Budget-Friendly Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments: Step-by-Step Guide

Don’t spend a fortune on plastic decorations. Make memories and decorate for Christmas with these handmade salt dough Christmas ornaments.

Looking for a simple, inexpensive way to bring holiday cheer into your home?

Skip the mass-produced decorations and create lasting memories by crafting salt dough ornaments with family and friends. Making your own ornaments is budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and a lovely way to establish seasonal traditions that you’ll treasure for years.

I once read a quote about seasonal festivals that captures why this kind of preparation matters: celebrating the seasons connects us to the rhythms of nature, creating joy in anticipation, preparation, celebration, and memory. Even if you don’t follow a particular educational or spiritual tradition, that idea — taking time to mark the season — can make the holidays feel richer and more meaningful.

Handmade ornaments stretch the holiday feeling across December and give your tree a personal touch. Salt dough is especially appealing because it’s cheap, uses pantry ingredients, and is straightforward to make with kids of almost any age.

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is essentially the same concept as homemade playdough, but you let it harden on purpose. The basic recipe uses just three ingredients you probably already have: table salt, plain flour, and water. I prefer the simple recipe because it’s eco-friendly and the salt gives a pleasant texture to the finished ornaments.

To make the dough, mix the salt and flour in a bowl, then add water a little at a time until the mixture comes together. Knead until smooth and let the dough rest for about 20 minutes — this makes it easier to roll out.

Roll the dough to roughly 2 mm thickness and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Use a pencil or paper straw to make a hole at the top of each ornament so you can thread ribbon or twine for hanging.

Bake the ornaments on a rack at low heat (about 120°C / 250°F) for around two hours until fully dry and hard. In dry climates you can air-dry them in the sun — a warm car or sunny windowsill speeds the process — but baking is more reliable in humid conditions.

These ornaments can last for several years. If you want extra durability, seal them with a clear varnish or spray coat after decorating. If you prefer a fully natural, compostable option, skip paints and sealants and compost the ornaments after the season so you can make a fresh set next year.

For troubleshooting tips and decoration ideas, read on further in the article.

We make salt dough ornaments as part of an activities-based advent tradition. The crafts help us slow down and connect during an otherwise busy season, and children often remember the process more than store-bought trimmings.

Yield: lots

Salt Dough Christmas Decorations

Prep Time
25 minutes

Active Time
1 hour

Additional Time
2 hours

Total Time
3 hours 25 minutes

Difficulty
Easy

Estimated Cost
$1 – $5

Materials

• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1/2 – 1 cup of water

Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters

Instructions

1. Mix salt and flour in a bowl.
2. Add water a little at a time until the mixture forms a dough.
3. Knead until smooth and let rest for 20 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
5. Bake at 120°C (250°F) for about 2 hours or until dry and hard. Cool completely before decorating.

Notes

See the article above for decoration and embellishment ideas.

Ideas for Decorating Your Salt Dough Ornaments

I love the simple elegance of plain, white salt dough shapes against the green of a Christmas tree. If you prefer more color or texture, here are a range of natural and non-natural embellishment ideas.

Natural Salt Dough Embellishments

• Use natural pigments or homemade ochre-style paints for subtle, earthy colors.
• Cut delicate snowflake or star designs from the dough before baking.
• Stamp patterns into the raw dough with paper stamps or textured objects; stamp before cutting and baking for the cleanest impression.
• Press textured materials into the dough — leaves, lace, burlap, bark, or shells make attractive impressions.
• Glue on seeds, dried leaves, nuts, bark, or feathers after the ornaments are baked.
• Use a toothpick to inscribe names, dates, or small designs in the dough before baking for keepsake ornaments.
• Make an annual handprint ornament by pressing a child’s hand into the dough each year for a sentimental series of keepsakes.

Non-Natural Salt Ornament Embellishments

• Paint cooked ornaments with acrylics or craft paint — single colors, patterns, or faces all work well.
• Create raised texture with glue on the baked ornament, then paint over the dried glue for a dimensional effect.
• Add glitter, sequins, buttons, beads, or craft ribbon after baking. If you plan to reuse embellishments, remove them at the end of the season.
• Use fine-tipped markers or paint pens for detailed patterns; metallic gold or silver pens add a classy touch.
• Sculpt small three-dimensional ornaments rather than cutting flat shapes. These may require longer drying or lower, slower baking to fully harden.

Troubleshooting and FAQ: Salt Dough Ornaments

1. Sticky dough
If the dough sticks to hands or rolling pin, add a tablespoon of flour at a time and knead thoroughly. Avoid adding too much flour, which can make the dough crumbly.

2. Dry dough
If the dough is too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time and knead until smooth and pliable.

3. Air-drying
Air-drying works but can take several days depending on thickness and humidity. Place ornaments in a warm, well-ventilated spot and turn them periodically for even drying.

4. Puffing in the oven
Puffing usually means the oven is too hot or the dough is too thick. Bake at low heat (around 120°C / 250°F) and roll the dough thinner to reduce trapped air.

5. Ornaments still soft after baking
If ornaments remain soft, they may be too thick or need more baking time. Continue at low heat and check every 30 minutes until firm. Allow full cooling before decorating.

6. Making ornaments last
Seal painted ornaments with a clear varnish or spray sealant to protect them from moisture and wear. Without sealing, salt dough can absorb humidity and soften over time.

7. No cookie cutters?
Use cups, lids, or a knife to cut shapes. You can also freeform shapes with your hands for a rustic look.

8. Uneven thickness
Uneven pieces bake unevenly. Aim for consistent thickness when rolling (about 2 mm is a good target) and flip ornaments halfway through baking if needed.

9. Adding scent
Add a few drops of essential oil (cinnamon, peppermint, pine) or mix in ground spices for a festive aroma. Be cautious with strong oils, which can affect color or consistency.

10. Storage
Store ornaments in a cool, dry place wrapped in tissue or in an airtight container to protect them until next year.

11. Gluten-free options
You can use gluten-free flours such as rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend, but you may need to adjust water amounts to reach the right dough consistency.

Do you have holiday crafting traditions or favorite ornament ideas? Share them in the comments and inspire others to create their own keepsakes.

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