Ready to add some extra sparkle to your holiday season? With just a few simple ingredients and a sprinkle of creativity, you can make gorgeous, handmade salt dough ornaments that’ll add a personal touch to your holiday decor.
So, grab a cup of cocoa, turn up those festive tunes, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to making salt dough ornaments.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a Pinterest-worthy Christmas tree—and maybe even a new holiday tradition. Let’s get started!
The Best Salt Dough Recipe
Making salt dough is as easy as pie (maybe even easier!). Here’s the perfect recipe to get you started:
Ingredients For Salt Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup table salt
- ½ cup water (add a little more if needed)
Instructions:
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Slowly add the water while stirring until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and pliable.
- Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface.
- Use cookie cutters or freehand designs to create your ornaments.
- Don’t forget to poke a small hole at the top of each ornament for hanging later! A straw works perfectly for this.
- Bake at 200°F (90°C) for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through, or air dry for 2-3 days.
Now that you’ve got your salt dough ready, let’s get into the fun part—making ornaments!
13 Fun Salt Dough Ornaments to Try
1. Classic Shapes with a Twist
Cut out stars, hearts, and Christmas trees, then paint them with metallic or pastel colors for a chic look, like this cute idea from thebestideasforkids that’s so easy to make.
2. Handprint Keepsakes
Press little hands into the dough to create a special memory. Perfect for gifting grandparents! This is super easy to make and will be a great addition to your Christmas tree, here is a great step-by-step on how to make one.
3. Initials & Names
Personalize your ornaments with initials or names using letter stamps or by carving them in with a toothpick.
4. Glittered Stars
Brush a thin layer of glue on your star ornaments and sprinkle with glitter for a sparkly finish. This is super cute and easy to make, here is a simple step-by-step on how to get these cute ornaments.
5. Natural Impressions
Press pine needles, leaves, or even lace into the dough to create a textured, nature-inspired design. This is super easy to make, see how to make them over at Laura Radniecki Easy Crafts.
6. Marble Effect
Mix a little food coloring into small sections of dough, twist them together, and roll for a marbled appearance. Find some inspiration at the Inspiration board.
7. Cookie Cutter Animals
Think reindeer, polar bears, or even penguins for an adorable animal-themed tree. I love this bunny design from First Day Of Home.
8. Painted Mandalas
Use a fine-tip brush to paint mandala patterns in bright colors for a boho vibe.
9. Gold-Dipped Edges
Once your ornaments are baked and painted, dip the edges in gold paint or glitter for a luxe touch.
10. Stamped Quotes
Use alphabet stamps to add festive phrases like “Joy” or “Merry & Bright.”
11. Mini Wreaths
Form small circles from the dough and decorate with tiny bows or painted berries to mimic wreaths.
12. Holiday Animals
Use cookie cutters to create reindeer, owls, or snowmen, and decorate them with paint and tiny details. Here’s how to make the reindeer salt dough ornaments.
13. Photo Frame Ornaments
Cut out a square or circle in the center of the ornament, and once baked, attach a family photo to the back with glue.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Ornaments
- Seal Your Ornaments: Once painted, seal the ornaments with a clear varnish to protect them and give them a polished finish.
- Don’t Skip the Flip: If baking, flip the ornaments halfway through to avoid curling edges.
- Keep It Thin: Thicker ornaments take longer to dry and can crack, so aim for even thickness when rolling out the dough.
Salt dough ornaments are not just fun to make—they’re the perfect way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor.
Whether you’re going for rustic vibes or glam designs, these ornaments are sure to make your tree shine. Plus, they’re a great activity for kids and adults alike!
Happy crafting!
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