Why You’ll Love This Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
These Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments are simple and fun. You can make them with items you already have in the kitchen. Kids and adults both can enjoy shaping and decorating them. They make nice gifts and keep holiday memories. The dough is soft and easy to press into shapes. You can add prints of tiny hands or feet to save a moment in time. After baking, they harden and last for years if you store them well. If you like easy crafts and simple treats, you may also enjoy the warm spices and sweet treats found in apple cupcakes with salted caramel frosting.
introduction
This introduction will explain the basics in clear and short sentences. Salt dough ornaments use flour, salt, and water. You can color the dough or add glitter. Use cookie cutters to make stars, hearts, trees, or any shape. Press in a finger or handprint, or make a pattern with a tool. Use a straw to make a hole for a ribbon. Then bake them low and slow until they dry out. After they cool, paint or leave them plain. These ornaments add a homemade look to your tree and a warm feel to your home.
Why Make This Recipe
Make these ornaments because they cost little. You do not need fancy tools or many supplies. You can sit with family and make ornaments together. The process is calm and slow. It gives children a hands-on craft. You can keep ornaments as keepsakes or give them as gifts. They are a good activity on a cold day. They let you make personal gifts that mean more than store items. The dough also stores well if you want to use it again soon. This recipe is a good start to making holiday memories.
What You Need for Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
You need only a few things. A bowl and spoon work well to mix the dough. A flat surface and a rolling pin help roll it out. Cookie cutters make clean shapes. A straw or skewer makes a hanging hole. A baking sheet and oven dry the ornaments. For decoration, you can use paint, markers, ribbons, or glitter. If you want to make a set of keepsakes, have small brushes and sealant ready. Simple tools make this craft easy to finish in one day.
How to Make Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Follow simple steps to make the dough and shape your ornaments. The steps are easy to follow and do not need special skill. Work on a clean surface and wash hands before and after.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, Optional: food coloring or glitter
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- In a bowl, mix the flour and salt.
- Gradually add water, stirring until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough until smooth.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Create impressions for footprints, fingerprints, or handprints.
- Use a straw to make a hole for hanging.
- Place ornaments on a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours until hard.
- Once cool, decorate as desired.
These directions give a good start. Watch the dough as it bakes. Small ornaments may dry faster. Thicker pieces may take longer. If you like, turn the ornaments halfway through baking to dry them evenly. After they cool, paint with simple acrylic paint or color with markers. You can add glitter while paint is still wet or glue glitter on later.
Best Ways to Serve Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Serve these ornaments by using them on your tree or in gift wrap. Tie a ribbon through the hole and hang them on branches. You can also use them as gift tags. Write a name with a fine marker then tie to a present. Group a few on a small branch for a table display. They can hang on doorknobs or on a mantel. Place a few on a tray as a rustic seasonal display. After many years, they still look good if you seal them with a clear spray or varnish.
How to Store Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Store your ornaments in a dry place. Use a box with tissue paper between each ornament. Keep them away from damp places to avoid softening. A cardboard box or plastic container works well. If you used paint or glue, wait until all parts are dry before storing. Do not stack heavy items on top of them. Label the box so you can find the ornaments each year. Proper storage will keep your handmade pieces safe for many seasons.
Easy Tips to Make Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Work on a clean surface and dust lightly with flour to avoid sticking. Keep the dough at a firm but pliable texture. If it feels too wet, add a bit more flour. If it is too dry, add a drop of water at a time. Use cookie cutters that are sharp enough to cut edges cleanly. To add color, knead a small amount of food coloring into the dough. For shine, add a thin coat of clear varnish after painting. For tiny details, press clay shaping tools or the end of a paintbrush into the dough. After baking, sand rough edges with fine sandpaper. If you need a little strength, mix a teaspoon of white glue into the dough before rolling. For more ideas on small gifts and treats to pair with your crafting day, try making sweet bites like a cookie dough truffles recipe to enjoy while you work.
Try These Variations of Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Try adding a scent to your ornaments. Mix a drop of vanilla or cinnamon oil into the dough before shaping. Make the dough in different colors by kneading in food coloring. Press leaves, buttons, or lace into the dough to make patterns. Make a set with small photo frames by cutting a space for a small picture. For a rustic look, brush the baked ornament with diluted brown paint then wipe off for an aged effect. Add glitter to the wet paint for a festive shine. Use cookie cutters in different sizes to create a themed set, like stars in many sizes or a row of hearts.
Common Questions About Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
Q: How long do these ornaments last?
A: If kept dry and stored well, they can last for many years. Avoid damp places and heavy pressure.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a day or two. Bring it to room temperature before rolling.
Q: Is it safe for kids to knead and shape?
A: Yes, the ingredients are safe, but keep small children from tasting the dough because of the high salt content.
Q: Can I air dry instead of baking?
A: You can air dry, but it will take longer. Place the shapes in a warm, dry spot and turn them often. Baking is faster and gives a firmer result.
Q: What if an ornament cracks while baking?
A: Small cracks can be filled with a bit of glue and some paint. For larger cracks, bake longer at a low temperature to harden more.
Final Thoughts
These salt dough ornaments are low-cost, low-stress, and full of heart. You can make simple shapes or detailed keepsakes. The recipe fits many skill levels and ages. With a little time, you will have homemade decorations that hold memories. Try changing colors, adding scents, or making matching gift tags. The craft brings people together and gives you a handmade touch for the holidays.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather your flour, salt, and water. Set out cookie cutters and a straw. Make a batch on a quiet afternoon and turn it into a small family tradition. Hang the finished ornaments on your tree or give them to someone you love. These simple steps make a big memory.
Conclusion
If you want a tested guide with ideas for the best salt dough mix and extra tips, see The Best Salt Dough (for Ornaments and Crafting!) to Make with the … for more advice and ideas.
Print
Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
- Total Time: 195 minutes
- Yield: 12 ornaments 1x
- Diet: N/A
Description
Create lasting holiday memories with simple salt dough Christmas ornaments made from flour, salt, and water. Perfect for all ages, these ornaments can be shaped, baked, and decorated to add a personal touch to your festive decor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- Optional: food coloring or glitter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- In a bowl, mix the flour and salt.
- Gradually add water, stirring until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough until smooth.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Create impressions for footprints, fingerprints, or handprints.
- Use a straw to make a hole for hanging.
- Place ornaments on a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours until hard.
- Once cool, decorate as desired.
Notes
Store ornaments in a dry place. Use a box with tissue paper between each ornament for safe keeping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Craft
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ornament
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg