Comments on: Homemade Gift Series #9: Handmade Ornaments

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:35:27 +0000

Thanks Trent, this is just what i have been waiting for. We have been on an adventure with our finances and Presents this year were a no. We usually try and find an ornament that represents our year. Well thank you for the idea. I am truely blessed for your website and this idea. I just about have everything. God bless youa nd your family this Chirstmas, you guys have definately touched our family.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:04:35 +0000

@Trent – are you sure you didn’t use 1 3/4 cup of water? I tried 3/4 cup and it was mostly still dry. I didn’t measure how much more I added but it was a LOT, before it started to get anything like dough.

Thanks for the idea, I am using a few of these. I appreciate it!

By: Vickie

Vickie — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:36:28 +0000

I’m going to be making these. Thanks for the idea. :)

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:32:17 +0000

These are very durable… and they will last a LONG TIME if kept properly (not in intense heat or cold or in direct sunlight). We still have one that my father made when he was young that is now at least 55 years old. Pretty cool!

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 15:51:30 +0000

They look fun, however I’m scared since my cat looooooves to scale the Christmas tree from the moment I put it up to the moment I put it away (I have NO Xmas ornaments, she broke them all last year – granted they were just bulbs), she’d try to eat the ornaments as well. Or, since I have a dog, they’d use a tag-team plan where the cat would knock down the ornaments, then the dog would eat them.

I could give the ingredients in a jar to my boyfriend’s sister for Xmas – for her 2nd child’s first Christmas. Brilliant.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:07:44 +0000

My long standing tradition for homemade Christmas ornaments is to give one to EVERY person who comes to my door in December. Friend, foe, salesman, repairman, EVERY one.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 01:30:46 +0000

Make a new tradition by letting each child pick u unique, unbreakable ornament when you take down your tree. 5hey each have a box for their ornaments. 2hen they grow up and move out they have ornaments for their first home ytree. make a list so they can take their ornaments off each year.

By: kristine

kristine — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:26:12 +0000

Oh, and if you cut the ribbon end on the bias (diagonal), it will fray much less.

By: kristine

kristine — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:24:04 +0000

You can paint the snowflakes a gorgeous copenhagen blue, then use a silver sharpie to draw snowflake lines. If done by an adult who can draw straight lines, they are suitable for any tree. We made these but using sculpy that was destined for the trash bin. Your recipe is very low-cost.

By: AniVee

AniVee — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:31:41 +0000

#16 Availle – C’mon! don’t be a Grinch! These are adorable, and most of us shouldn’t be munching on sweets and cookies, anyway … think: temptation removed.

Wonderful post!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:50:31 +0000

omg… I remember these… we made them once when I was like 4 years old with my mom…. we loved them so much!!! My mom did all the hard work and then let us kids paint them… my favorite was the pink rockinghorse I made… my mom still has it! she painted my name on it and the year (1989). It’s one of the best memories I’ve ever had! I think this year I’ll make them with my little girl… even though she’s only 1 year old she’ll love it (and I’d love to do handprints for all the grandparents…. i think i’ll just do a round cut out (maybe a small bowl sized) and have her do her hand!!!…. just don’t let any kids eat the dough or they’ll get an upset tummy from all the salt lol!!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:06:05 +0000

April, any salt will work, I actually use the regular cheap table salt because I think the little crystals dissolve best.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:07:35 +0000

If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can add some glitter to the mix, too. It all depends on how you feel about glitter…it’s pretty, but it’s also a mess!
I made a set of teeny Nativity figures out of this dough when I was 21 and in my first apartment with no decorations of my own and no money to buy them. 20 years later, they are cute as ever.

By: April411

April411 — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:09:35 +0000

Very cute. I used to work at a preschool and the teacher in the classroom next to mine made these with her students one year. The whole place smelled like cinnamon. Do you have to use canning and pickling salt or will any salt work?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:24:56 +0000

One of my aunts always made handmade ornaments for everyone. They weren’t like these, obviously, but everyone got a handmade ornament from her every Christmas. One year, it could be ornaments made of plastic canvas, another year they could be knitted, or another year they could be needlepoint. Whatever they were, they were always very special. After we grew up and had kids of our own, our kids get handmade ornaments from her now, too. It’s now a tradition.

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:15:06 +0000

I still have an ornament made just like these that my oldest son made in kindergarten…he’s 28 now. It still graces our tree every year, and still has a very faint cinnamon scent :) What a lovely reminder for your children!

By: Availle

Availle — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 02:13:59 +0000

Well, with this one you wouldn’t be friends with me for much longer I guess… I mean, let’s look at this from my perspective:

It looks like a cookie, it smells like a cookie… and I can’t EAT them?

That’s not Christmas decoration, that’s Christmas disappointment. Especially when I can’t bake anything myself… :-(

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 01:37:02 +0000

I really like the idea of the kids handprint, you could do them every year as a keepsake. Or as baby’s first christmas hands and feet. Too cute!

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 01:09:56 +0000

I vote for continuing to let the kids decorate these – I find the crazy colors a lot of fun, & what a great way for them to feel a part of the gift giving process. Anyone you know well enough to be making gifts for will, I’m sure, get a kick out of their artwork.

By: Dwight Anthony

Dwight Anthony — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:44:23 +0000

Really puts me in the festive spirit and savings to boot!

Dwight Anthony
Financially Elite Blog dot Com