When my sister and I were little, my mom made salt dough ornaments with us. She let us form the dough into little shepherds, angels, and Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. After our little hands formed the lumpy Nativity figures, we painted them yellow and added smeary black faces. Even though I remember them as ugly and misshaped ornaments, I have great memories of hanging them on our tree every year when we were growing up.
Now it has become our family tradition to make salt dough ornaments for our Christmas tree. It’s so easy and fun! I even made an Olaf ornament for our tree this year. I formed the dough into a pear-shape, painted it white, and then drew on his features with a black permanent marker. Then I added an orange carrot nose! Now there’s a little bit of Frozen on our Christmas tree.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup water.
Form into shapes. We made some free hand ornaments, and used a cookie cutter for some.
Don’t forget to make a small hole for hanging!
Bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper at 200 degrees for 3 hours.
Paint with acrylic paint (we used some glitter paint for extra sparkle).
If desired, brush with Mod Podge for a glossy finish.
String a ribbon through the hole, and use for a tree ornament or tie onto a present as a gift tag.
Do you make any special ornaments you hang on the tree every year?
Click here to print Salt Dough Ornament directions!
Totally forgot about these, but so did this when I was younger in school and totally pinning to try with my girls soon. Thanks for bringing back some great memories on this and for the “recipe”, too!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…More Christmas Time Thankful Things
Thanks for pinning! My girls had so much fun making them!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
You just reminded me I still have time to do these with the girls. And you know how much they love Olaf. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Merry Christmas from Us Plus Wonderful Wednesday Blogs!!!
OMG! That so totally brings me back to my formidable school days. I asked my kids if they did anything like that but they didn’t. Too bad because these were a lot of fun.
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…Dear Santa….My Spin
It was a lot of fun! I think my preschool kids will remember this project!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
You just gave me the nicest memory because my mom used to make these with us, and with her art students. And I can’t ever forget the smell! I loved it.
tamaralikecamera recently posted…The One In Which Honesty Is An Understatement..
They do have a distinctive smell from all that salt! My kids asked if they could eat it (they are old enough to not put it in their mouths) and I told them it would taste pretty nasty if they tasted it! (They didn’t.)
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
Salt dough ornaments are fun! My children loved doing this…I continued to do it with my daycare kids, now that my own children are grown. Perhaps, some day I will have grandchildren to carry on the tradition.
It will be a fun activity to do with grandchildren! They will love coming over the Grandma’s house. 🙂
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
Hi Ginny! I saw your note on my blog — I’m glad you stopped by from SITSSharefest! What coincidences we share: Iowa, BC, kids… We also lived in the Chicago burbs for a few years! Rockford for 13 years then Evanston and Gurnee. What part of Iowa will you be visiting? I grew up in NE Iowa. I too love decorating trees — Mom’s and mine! Every ornament on Mom’s tree is a chance to catch up on her friends and stories from the past. Beautiful tradition… Merry Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by! My dad lives in a suburb of Des Moines, but my mom grew up in Fort Dodge. Have a Merry Christmas!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
my mother made those 45 years ago! I remember wanting and trying to eat them. I may try this next year if my kids are game.
It’s a timeless recipe! I would imagine the dough would taste nasty…I haven’t tried it myself! 😉
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
Oh man, I want to do this! Will you lend me your girls? Jude has zero interest in crafting, it’s a real drag.
Gretchen recently posted…Spin Cycle: Dear Santa
I will gladly do an exchange! Having a boy for a couple of days would probably be an eye-opener for me. 🙂
Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 12/16}
Those came out really cute. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Merry Christmas to you and your family, all things wonderful in 2014!
debby9972 recently posted…WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE
They did turn out well, didn’t they? Have a Merry Christmas, Debby!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Just ONE thing this holiday season
It sure seems like lots of fun. I remember making salt dough shapes as a child too.
Astrid recently posted…How I’d Spend the Holidays…
I have been wanting to do these for weeks now — time got away from me!
We may need to try them tomorrow… Or maybe after Christmas! I love the sparkly ones!
You could definitely make them after Christmas! Just make snowflakes or hearts for Valentine’s Day! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
Well, I have some of the ones my son, his friends and I made probably 38 years. They are part of my table decor. Have a Happy New Year!
Janice recently posted…Departing Year
Happy New Year to you to, Janice! I hope 2015 is a wonderful year for you and your loved ones. 🙂