Santa Claus Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

This year, my children have active roles in making or buying Christmas presents for our friends and family members. These Santa Claus Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments are a fabulous project to aid in that effort. The ornaments, although a little time intensive, consist of simple pantry staples and are very easy to make. Follow along to read how to make these adorable handprint ornaments!

Santa Salt Dough Ornaments Ingredients

Gather up the few ingredients, and a large mixing bowl. I made one-and-a-half times this recipe from Momma Society, since my “little” kids are getting bigger and have larger hands than a baby or young toddler would. We were able to make six handprint ornaments, and had a little dough left over. I previously made essential oil salt dough ornaments, which is a fun twist on the recipe. But for this project, I decided to make the classic version.

  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • Extra flour for dusting
  • Drinking straw
Santa Claus Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments Materials

For decorating, you will need:

  • Acrylic paint (I used black, white, cream, pink, orange and red)
  • Paint brushes – a variety of sizes
  • Newspaper to protect the worksurface
  • String or ribbon for hanging the ornaments
  • Sharpie marker

How to Make Santa Salt Dough Ornaments

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and lightly dust flour onto two baking sheets.

First, add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and knead for five minutes. Next, dust your counter with a little flour and roll out the dough until it is about 1/3 in. thick.

Then, help your children make handprints in the dough, taking care not to press too deep so that you create thin areas or holes.

Making handprints

Use a sharp knife to cut out each handprint and place on prepared cookie sheets. Use a drinking straw to cut out the hole in the palm area; this hole will be used for hanging the ornament.

Baking the Handprints

Bake the ornaments for four hours total, ensuring to turn the ornaments over at the two hour mark. Place the ornaments on top of waxed paper on your countertop and allow to cool completely. I left our ornaments overnight and decorated the following day.

Decorating Your Ornaments

Now that the ornaments have cooled, put down newspaper and gather your decorating materials. Begin by using a large paintbrush to coat the front and sides of each ornament with white paint. Apply two to three coats, allowing each coat to dry fully before applying the next.

Adding white paint to handprints

Next, apply red paint over the palm and thumb areas; this paint will create Santa’s hat.

Adding hats to handprints

Then, mix the paints together to create a flesh tone. I used pink, cream, orange and a little white. Apply Santa’s face under the hat.

Adding faces to handprint ornaments

Now, add the details! I used cream paint for dots and a poof on Santa’s hat. I then added layers of black and white paint to create his eyes. Red paint is used for his rosy nose and Santa’s mouth is a pink splot under his white mustache. Use a smaller brush to clean up any areas of paint, as necessary.

Adding details to ornaments

Last, allow your Santas to dry overnight before labeling each on the back with a Sharpie pen (year and kid’s name should do). Thread a length of string or ribbon through the hole and these ornaments are ready to hang!

Santa Claus Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments Final 1
Santa Claus Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments Final 2
  • About Jackie Richardson

    Jackie Baird Richardson is an interior designer, editor at The WON and avid junker. Watch for her design tips and occasional crafting ideas, bringing the outdoors indoors.

     

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