Easter Guide 2013: How to Dye Easter Eggs

Ah, tis the season for that sour smell of vinegar to fill the air as eggs everywhere get dyed in little colored cups. 

But what are the best practices? 

According to all-things-homemaker Martha Stewart, start with either boiled eggs or use an ear syringe to blow out the contents of a fresh egg. See the how-to here. 

Before you color them, here are tips to boil the perfect eggs.

Find specials on eggs and other groceries on Columbia Patch.

After that's done, head over to Real Simple to see how to dye eggs a solid color properly. The first step is to protect the counter with paper towels to prevent staining.

Then, using containers big enough to submerge an egg, dip the eggs into the solution you've prepared. 

• Natural dyed Eggs
• Kool-Aid Eggs
• Marbled Eggs
• Speckled Eggs
• Drip Eggs
• Rubber Band Eggs
• Colorful Chinese Tea Eggs
• Stenciled Eggs
• Tie Dye Eggs
• Sticker-Stenciled Eggs
• Leaf Print Eggs
• Nail-Polish Marble Eggs
• Shaving-Cream Marble Eggs
• Watercolor Eggs
• Scratch Away Eggs
• Muffin-Tin Dyeing
• Silk Tie Dyed Eggs

If you want to go the natural route, see this list of foods that can be used for dyeing naturally. Head to the Whole Foods on Devine for these ingredients and check out their blog post for information on how to mix food and vinegar to create a dye:

• Raw Beets
• Blueberries
• Ground Tumeric (yellow)
• Onions
• Paprika (orange)
• Wine or grape juice
• Dill Seeds

If you're trying to avoid the mess of dyeing, check out these suggestions for other ways to decorate eggs. 

• Sharpie Eggs
• Crayon-Shaving Eggs
• Tissue Paper Eggs
• Funny Face Eggs
• Leaves and Tea Eggs
• Napkin Decoupage Eggs
• Electrical Tape
• Silhouette Eggs
• Gold Leaf
• Stamped Eggs
• Thumbprint Eggs
• Chalkboard Eggs
• Colored Tin Foil
• Button Eggs
• Rhinestone Eggs
• Sequin Eggs
• Washi Tape Eggs
• Ribbon-Wrapped Eggs
• Flower-Pressed Eggs
• String Eggs