Salt Dough ornaments

Here’s a guide to creating festive salt dough ornaments for Christmas:

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (holiday shapes like stars, trees, and snowflakes)
• Straw or skewer (for making holes for hanging)
• Baking sheet
• Acrylic paint (in Christmas colors like red, green, white, and gold)
• Paintbrushes
• Sealant or clear varnish (optional, to protect the paint)
• String or ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Salt Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
2. Gradually add warm water while mixing until a dough forms. It should be smooth but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s soft and easy to work with.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Thinner ornaments will be less likely to crack when baked and will hang better on the tree.

Step 3: Cut Out Shapes

1. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough.
2. Carefully transfer the shapes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Use a straw or skewer to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament (this will be for the ribbon or string to hang them).

Step 4: Bake the Ornaments

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
2. Bake the ornaments for 2-3 hours, or until they are completely dry and hard. Baking times may vary based on thickness, so check them periodically.
3. Let the ornaments cool completely before decorating.

Step 5: Paint and Decorate

1. Once the ornaments are cool, use acrylic paint to decorate them with Christmas colors and patterns. You can create snowflakes, candy cane stripes, holly, or even add names or dates for personalization.
2. Let the paint dry completely. For durability, especially if you’re storing them for next year, apply a coat of clear sealant or varnish.

Step 6: Add String or Ribbon

1. Thread string or ribbon through the hole at the top of each ornament, knotting it to create a loop for hanging.

Your handmade salt dough ornaments are ready to decorate your tree or give as personalized gifts!