Making Salt Dough Ornaments // Sustainable Holiday Decor
Crafting salt dough ornaments is not only a delightful and creative way to bring the holiday spirit into your home, but it also aligns perfectly with sustainable practices and minimalism. By using simple ingredients like flour, salt, and water, you can easily create beautiful ornaments that are eco-friendly and budget-friendly. The process not only encourages us to be resourceful and reduce waste, but it also allows us to embrace a minimalist mindset by focusing on the beauty of simplicity. By crafting salt dough ornaments, we can celebrate the holiday season in a sustainable and meaningful way, while also adding a personal touch to our decorations.
Materials:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters
Baking sheet
Silicone baking mat
Acrylic Paint or Markers
Paintbrushes
Ribbon or Twine
Step 1: Preheat and combine
1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add water while stirring until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it’s too dry, add a little more water.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it’s smooth and easy to work with.
4. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
Related: Making Holiday Paper Chains
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes from the dough. You can use holiday-themed cookie cutters for festive shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes and more. If you are making prints, simply press in a hand or foot and use a spreading knife to remove the dough around the pressing. I like to leave 1/4 inch space around the print.
tip: you can use the gingerbread cutouts for both gingerbread and reindeer, simply flip the cookie cutter upside down!
Related: Making Paper Bag Snowflakes
6. Carefully transfer the cutouts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
7. Using a straw or toothpick, create a small hole at the top of each ornament for handing purposes.
8. Bake the ornaments in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until they are completely hardened. keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t brown.
9. Once the ornaments are cool, you can paint them with acrylic paints or decorate them with markers. Let the paint dry completely before moving onto the next step.
10. Thread a piece of ribbon or twine through the hole at the hop of each ornament and tie is securely to create a hanging loop.
11. Allow the ornaments to fully dry and then display them on your Christmas tree, wreath, garland, around your home, or give them as heartfelt, homemade gifts to your loved ones (we like to use personalized ones as gift tags).
You can store any leftover dough in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
Making salt dough ornaments is a delightful activity that brings out the inner artist in both children and adults. The process of combining simple ingredients and shaping them into unique designs evokes a sense of nostalgia, especially for children. Memories flood back of sitting at the kitchen table, little hands covered in flour and laughter filling the air. The anticipation of hanging these ornaments on the tree, year after year, creates a lasting tradition that children will cherish as they grow older. And as time passes, these salt dough ornaments become more than just decorations; they become cherished keepsakes that hold the magic of childhood, evoking a sense of warmth and love for years to come.