Christmas Ornaments from Salt Dough with Handprints

5 min read

Christmas ornaments made from salt dough capture a child handprint in a keepsake that hangs on the tree for years. Salt dough needs only flour, salt, and water, and it bakes hard in a home oven. A handprint ornament from a baby first Christmas becomes a family treasure. Older children can stamp, paint, and glitter their own ornaments for gifts.

Salt dough is one of the oldest craft materials, and it is safe for children with adult help. The dough shapes easily and holds detail well. A batch makes a dozen ornaments, so one afternoon of baking fills a tree and leaves gifts for grandparents. The ornaments keep for years if you store them dry.

Mixing Salt Dough

Mix 2 cups of plain flour, 1 cup of fine table salt, and three quarters of a cup of water in a large bowl. Stir until the mixture forms a ball, then knead it on a floured surface for five minutes. The dough should feel smooth and firm, like play dough. If it cracks, add water a teaspoon at a time. If it sticks, add flour a tablespoon at a time.

Let the dough rest for 20 minutes under a damp cloth. Resting relaxes the gluten and makes the dough easier to roll. Divide the dough into two balls so you can roll one while the other stays covered. Salt dough dries out quickly in open air, so keep unused dough covered at all times.

Shaping Handprint Ornaments

Roll the dough to 1 cm thick on a floured surface. Cut a circle with a large cookie cutter or the rim of a bowl. Press a child hand firmly into the center of the circle, holding each finger down for a few seconds. Lift the hand straight up so the print does not smear. For a baby, an adult should guide the hand and press each finger gently.

Poke a hole near the top of the ornament with a straw for the hanging ribbon. The hole must be wide enough for ribbon, because dough shrinks slightly as it dries. Smooth the edges with a fingertip dipped in water. Write the child name and year on the back with a toothpick before baking.

Baking and Drying

Place the ornaments on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 100 degrees Celsius for two hours, turning them once halfway through. Low heat dries the dough without puffing it. The ornaments are done when they feel hard and sound hollow when tapped. Thick ornaments need an extra hour; do not rush them, because a soft center cracks later.

Let the ornaments cool fully on the baking sheet. Cooling on the sheet stops them from warping. If an ornament feels cool but slightly soft in the middle, return it to the oven for 30 more minutes. Fully dried ornaments last for years, while damp ones mold in storage.

Painting and Hanging

Paint the ornaments with acrylic paint and seal them with two coats of clear varnish. Varnish protects the dough from humidity, which is the main enemy of salt dough crafts. Thread a ribbon through the hole and tie a loop. A narrow ribbon in red or green suits a Christmas tree.

Hang the ornaments on the tree or tie them to gift boxes as decoration. Store them in tissue paper in a dry box after the holidays. With varnish and dry storage, handprint ornaments stay bright for many Christmases.

Ornament Shapes Beyond Handprints

Salt dough shapes well into any cookie cutter form. Stars, trees, bells, and hearts all make lovely ornaments. Press a lace doily or a sprig of rosemary into the dough before baking to leave a textured pattern. A textured ornament looks elegant with a single coat of paint and no extra decoration.

A footprint ornament suits a baby first Christmas just as well as a handprint. Press the whole foot gently into the dough, holding the toes down one by one. A pet paw print makes a sweet ornament for an animal lover: press the paw gently and clean the dough from between the toes with a toothpick before baking.

For a set of matching ornaments

For a set of matching ornaments, roll the dough to the same thickness and cut a dozen of one shape. Paint each one the same color and add a small detail, such as a dot of gold paint or a tiny ribbon. A matching set looks polished on the tree and makes a generous gift.

For ornaments that last for years, store them in a box with tissue paper between each one. A dry cool closet keeps salt dough ornaments safe, while a damp attic or garage can soften them. Check the ornaments each year before you hang them.

A salt dough ornament with a varnished back resists moisture from the tree. Varnish both sides for the best protection. A sealed ornament lasts for many Christmases.

An ornament painted with a small brush shows neat details. A fine brush paints names and dates clearly. A steady hand makes the lettering readable.

A salt dough ornament kept in a dry box lasts for many years.

A salt dough ornament with a ribbon loop hangs neatly on the tree.

A handprint ornament made each year shows how a child grows.

There is always another angle. The guides below explore a few, starting with Hardanger Ornaments: Whitework Christmas Decor.

Tried this project?

Show us how yours turned out in the comments — your version might be exactly the inspiration another maker needs.

If this tutorial helped, share it with a fellow crafter.