by Rick Bavera

Created on: December 28, 2009   Last Updated: January 30, 2010

Indoor Easter Tree: An easy do it yourself guide.

Easter trees are a relatively recent way of adding "spice" to Easter celebrations, at least when compared to Christmas tree use in the USA.

An Easter tree is something that can be filled with meaning. The Christian celebration of Easter celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ-symbolization of redemption, forgiveness and eternal life. The decorations (and the tree itself) should remind us of that part of the Easter story.

Your first step is to decide what you will use for a "tree." There are several things that can be used and be seen as ideal, depending on personal taste and the space available. The tree itself should be bare, or nearly so, symbolizing the sacrifice made on Good Friday. Among your options are a variety of metal and plastic trees from both on-line and brick-and-mortar retailers. Several inexpensive examples can be found at Target.com by typing "Easter tree" into the search tab.

Another option for your tree is to go out into your yard, or take a walk in the woods, remembering to take along a hand saw. Look at the bare tree branches around you. Look at the shapes and sizes of branches, always considering the space you want to fill. Once you have decided on your branch, cut it off the tree, and take it inside. You will need a container for your tree. Coffee cans or planters make ideal containers. Fill the container with soil or sand around the branch, so that it will stand up. If you think you will use your Easter tree in future years, you can fill the container with plaster of Paris-a permanent way of keeping the tree in the container.

If you have decided on a branch in your own container, you can decorate the container, too. You can use tempera or other art paints, or also construction or other art papers to cover the container with a pastel color. Then use some of the symbols we see at Easter for accents on the container. Eggs, chicks, rabbits, lilies, crosses. Be creative, but keep it fairly simple, so you do not attract too much attention away from your tree.

Decorations for the tree can be as simple or as involved as you wish. The most traditional of the decorations for your tree will be eggs. Several creative options can be used here.

You can purchase inexpensive plastic eggs from the local Target, Walmart, Dollar Tree or other stores. The best option for plastic eggs to hang are ones that can be opened. All you now need is some thread or string. Open your egg. If there is a

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