The first whiff of cinnamon filling the air can instantly bring the warmth of the holidays into any home. Last December, while wrapping gifts, I remembered fondly how my grandmother made those delightful cinnamon dough ornaments with us. They were not only stunning decorations but also a cherished family tradition filled with laughter and creativity.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly DIY project to brighten your festive season, let me show you how to make these charming ornaments! Made with simple pantry staples, this easy craft is perfect for all ages, inviting little hands to join in and create something truly special. As you mix, knead, and shape your dough, the delightful scent will whisk you away to holiday memories, making the process as rewarding as the finished product. Not to mention, these rustic beauties are perfect for adorning your Christmas tree or decorating gift bags with a personal touch. Let’s get started on this wonderful journey of creativity!
How to Make Cinnamon Dough Ornaments?
Delightful scents fill your home: The warm aroma of cinnamon will create an inviting atmosphere that brings the holiday spirit alive.
Simple and fun: This easy DIY project is perfect for all ages, making it a fantastic family bonding activity.
Budget-friendly: Using pantry staples, you can create charming ornaments without breaking the bank.
Versatile designs: Customize your ornaments with cookie cutters, colors, and decorations to reflect your personal style.
A cherished tradition: Crafting these ornaments connects you with seasonal family traditions, echoing the memories of generations past.
No-bake option: You can air-dry your ornaments or bake them to achieve those lovely rustic finishes—it's entirely up to you! Who knew such delightful creations could come from simple ingredients?
Cinnamon Dough Ornaments Ingredients
Get ready to craft some delightful holiday decorations with these essential ingredients!
For the Dough
- Flour – This all-purpose flour provides the perfect structure for your cinnamon dough ornaments.
- Cinnamon – It not only adds a festive flavor but also a warm aroma; consider using extra for an even bolder scent!
- Salt – This ingredient helps preserve the dough, giving your ornaments the right texture and longevity.
- Warm Water – This binds everything together, so ensure it’s warm but not too hot to avoid cooking the dough.
For Extra Scent (optional)
- Essential Oils – Boost the fragrance with cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg oils to personalize your ornaments beautifully.
With these simple ingredients, you're well on your way to creating stunning cinnamon dough ornaments, perfect for holiday fun!
How to Make Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, ½ cup of cinnamon, and 1 cup of salt until clump-free. This ensures an even, fragrant base for your dough.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Gradually add warm water to the dry mix and stir until a dough forms. If you'd like an extra fragrant touch, consider adding 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Knead Dough: Form the mixture into a dough ball, then knead gently on a floured surface. If the dough feels sticky, dust with a bit more flour for the perfect consistency.
Roll Out Dough: On that lightly floured surface, roll your dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Aim for an even surface to ensure uniform baking or drying, which promotes a beautiful rustic finish.
Cut Shapes: Using cookie cutters, cut out your desired shapes. Feel free to add little details by imprinting stamps or pressing other decorative items into the dough.
Create Holes: With a small dowel or pencil, carefully poke holes in the top of each shape for hanging. This step is essential for easy display during the holidays!
Dry Ornaments: Place shaped pieces on wax paper to air-dry for several days, or bake them in the oven at 200°F for about 2.5 hours. Keep a close eye as they dry to prevent burning; you want them to come out beautifully rustic.
Decorate and Finish: Once fully dry, unleash your creativity! Use paint, glue, or glitter to decorate as desired, and thread some ribbon or twine through the holes for hanging.
Optional: Add a sprinkle of glitter on top of your ornaments for a festive sparkle!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips for Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
Airflow Matters: Ensure your drying area is well-ventilated to prevent any funky smells and promote even drying of your cinnamon dough ornaments.
Watch the Oven: If you choose the baking method, keep a close eye on the ornaments to maintain their lovely rustic charm without burning.
Avoid Sticky Dough: When kneading, add flour gradually if the dough feels sticky; you want the perfect consistency for cutting shapes easily.
Customize Scents: Adding essential oils isn’t just for fragrance; it can really elevate your ornaments. Experiment with cinnamon or nutmeg for unique, lovely scents!
Store Wisely: After drying, keep your ornaments in an airtight container to extend their essential fragrance throughout the holiday season.
Gift-Making Fun: These cinnamon dough ornaments make wonderful gifts! Add personal touches to make each ornament unique for friends and family.
Cinnamon Dough Ornaments Variations
Feel free to get creative and personalize your ornaments with these fun and easy twists!
Food Coloring: Add a few drops of your favorite food coloring to the dough for vibrant, colorful ornaments. This can make your decorations pop and adds a fun touch for kids!
Different Spices: Experiment with nutmeg, cloves, or allspice for varied scents. Each spice brings its own warmth and nostalgia, making every ornament unique.
Essential Oil Boost: Enhance the aroma even more by incorporating essential oils. Lavender or orange can provide a delightful fragrance that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon.
Glitter Galore: Mix in a bit of biodegradable glitter to the dough for a sparkling finish. After drying, you can also sprinkle some on top of your ornaments for extra holiday sparkle!
Texture Twist: Instead of a smooth finish, use textured items like lace or leaves to imprint unique patterns on the dough. Your ornaments will have a rustic, artistic touch.
Miniature Ornaments: Create small, bite-sized ornaments using cookie molds for a whimsical touch. These can be great additions to holiday gift bags or as package toppers!
Holiday Shapes: Use seasonal cookie cutters like stars, trees, or snowflakes to create themed ornaments that celebrate the festive season.
Scented Tags: Incorporate dried fruit slices or whole spices into the shapes before drying. They could add both beauty and enhanced scent, making them perfect for gifts or festive décor.
These variations not only encourage creativity but also ensure that every ornament tells a story of your family’s holiday spirit!
What to Serve with Cinnamon Dough Ornaments?
These charming homemade ornaments create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for brightening your holiday festivities.
- Festive Hot Cocoa: A warm cup of hot cocoa complements the spicy aroma from the ornaments, bringing an extra layer of comfort to your home.
- Gingerbread Cookies: The scents of ginger and cinnamon pair beautifully, creating a cohesive holiday vibe that’s both delicious and nostalgic.
- Mulled Wine: This spiced drink enhances the overall festive ambiance, making it a cozy option to enjoy while decorating your ornaments.
- Peppermint Bark: A sweet, crunchy treat that adds a contrasting flavor to the warm spices of the ornaments, perfect for gifting or snacking.
- Scented Candles: Use candles with similar scents to your ornaments, such as cinnamon or clove, to elevate your holiday décor and keep the festive spirit alive.
- Sparkling Cider: Effervescent and celebratory, this drink will make the decoration process feel extra special while matching the joy of crafting.
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream: A cold, creamy treat provides a delightful contrast to the warmth of cinnamon, creating a fun and festive dessert experience.
- Salted Caramel Brownies: Rich and indulgent, these brownies would be a perfect treat to enjoy while making your ornaments, adding a touch of sweetness to the day!
Make Ahead Options
These Cinnamon Dough Ornaments are perfect for preparing ahead of time, making your holiday crafting sessions smoother and more enjoyable. You can mix the dry ingredients (2 cups of flour, ½ cup of cinnamon, and 1 cup of salt) and store them in an airtight container up to 3 days in advance, ensuring freshness. Additionally, you can roll and cut your shapes, then let them air dry, sealing them with wax paper, and they’ll be ready for decoration when you are. Just remember to keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their rustic charm and delightful scent. When it’s time to decorate, simply finish them off with paint, glue, or glitter, and thread the ribbon through the holes—resulting in beautiful ornaments with minimal effort just in time for the holidays!
Storage Tips for Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
Airtight Container: Store fully dried ornaments in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their fragrance and rustic charm for up to 6 months.
Cool, Dry Place: Keep your cinnamon dough ornaments in a cool and dry space, away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can affect their scent and texture.
Avoid Moisture: Do not refrigerate your ornaments, as excess moisture can cause them to soften and lose their shape.
Refreshing Scents: If the aroma begins to fade over time, consider lightly spritzing them with a mixture of water and a few drops of essential oils to revive their delightful fragrance.
Cinnamon Dough Ornaments Recipe FAQs
What type of flour should I use for the dough?
Absolutely! All-purpose flour works best for creating sturdy cinnamon dough ornaments. It provides the perfect structure to ensure your ornaments are firm and retain their shape, especially when hanging on the tree.
How should I store the cinnamon dough ornaments?
Once your ornaments have fully dried, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 6 months. Make sure to place them in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain their texture and delightful scent.
Can I freeze cinnamon dough ornaments?
While it's not common to freeze these ornaments due to their low moisture content, you can freeze any leftover dough before it's shaped. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container. It should stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out.
What do I do if the dough is too sticky?
If your dough feels sticky while kneading, don't worry! Just sprinkle in a little extra flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a workable consistency. Knead gently until it's smooth and easy to roll out—this can make all the difference for cutting shapes!
Can I add scents to the ornaments for added fragrance?
Very! Adding essential oils is a wonderful way to enhance the aroma of your cinnamon dough ornaments. I often recommend using about 10-15 drops of cinnamon or nutmeg essential oil while mixing the wet ingredients. This gives your ornaments a delightful scent that will fill your home with holiday cheer!
Are these ornaments safe for pets?
It’s important to note that while cinnamon itself is generally safe for pets in small amounts, the other ingredients such as salt may not be suitable for them to consume. Therefore, keep these ornaments out of reach of pets to ensure their safety.
Easy DIY How to Make Cinnamon Dough Ornaments for Holiday Fun
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt until clump-free.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Gradually add warm water to the dry mix and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Form the mixture into a dough ball, then knead gently on a floured surface.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll your dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and add details with stamps if desired.
- Create Holes: Poke holes in the top of each shape for hanging using a dowel or pencil.
- Dry Ornaments: Place shaped pieces on wax paper to air-dry or bake at 200°F for 2.5 hours.
- Decorate and Finish: Use paint, glue or glitter to decorate and thread ribbon for hanging.
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