Page 38 - Robeson Living

A Blast from the Past

By Shea Ann DeJarnett,
Extension 4-H Development Agent

Salt dough ornaments can last a long time and are a lot
of fun for children to make. The recipe is simple:

Salt Dough

1 c. salt

1 c. flour
½ c water

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. You may need a little
more or a little less water to reach a playdough con-
sistency. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour.
Time to make the creation; children can roll them out,
mold them, and cut them. This is the fun part, because
Christmas is hands down my favorite holiday.
Each year I put up two trees (because I don’t have it is only your imagination that limits you. They are
room for a third...not that I haven’t tried to figure great for footprints and handprints. One of the neatest
ideas I saw involved rolling out a piece of dough and
it out) and hope that all my ornaments will fit on
them. Each ornament has a story and is special to making a handprint. Once the piece has its impres-
me. Some are store bought, some belonged to my sion, add a hole to slip some yarn, ribbon, or a hanger
grandparents or parents, and some were handmade in. Now it is time to bake it. This is where patience is
by friends or even myself. Each one makes me necessary. Depending on the thickness of the piece, it
could take anywhere from two-three hours to bake at
smile, and for about a month, no matter where I
look in my house, I can’t help but be truly happy 200 degrees in the oven. The goal is to dry it out, so it
surrounded by all the memories. is hard but doesn’t crack.

Growing up in the 80s (yes the 1980s), I remember
the trend for handmade ornaments being dough,
specifically salt dough. Very creative folks could
build, bake, and paint them into something truly
magical. I still have several that were given to
me: Raggedy Ann and Andy, a fireplace with fam-
ily names on the stockings, and even a teddy bear.
I have some I made thanks to an enthusiastic art
teacher (and I must say, my work may not have
improved since being in Mr. Walker’s 6th grade
class). My parents hung each ornament I made, no
matter how unartistic it was. Now that they have
all come back to me, I hang them because my par-
ents cherished them.