DIY First Christmas Baby Footprint Tree Ornament

What’s a good mommy blog without the obligatory footprint ornament post come Christmas-time?

Salt dough ornaments are the quintessential American family Christmas tree ornament. They’re found in more homes than mistletoe or holly, I’d wager. And I will admit, I thought they were rather corny and overly-simplistic and, well… cheesy. No way I’m ever gonna succumb to those cliche trinkets. No way. Nuh-uh.

Buuuuuuuuuuuuut, now with a 3 month old facing her first Christmas, the moment I saw these floating around Pinterest, I went all stick figure meme in my kitchen, “MAKE ALL THE SALT DOUGH THINGS!!!” Yeah. Motherhood changes you, that’s for sure.

So this is the Freeman families first DIY Christmas ornament!! (Well, if you don’t count the Star Wars origami X-Wings we made our very first year as a couple..) These are SO easy to make and now I’m fairly positive that churning out DIY salt dough ornaments will be a new holiday tradition in our family.

So here’s the formula:

1 cup salt

1 cup plain flour

Up to 1 cup of water (add gradually)

And that’s it! Mix the ingredients and knead until smooth and elastic. Roll out flat and cut out whichever shape you desire with a cookie cutter. (We used a plain old bowl for the round shape).

Then stick your sleeping childs foot into the dough to make an imprint. (Or for some really fun Christmas memories, use your awake and wiggling baby.) Pierce a hole in the dough with a straw so you can thread ribbon through when you’re done.

Next, lay them on baking paper on a baking tray and heat them at 200 degrees for 3 hours. It’s VERY important not to have your oven on too high. This will cause the salt dough to bubble up and fill with air. You’re not cooking it, you’re just drying it.

When they’ve cooled, you can paint them, glitter them up, leave them be, do what you will… it’s actually quite fun and sinfully easy to do! Don’t forget to write the date on the back though!

Also, check out some other fun salt dough crafts floating around the blogosphere:

Salt Dough Leaf Imprints by Hello Wonderful

Salt Dough Leaf Bowls by Meaningful Mama

Salt Dough Ornament Garland by Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Salt Dough Napkin Rings by All Free Crafts