Record for tree with the most eggs — a display of 80,000 .
While Easter trees are typically more modest than Kraft ’ s tree , the displays can be as large or as small as one desires . Many Easter trees consist of a few branches placed in a vase decorated with flowers , ribbons and Easter eggs . Pussy willow branches work well , though any branches can stand in . When decorating Easter trees , families can use plastic eggs or even real ones . Using a sharp knife or needle , make two small holes in a raw egg . Blow out the inside of the egg until the shell is hollow . Then decorate the egg and thread a ribbon through the holes so it can be hung on the tree . If desired , place sweet
Easter treats , such as chocolate eggs or pastel-colored cupcakes , under the Easter tree .
Decorating an outdoor tree also is possible and very visible . It can be a great way to share Easter blessings with others in the community . n
66 April | May 2022 Thomasville Scene