Salt dough ornaments are a quintessential holiday activity that blends creativity with tradition. These homemade decorations are perfect for personalizing your tree, creating heartfelt gifts, or enjoying a fun and festive craft with loved ones. Not only are they simple and inexpensive to make, but they also serve as wonderful keepsakes that can last for years with proper care.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Budget-Friendly: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is both economical and accessible.
2. Customizable: Shape, decorate, and paint these ornaments to fit any theme or style.
3. Family-Friendly: A fun and engaging activity for kids and adults alike.
4. Sentimental Keepsakes: Capture memories by adding handprints, footprints, or special designs.
5. Durable and Long-Lasting: Properly dried and sealed, these ornaments can be treasured year after year.

Ingredients for Salt Dough Ornaments and Their Role

All-Purpose Flour: the backbone of the dough, flour provides structure and elasticity.

Salt: salt not only gives the dough its name but also acts as a natural preservative, helping the ornaments last.

Warm Water: binds the flour and salt together to form a pliable dough. Using warm water makes mixing easier.

Optional Add-Ins: essential oils (a drop or two of cinnamon, peppermint, or pine oil can give your ornaments a delightful scent; food coloring (add to the dough for ornaments that don’t require painting)

Ways to Change This Recipe

1. Add Texture: Use stamps, lace, or textured objects to create intricate designs on the dough.
2. Scented Ornaments: Mix in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm holiday aroma.
3. Colorful Dough: Incorporate food coloring or natural dyes (e.g., beet juice or turmeric) for vibrant hues.
4. Glitter Finish: Roll the ornaments in fine glitter before baking for a sparkly effect.
5. Antique Finish: Use a wet (used) tea bag to dab the ornament and give it a burnt umber finish.
6. Shape Variety: Use cookie cutters, freehand designs, or molds to craft unique ornaments.
7. Natural Impressions: Press leaves, pinecones, or other natural elements into the dough for earthy, nature-inspired patterns.
8. Personalized Designs: Incorporate names, dates, or initials to commemorate special occasions.

How to Make Easy Salt Dough Ornaments

Prepare the Dough by combining the flour, salt and warm water until a dough forms.

Knead the dough until smooth and pliable.

Roll and Cut to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.

Use cookie cutters to create shapes, or shape the dough by hand. I love these patterned rolling pins!

Use a straw or skewer to poke a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.

Dry the Ornaments:

• Baking Method: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway through, until completely dry.
• Air-Drying Method: Leave the ornaments in a well-ventilated area for 1–2 days, flipping occasionally.

Decorate by painting the ornaments with paints or markers – add glitter, stickers, or other embellishments as desired.

Seal (optional) to protect and preserve the ornaments, brush them with a clear varnish or Mod Podge after decorating.

Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions

1. Storage: Keep finished salt dough ornaments in a cool, dry place. Store them in a box or container, layered with tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent chipping. Avoid humid environments, as moisture can cause them to deteriorate.
2. Make Ahead: Prepare the dough in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before rolling.
3. Unfinished Ornaments: Store undecorated ornaments in a sealed bag or container, keeping them dry until you’re ready to paint (you can also use a used or wet tea bag to ‘antique’ the ornaments).

Similar DIY Recipes to Try on the Blog

1. DIY Easy Cinnamon Ornaments: A fragrant alternative using cinnamon for a warm, spiced aroma.
2. What You Need to Know to Get Ready for an Organized Christmas: Some really great ideas here!
3. How to Make a Bread Wreath: If you need a conversation starter for your Christmas table, this is it!

Salt dough ornaments are a delightful way to combine creativity with the joy of the holiday season. Whether you’re making them with family, gifting them to friends, or simply crafting for fun, these ornaments add a personal touch to your celebrations. With a little imagination and a few simple ingredients, you’ll create lasting memories and decorations that capture the spirit of the season.

Gather your supplies, let your creativity shine, and enjoy this festive tradition! 🎄✨

Salt Dough Ornaments

This recipe for salt dough ornaments is the best thing for the holidays! Get the kids involved and make it a fun activity for all!!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 3/4 cup water

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and pliable.
• Roll out to 1/4" thickness and cut out into preferred shapes (you can use decorative rolling pins and stamps). Punch holes with a straw at the top of each ornament so you'll be able to hang it once it hard.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for about 2-4 hours (the thicker you roll them, the longer they wil take to harden. Alternatively, you can leave the ornaments out to air-dry for approximately 2 days.
• You can leave them white or paint them.

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