Handmade Christmas, Part 1

The tree is out, and the ornaments are being put on. I love doing this with the kids because they’ve made most of what we put on the tree, starting with the Naturalist all those many years ago! (11! Can it be?) I remember making ornaments with my mom, and look forward to continuing the tradition with my kids. Here’s what we do for Salt Dough Ornaments:

Classic Salt Dough Ornament Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup hot water

Directions:
1. Mix salt and flour.
2. Add in half the water, then gradually add the remaining water.
3. Knead until the dough is smooth, this can take up to 10 minutes.
4. For flat dough ornaments roll out the dough on baking paper…or be creative and make odd shapes and wreaths (takes longer to bake)

Create: Use cookie cutters, cut-out templates, or just use your hands. (I used the cookie cutters that add the detail lines into the dough when you press it down, just ‘cuz that’s what my mom used when I was a little girl!) This dries out quickly and doesn’t save well–so work quickly and only make as much as you’ll use. I’m not sure how many this recipe makes because it changes with the size of the cookie cutters/shapes used.

Don’t Forget:Use a straw to make a hole so you can hang the ornament!

Temperature: 325 degreesTime: 1 1/2 hours – or until dry

Decorate: Let cool before you begin. Paint with acrylic paints. Glue on beads, buttons, or any fun accessory. This is the fun part…look at the concentration! It gets so quiet when everyone starts painting!

The older kids give it lots more detail…

The younger kids just glop it on!

Preservation: Coat with mod podge when everything is dry.