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!
