Updating a Christmas Classic : Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are one of those rights-of-passage crafts that every kid should get to enjoy – and every parent should get to experience on the “other side”. Salt dough is easy to make, super inexpensive, and practically indestructible. Give the old classic a modern twist with metallics, glitter or a monochromatic scheme.

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Preheat your oven to 200* F and set several baking sheets aside. (For planning purposes, many recipes I’ve read call for 3-6 hours of dry-time in the oven. I have found the best results with a 4 hour “oven on” time. Then, I turn the oven off and leave the ornaments in the closed oven overnight.)

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The basic recipe is 1 c flour, 1/2 c salt and 1/2 cup warm water from the tap. This recipe is easily double or tripled.

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Toss everything in a stand mixer with the dough hook attached OR mix it really well in a bowl with a mixing spoon. In the stand mixer, it takes about 2 minutes.

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Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. I like to roll and cut right on foil or parchment so I don’t have to move the cut-outs later. I used a tin can, biscuit and cookie cutters, and a mason jar ring as my cutters.

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Use a straw to cut out holes for ribbon. If you pinch the end of the straw a little, then twist the straw while it’s in the dough, the cut out part will come right out leaving a perfect hole!

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We made a few hand print ornaments and a whole batch with finger pokes.

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The ornaments come right off the foil with a little oomph from a spatula. They are the color of a perfect sugar cookie and really hard.

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Give them a few coats of a light color craft paint and let dry thoroughly. The hand print disc was coated in gold! Oh la la!

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I only gave her one color of paint to use – not only do I like the monochromatic look – but it kept the ornament from becoming muddy… Older kiddos might really enjoy painting designs or embellishing their ornaments. You can create a cohesive look by limiting the color palette to three or four colors. Coat the thoroughly dried ornaments with ModgePodge or a similar sealant.

 

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Run ribbon or trim through the holes to hang!  Happy Decorating!

Amanda
A fifth-generation San Antonionian - who happened to spend her formative years in Austin - Amanda loves the SAT from the confetti in her hair to the bluebonnets under her feet. Never one to miss a reason to host a party or decorate for a theme, Amanda revels in the 'mas Fiesta' attitude of the city. She's mom to Vivi (2012) aka #HurricaneVivi, Mac (2020) and wife to Francois, whom she met at Texas A&M (FTAC '05). She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Making it Up As She Goes - which means she's a sometimes-fun-mom. You can find her on Instagram . She loves confetti, croissants, and a cold Ranch Water. Favorite Restaurant: Piatti's Favorite Landmark: Johnson Street footbridge in King William Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Medals

4 COMMENTS

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  2. Oooh great idea. Cheap, easy, and easy to make in huge multiples. I am going to do with with my kids next week. Thanks for the reminder of these.

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