Salt dough decorations are cheap and easy to make and they can be transformed into decor for any occasion, not only Christmas… Valentines, Easter, birthdays, Halloween, just to mention some.

MATERIALS

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup fine salt
• about 1¼ cup warm water

to decorate (later)

• craft paints
• glitter
• ribbon or thread

EQUIPMENT

• 2 baking trays lined with baking paper
• festive cookie cutters
• drinking straw
• paint brush
• rolling pin

METHOD

1. In a mixing bowl combine flour, salt and stir.
2. Gradually add water and knead the dough until well combined.
3. Roll out until about 4 mm thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutter. If the dough is too thick it may create air pockets that will make the surface bumpy and hard to paint.
4. Make a little hole on the top of each shape with a straw.
5. Bake bake in the oven preheated to  175°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes or until golden.
6. Leave aside to cool down completely.
7. Paint on one side and sprinkle with glitter straight away once still wet, leave aside to dry out.
8. Turn the decorations around and pain the other side, sprinkle with glitter again.
9. When the decorations are completely dry thread pieces of ribbon through the holes to hang them on the Christmas tree or around the house.

Makes 2 large trays of decorations.

salt dough reindeer painted by my sister Jola

NOTES

Use less salt and some oil and you will have home-made play dough.

Salt dough does not have to baked if you have time to wait, it can be air dried or dried in the oven at the lowest possible setting for very long time.

You don’t have to use good flour or salt, value salt for about 30 p per 750 g  and value flour for about 50 p per 1½ kg will work the same good. And for less than £1 you can have many, many portions of dough.

Salt dough can be stored in air tight container for over a week.

If the dough will get too soft and sticky just add a little bit more flour.

More DIY Decorations for Christmas & Other Occasions.