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Make Flour, Salt, and Water into Meaningful Holiday Decorations
A Moment That Inspired Salt Dough Ornaments
I still remember the first Christmas I made salt dough ornaments with my first son. It wasn’t Pinterest-perfect. In fact, I made the dough with kosher salt and nothing I did dissolved the massive salt chunks… so, that batch was a bust. I tried again, with fine salt, but it still didn’t quite work. I still have this one, with his tiny little handprint, but it has warped and cracked over the years.
Then when my second son’s first Christmas came around, I was determined to make it work. And it did! We made so many ornaments with this recipe, and kept some for ourselves, and gave some away as stocking stuffers. So this year, I want to share the recipe I used and how I made it perfect, for all those moms out there who want the precious Christmas keepsakes.
How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
This is the simplest recipe I’ve tried, and it actually lasts.
- Flour (make sure it’s white, not whole grain!)
- Salt (fine, not coarse… don’t make the same mistake I did)
- Lukewarm water
Mix with your hands until a dough forms. Roll out on a floured surface and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Use a straw to poke a hole if you want it to hang as an ornament. You can let them air dry for a couple of days (my favourite method for durability) or bake on a parchment-lined tray at 200°F until hardened (usually 3-4 hours depending on how thick you made them).
Once dry, decorate with acrylic paints, or seal them right away with Mod Podge if you like the natural look. I’ve done both, and each style has its own charm.
Why Salt Dough Ornaments Are More Than Christmas Crafting
This is more than just a holiday craft with our kids. It’s an invitation to slow down and bring glow into your Christmas rhythms.
- Memory making: You’re not just creating an ornament, you’re making a keepsake your kids or grandkids will look back on.
- Non-toxic fun: Flour, salt, and water—nothing harsh, nothing you can’t pronounce. It’s safe for kids to help roll, cut, and press their little hands into.
- Homemade over store-bought: In a world full of cheap decorations, this feels grounded and intentional.
This is exactly the type of thing I want to focus on this holiday season… being intentional with our time, and making memories around the holidays. Read my post on how to have a 90s Christmas for more ideas on how to go back to the basics to have a magical Christmas, just like we had when we were kids.
Keeping Christmas Simple for Moms
You don’t need perfection. Even cracked edges or messy paint strokes carry meaning. That’s motherhood. The important thing is that you tried, you slowed down, and you created something together.
For more on having a slow intentional Christmas, you may like these blog posts about having a 90s style Christmas, keeping things simple this Christmas, or how to manage your mental health through the holidays.
If you’re like me and want to keep leaning into intentional living, wellness, and motherhood rhythms, subscribe to Let’s Glow. You’ll get exclusive Canadian discount codes, simple wellness tips for busy moms, and updates whenever new blog posts and resources go live.
If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments, or share this post with a friend who would love it too!
Salt Dough Ornaments (That actually last!)
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 Rolling Pin
- cookie cutters optional
- straw to poke the hole for the string
Ingredients
- 1 cup salt fine, not coarse
- 2 cups flour white
- 1 cup water lukewarm
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and knead like dough. Add sprinkles of water or flour to achieve desired consistency (should be firm but smooth).
- Roll out approx 1/2 inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Make slightly thicker if using for hand or foot prints.
- Let dry naturally for best results (about 5-7 days).
- Place in the oven at 200℉ for approximately one hour to speed up drying. Cool completely overnight.
- Paint with acrylic paints and seal with a seal glaze or Mod Podge. Let dry completely and enjoy your ornaments or decorations for years to come.
