How to Make Ornaments Out of Flour: A Guide to Lasting Holiday Memories
Flour ornaments, also known as salt dough ornaments, are crafted by mixing flour, salt, and water, shaping the dough, baking it until hardened, and then decorating. They offer a cost-effective and personalizable way to create cherished holiday decorations.
Flour Ornaments: A Timeless Tradition
Flour ornaments, often called salt dough ornaments, have a long and fascinating history. They likely originated as a resourceful way for families to create decorations using simple, readily available ingredients. During times of economic hardship, these ornaments offered an affordable alternative to store-bought decorations, allowing families to maintain holiday traditions without breaking the bank. Today, they are valued for their nostalgic charm, versatility, and the opportunity they provide for family bonding. The simple act of mixing, shaping, and decorating these ornaments fosters creativity and creates lasting memories.
The Benefits of Flour Ornaments
Choosing to make flour ornaments over other types of decorations offers several compelling advantages:
- Cost-effective: The primary ingredients (flour, salt, water) are inexpensive and typically found in most households.
- Environmentally friendly: These ornaments are biodegradable and reduce reliance on plastic-based decorations.
- Personalizable: They can be easily shaped, painted, and decorated to reflect individual preferences and themes.
- Durable: When properly baked and stored, flour ornaments can last for many years, becoming treasured heirlooms.
- Engaging activity: The process of making flour ornaments is a fun and interactive activity for all ages.
The Flour Ornament Recipe and Baking Process
Creating flour ornaments involves a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup warm water
Instructions:
- Mix: Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
- Add water: Gradually add warm water, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Roll: Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut: Use cookie cutters to create desired shapes.
- Poke holes: Use a straw or skewer to create a hole for hanging.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 250°F (120°C) for 2-3 hours, or until hard and dry. Baking time varies depending on thickness.
- Cool: Let the ornaments cool completely on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate with acrylic paints, markers, glitter, and sealant.
Tips for Shaping and Adding Texture
Beyond simple cookie-cutter shapes, you can enhance your flour ornaments with textures and details:
- Imprinting: Use textured rolling pins, stamps, or even everyday objects like lace or leaves to imprint patterns onto the dough before baking.
- Adding Volume: Create three-dimensional elements by adding small balls or coils of dough to the surface of the ornaments.
- Using Garlic Press: Push dough through a garlic press to create textured hair or fur for animal ornaments.
- Layering: Layer different shapes on top of each other before baking for added visual interest.
Decoration Techniques
Once your ornaments are baked and cooled, the real fun begins: the decorating!
- Paints: Acrylic paints are the best choice for decorating flour ornaments because they offer vibrant colors and good adhesion. Tempera paint is an inexpensive option, but it’s more prone to chipping.
- Markers: Permanent markers can be used for fine details and outlining.
- Glitter: Apply glitter while the paint is still wet for a sparkling effect.
- Sealers: Applying a sealant, such as Mod Podge or a clear acrylic spray, will protect the painted surface and prevent chipping. This is especially important to ensure your creations last for years.
- Embellishments: Glue on beads, sequins, ribbons, or small buttons to add extra flair.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe, mistakes can happen. Here’s how to avoid some common pitfalls:
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dough is too sticky | Add a small amount of flour until the dough reaches the correct consistency. |
| Dough is too crumbly | Add a small amount of water until the dough comes together. |
| Ornaments puff up | Poke extra holes with a needle during baking to release air. |
| Ornaments crack | Bake at a low temperature (250°F / 120°C) for a longer time. |
| Paint chips easily | Apply a sealant after painting. |
| Ornaments are brown | Lower baking temperature slightly and check ornaments frequently. |
Storage Tips to Preserve Your Creations
Proper storage is crucial to prolong the life of your flour ornaments:
- Cool, dry place: Store ornaments in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Airtight container: Place ornaments in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag.
- Layering: If storing multiple ornaments together, wrap each one individually in tissue paper to prevent scratching.
- Avoid humidity: Humidity can cause ornaments to soften or mold, so ensure storage is in a low-humidity environment.
Flour Ornament Variations
While the classic flour ornament recipe is a great starting point, there are many ways to customize and enhance your creations:
- Spiced Ornaments: Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to the dough for a warm, festive scent.
- Colored Dough: Divide the dough and add food coloring to create vibrant, colorful ornaments.
- Glitter Dough: Mix glitter directly into the dough for a sparkly finish even before baking.
- Coffee Dough: Substitute some of the water with strong coffee to create a rich brown color and a subtle coffee aroma.
Safety Considerations
While making flour ornaments is a fun and generally safe activity, it’s important to keep these considerations in mind:
- Non-edible: Remind children that the dough is not edible, even though it smells appealing.
- Supervision: Supervise children when using sharp tools like cookie cutters.
- Oven safety: Always supervise children when they are near a hot oven.
- Allergies: Be mindful of potential allergies when using additional ingredients like spices or food coloring.
Creative Applications Beyond the Tree
Flour ornaments aren’t just for the Christmas tree. Get creative with other ways to display and use your handmade decorations:
- Gift Tags: Attach small flour ornaments to gifts as personalized gift tags.
- Garlands: String together a series of flour ornaments to create a festive garland.
- Table Decorations: Use ornaments as unique place card holders for holiday dinners.
- Window Decorations: Hang ornaments in windows for a cheerful display.
- Drawer Refreshers: Scented ornaments can be placed in drawers to freshen clothes.
Selling Flour Ornaments
If you enjoy making flour ornaments, consider selling them at craft fairs, online marketplaces, or local shops. Highlight the handmade aspect and the ability to personalize the ornaments for added appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flour Ornaments
How long will flour ornaments last?
When properly baked, sealed, and stored in a cool, dry place, flour ornaments can last for many years. Some families have heirloom ornaments that have been passed down through generations.
What kind of flour should I use?
All-purpose flour is the best choice for flour ornaments. It provides a good balance of strength and texture, resulting in durable and attractive ornaments.
Can I use self-rising flour?
It’s not recommended to use self-rising flour for flour ornaments. The leavening agents in self-rising flour can cause the ornaments to puff up and lose their shape during baking.
Why are my ornaments cracking?
Cracking is usually caused by baking the ornaments at too high a temperature or for too short a time. Baking at a lower temperature (250°F / 120°C) for a longer period, and ensuring the dough is fully dry before removing them from the oven, helps to prevent cracking.
Can I paint my ornaments before baking?
Painting before baking is not advisable. The paint may not adhere properly to the dough during baking, and it could also be affected by the heat. Always paint after the ornaments have cooled completely.
How can I make my ornaments waterproof?
While flour ornaments are not completely waterproof, you can enhance their water resistance by applying several coats of a high-quality sealant, such as a clear acrylic varnish or epoxy resin.
Can I add essential oils to the dough for a scented ornament?
Yes, you can add a few drops of essential oils to the dough for a subtle fragrance. Be mindful of the potential for allergic reactions and use oils safely.
How thick should I roll out the dough?
The dough should be rolled out to about 1/4 inch thickness. This thickness provides a good balance of durability and ease of cutting and shaping.
Can I use a microwave to dry the ornaments?
While microwaving can speed up the drying process, it’s not recommended. Microwaving can cause the ornaments to crack or warp. The best method is low-and-slow baking.
What kind of sealant should I use?
Mod Podge and clear acrylic spray are both excellent sealants for flour ornaments. They provide a protective layer that prevents chipping and preserves the painted surface.
How can I make my ornaments more durable?
To enhance durability, make sure to bake the ornaments until they are completely hard and dry. You can also apply multiple coats of sealant after decorating.
Can I use salt other than table salt?
While table salt is most common and readily available, you can use other types of salt like sea salt or kosher salt. Be mindful that the texture of the salt might affect the final outcome, so it may need to be ground fine.