If you want a whimsical and eco-friendly DIY decoration for your Christmas tree, these adorable egg carton mushrooms are the perfect craft! Not only do they look charming and whimsical, but they also use inexpensive materials like egg cartons, wine corks, and acrylic paint. Mushrooms are a classic (and currently trending!) staple for Christmas decor, and these adorable egg carton mushrooms will add a rustic, woodland, and nostalgic touch to your tree.
**This post contains affiliate links, which give me a small commission on items purchased through my links, at no additional cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links more than you know, and it truly helps me continue making great content for you to enjoy! For more information, see my Privacy & Disclosure Policy!**
SHOP THIS POST
Egg Carton Mushrooms – What You’ll Need:
- Egg cartons (preferably the ones made from paper, as they are easier to cut and shape)
- Wine corks
- Acrylic paint (I chose to do a rainbow of colors, but you can also stick to traditionally earthier colors like red, brown, and green, as well!)
- Acrylic Markers – I prefer Posca Pens
- Flower clips (these will act as hangers for your mushrooms)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Utility Knife
- Paintbrushes
Egg Carton Mushrooms – How To:
Step 1: Prepare the Egg Carton
Start by removing the lid from your carton. Next, cut out the cone-shaped dividers from the middle of the carton with your utility knife. These will make your tall mushrooms, OR serve as a mushroom base (you’ll see the different configurations I used in the reveal photos). Once those are removed, use your scissors to cut apart each individual egg cup from the egg carton. The number of mushrooms you make depends on how many egg carton cups you can cut out, as well as how you configure them. I made about 50 mushrooms from 3.5 cartons.
Next, trim the top edges of the cups slightly to give them a more natural, rounded look. You can use your scissors or a craft knife to smooth the edges a bit, giving them a more mushroom-like appearance.
Step 2: Paint the Mushroom Caps
Now it’s time to paint! I painted all of my egg carton pieces white FIRST. Why, you ask. Egg cartons are made of a pulp like material that absorbs a LOT of the initial paint coat. I wanted my mushrooms to be super bright, so the white served as a base coat, allowing the colors I painted on top to really pop.
That said, it was a wholeeeee extra step that is not at all necessary. So you can choose to go this route or skip it and head straight to the colored paint – up to you!
Once my white base coat was dry, I mixed up a bunch of colors and painted all of my egg carton pieces. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Create the Mushroom Stems
To create the stems of your mushrooms, grab your wine corks. Corks are the perfect size and shape for mushroom stems. You’ll need one cork for each mushroom you plan to make.
If your corks are a little too tall for your liking, you can slice them in half using a sharp knife. Once you have your desired cork height, paint the corks however you like. You can even add a little white or darker brown paint near the base for texture and realism. I also left some of my corks bare for a different look. Let the paint dry before attaching the caps.
Step 4: Attach the Mushroom Caps to the Stems
Once both the corks and egg carton caps are dry, use a hot glue gun to attach the mushroom cap (egg carton cup) to the top of the wine cork (the stem). Hold the pieces together for a few seconds to ensure they are securely glued.
Step 5: Add Details
Next, use your Posca Pens or other acrylic paint markets to add spots on top of the mushroom caps. I even made some of my spots in the shapes of hearts for a more whimsical look. You can get as quirky as you want here, or stick to a more realistic mushroom appearance.
Step 6 (optional!): Add Moss
To make my mushrooms a little extra, I took some moss that I had from our local craft store and hot glued it up under each of the mushroom caps. Another added step that is totally optional, but I think it really elevated the look!
Step 7: Add the Clips
To attach your mushrooms on the Christmas tree, you’ll need small floral clips. Flower clips work great for this because they’re small and unobtrusive. Simply hot glue the flower clip to the bottom of the mushroom stem and let dry – easy peasy!
Step 8: Hang/Attach Your Egg Carton Mushrooms to the Tree (or Garland!)
Now that your egg carton mushrooms are complete, it’s time to hang them on your Christmas tree! The flower clips make it easy to attach the mushrooms wherever you like on the branches. Mix and match them with your other ornaments for a whimsical, nature-inspired display.
SHOP THIS POST
Tips for Success:
- Choose a sturdy egg carton: Some egg cartons can be flimsy or difficult to cut. Look for one with a thicker material to make your mushrooms more durable.
- Get creative with textures: Add extra details (like I did with the moss!) such as twine, mini pinecones, or even glitter to make your mushrooms unique to you and your decor!
These homemade egg carton mushrooms are a fantastic and affordable way to add a touch of whimsy to your Christmas tree. Not only do they bring a rustic, forest-inspired feel, but they’re also a great project to do with friends and family during the holiday season. With just a few simple materials like egg cartons, wine corks, and acrylic paint, you can create charming little mushrooms that will be a conversation starter for years to come!
Ready to make your own egg carton mushrooms? Grab your supplies, start crafting, and let your tree shine with nature-inspired beauty this holiday season!
XO, Ana
Leave a Comment