Last year Easter was a little more low-key than most of us are used to – thanks COVID-19! The good news is that this year with many restrictions lifted we’re able to celebrate with a wider circle of friends and family. If you’re entertaining this Easter, we’ve got a lovely idea for you to try that will create beautiful leafy imprinted eggs. These look great on your Easter table, and they are a fun activity to do with the kids.

What you’ll need

• Eggs – as many as you would like to decorate
• Natural food dye – see our article here for instructions
• Cups or glasses for dyes
• Old pantyhose, cut into smaller tube shapes
• Thread/cotton
• Leaves
• 2 – 3 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Add cold water and eggs to a large saucepan. Bring the water to the boil over a medium heat. Cook eggs for 7-8 minutes.
2. Add each coloured dye to a separate cup.
3. Pour oil onto a shallow plate (a bread and butter plate is ideal).
4. Press each leaf into the oil and then stick them onto the hard-boiled eggs while the eggs are still hot.
5. Put eggs inside pantyhose and use the thread to tie off the ends as closely to the egg as you can (this is important to ensure that your leaf stays firmly on the egg).
6. Place each egg into a cup of dye and leave to sit for at least 1 hour.
7. Remove eggs from the dye and place on paper towel to dry.
8. When they are completely dry, remove the pantyhose and the leaf.
9. If you would like your eggs to have a shine you can gently rub them with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil.