Folker Kraft was just a child when he saw his first tree decorated with colored eggs. When he started his own family, he decided to resurrect the tradition of “decorating trees” for Easter in his own garden. In 1965 he and his wife Krista decorated the first tree in their garden with 18 plastic colored eggs.

This is how, in the German town of Zalfeld, the Kraft family started their tradition which has now lasted for 50 years.

Although the Christmas inspired tradition of “decorating the Easter tree” is know in other places around Germany as well, the Krafts became famous in 2010 when they decorated one of their trees with 9500 Easter eggs. A year later the number climbed to an incredible 9800 painted eggs.

I wonder what this Easter brought?

With the passing of years the tree grew and with it the need for more and more eggs and with that the expenses. So the entire family pitched in. All year round, the family collects egg shells. Using a simple technique of making holes on the top and bottom of the eggs and sucking the contents out through straws, they are able to collect enough eggs to make them sort of an attraction. They then paint the eggs using various techniques, making sure each is unique.

They managed to, in their own colorful and merry way, turn their own yard into a tourist attraction, known even beyond Germanys borders.

If you find yourself passing through their town around Easter, don’t forget to pay them a visit and peek into their yard.