Every year during the Easter season, my mother would place a few budding branches in a vase and hang colorfully painted eggs from them. This was an Osterbaum, an Easter Tree. Some call it an Osterstrauss or Easter Bouquet since it’s in a vase. But what is an Osterbaum? Osterbaum, in German, means Easter Tree. This pretty decoration brightens the home in the springtime.
What is an Osterbaum
Some people take it literally and decorate tiny trees, but often the pretty little “trees” are made from cut twigs and short branches of pussy willow or forsythia plants. People cut branches or twigs from pussy willows or other flowering bushes and place them in a vase. Then, hollowed-out eggs, hand-painted wooden eggs, ribbons, and little wreaths or nests decorate the Osterbaum or Osterstrauss (Easter Bouquet). Easter Trees can be a family project, with new ornaments added yearly. They make a lovely centerpiece for the Easter Table or a beautiful decoration for your sideboard. Over the season, the buds would sometimes even bloom. So pretty! While these Easter Trees are common in Germany, I’m delighted to see them catching on here in the US.
The Easter trees aren’t just inside!
In Germany, people also decorate live trees or bushes in their yards with colored eggs tied on ribbons. Unlike Christmas trees, these living trees don’t require a stand or lights. Because it can still be grey and cold in the spring, these colored eggs add a festive atmosphere to neighborhoods and towns. The eggs can be plastic, wooden, or hollowed decorated eggs.
The most famous Osterbaum is in Saarberg. For years, Volker Kraft in Saalfeld, Germany, has been adding more and more eggs that his family decorated to a tree in his yard. The final count was 10,000 eggs!
Easter Sunday is on April 20, 2025
You can easily create your own Osterbaum (Easter Tree).
Of course, you can buy ready-made Easter Egg Trees, but many people prefer to make their own.
Make you Own Osterbaum
Supplies:
-Branches with buds or tiny flowers (Pussy Willows or Forsythia is nice)
-Hollowed out Eggs (the video below explains how to empty them out… SAVE THE INSIDES FOR BAKING OR SCRAMBLED EGGS!) or try these-> White Plastic Eggs for Decorating (48 eggs for $12.99 is a great deal!!)
-Ribbon or String to tie the eggs to the tree
-Paint, markers, sequins or decoration for the eggs
Handmade Spring-Easter Country Colorful Pastel Berries And Eggs Tree
Paint or decorate the Eggs however you like… then send the ribbon through the holes, and tie it to your branches. There are a million videos or tutorials for decorating eggs… choose your favorite method.
OR use an actual mini Tree like these below.
How to Blow Eggs for Your Osterbaum
Easter Tree Video
Make Your Own Osterbaum Ornaments
You can blow out eggs… or find artificial eggs ready for decorating online. Just paint or glue on beads and ribbon, to make your own special Osterbaum Ornaments.!
Merry Art Dyeable Decorating Easter Eggs, 24-Pack
Find German Easter Ornaments Here-
You can decorate your Easter Tree with real eggs that you’ve made, or you can order some beautiful ornaments that were made in Germany. Wood, glass, felt, beaded, new or vintage… you can find just the right ornaments to compliment your style! Including some awesome new ornaments from the Käthe Wohlfahrt Store!
Osterei Lamm besticktKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreOsterei gelb mit Herz-LochmusterKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
Easter egg lily of the valleyKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreEaster egg meadow greenKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreEaster egg ladybugKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreEaster egg two bunnies sitting in the grassKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreEaster egg blue with flowersKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreYellow/green Easter egg with chick and flowersKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
SmoothNovelty 24 Pcs Felt Easter Eggs Decor Colorful Felt Eggs Mini Pastel Easter Eggs Bulk Easter Decor Ornaments for Tree Hanging Egg Hunt Basket Stuffers Spring Party Decoration Art Craft, 6 Styles12pcs Vintage Style Paper Mache Foam Egg Hanging Ornaments Easter DecorationSmall hand Painted Wooden Colorful Ukrainian Easter Eggs 4-4,5 cm х 5 pcs, Very Well Handmade Petrykivka painting Folk Art Pysanky handmade Set of Hanging Mini Eggs
Glass Easter Ornaments
These highly collectible, delicate and beautiful glass Easter Ornaments add shine to your Osterbaum.
Save 10% on your purchase from European Deli. Use Coupon Code GGIA10
Inge Glass “Spring Flower” in Olive MatteEuropean Deli Coupon Code GGIA10Inge Glass “Spring Flower” PorcelainEuropean Deli Coupon Code GGIA10Inge Glass “Delicacy” in White MatteEuropean Deli Coupon Code GGIA10Inge Glass “Eggshells” with Purple Silk FlowersEuropean Deli Coupon Code GGIA10
White SheepKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreGockel mit ClipKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
Kurt Adler Glass Decorative Egg Ornament, 45mm, Set of 9BestPysanky Mother and Baby Rabbit Blown Glass Christmas Ornament
Kurt Adler Glass Decorative Egg Ornament, 45mm, Set of 9
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Egg Decorating Tutorials
Styrofoam Bead Eggs
Glitter Eggs
WOW, those are some awesome Easter decorations. When my grandson was little, we always hid Easter eggs on our land. He is now 24 years old and is no longer interested looking for Easter eggs. I never decorated my house with Easter items, only colored eggs and an Easter basket filled with candy and chocolates. Since my husband died, I have no longer interest in most holidays. Reluctently I will celebrate Christmas with my children and my grandson. Nothing is the same anymore with him gone. We used to have the 4th of July party up here on our land. We had a big swimming pool with a very large deck around it. Most of our customers from our business showed up. I had cooked for 3 days. My husband always took care of the swimming pool. He would not let me do it. After he got very sick, all that came to a stop. We always have pretty strong winds up here. The destroyed our swimming pool. 2 years after he had died, I had the pool taken down. I couldn’t take care of it. I was busy taken care of my husband. When a crew came up here to take the pool down, I watched them and cried, My husband always was very proud of that pool. We always had at least 25 people up here for the 4th of July party.. That pool brought many memories back to a happy time. My happy time is all gone now. He is dead for over 13 years and I still mourn his death. Wished I could turn time back when I was so happy with him. People here decorate the cemetery with Easter eggs. I’m not familiar with that and won’t do it. You all have a pleasant day. Gigi.
I hope you have a lovely Easter… do something special for yourself.
Loved this post! I never knew what an Osterbaum was, but now I’m inspired to create my own Easter tree with fun ornaments. Thanks for sharing your creativity and inspiring me to get crafty, looking forward to trying out some of these ideas