{"id":4562,"date":"2022-12-16T01:40:29","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T02:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/?p=4562"},"modified":"2025-04-16T14:38:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T14:38:13","slug":"the-easiest-diy-santa-ornaments-using-handprints-air-dry-clay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/16\/the-easiest-diy-santa-ornaments-using-handprints-air-dry-clay\/","title":{"rendered":"The Easiest DIY Santa Ornaments Using Handprints &amp; Air-Dry Clay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>These festive Santa ornaments will make a <a rel=\"\">Christmas<\/a> keepsake to enjoy for years to come!&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11020165 skip-lazy lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"santa handprint ornament hanging on the tree \" width=\"1024\" height=\"555\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/santa-handprint-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\">Here&rsquo;s a special ornament idea to make this season!<\/h2>\n<p>Christmas <a rel=\"\">crafts<\/a> are my favorite, especially ornaments. Years ago when my kids were little, I made these festive Santa ornaments with them. Unpacking all the handmade sentimental ornaments is such a fun part of holiday decorating.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021216 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"holding finished ornaments\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/holding-finished-ornaments-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p>I do miss having little ones, so thank goodness I can now include my young nephews in crafty fun things like this! They are the perfect ages to create hand-print ornaments, and we had a blast doing this project with them as a holiday activity.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021358 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"santa ornaments drying on counter\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/santa-ornaments-drying-on-counter-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Air-dry clay<\/a> is easy and convenient for making homemade ornaments!<\/h2>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">The Crayola brand clay<\/a> I am using is durable and ready to mold and use. There is no need to bake afterward as it dries hard in about 12-24 hours. Our original ornaments are now almost eleven years old, so I can vouch that ornaments can stand the test of time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"knockout outline default-blue\">\n<p><strong>Hip Tip:<\/strong> My teammate Sara recently shared her <a rel=\"\">recipe for making homemade salt dough ornaments<\/a>. You could go that route instead if you&rsquo;d like to make your own dough!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021222 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"air dry clay ornament painted white\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/air-dry-clay-ornament-painted-white-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\">Air-dry clay is very versatile for other ornament shapes!<\/h2>\n<p>Here is an example on my tree this year of a fun Christmas ornament I made in 2011 using air-dry clay, a cookie cutter, and stamps. I painted the whole ornament white and I love that it&rsquo;s still around 11 years later! You can really get creative and use any shape or color you&rsquo;d like.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021196 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"air dry clay ornaments supplies\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/air-dry-clay-ornaments-supplies-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11020192 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"cutting away access dough to make handprint ornaments\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/cutting-away-access-dough-to-make-handprint-ornaments-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11020193 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"making a hole using a straw to hand ornament\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/making-a-hole-using-a-straw-to-hand-ornament-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021205 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"painting ornament white paint\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/painting-ornament-white-paint-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021203 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"painting a santa ornament with craft paint\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/painting-a-santa-ornament-with-craft-paint-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021239 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"painting a Santa Ornament face\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/painting-a-Santa-Ornament-face-1-1.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"recipe recipe-shortcode\">\n<div class=\"recipe-title\">\n<h2>Santa Christmas Ornaments <\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"button button-transparent print-recipe\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-print\"><\/i>Print<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-top small\">\n<h4 class=\"section-header\">Supplies Needed<\/h4>\n<div class=\"ingredients-list background\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP4RN\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tair dry clay \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP7F5\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tparchment paper or plastic wrap\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP7HW\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trolling pin \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bQa7W\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhite acrylic paint \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttaupe acrylic paint \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP7HK\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tred acrylic paint \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP7HE\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tblack acrylic paint \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bP7H7\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tribbon or yarn to hang ornament \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-top margin-bottom\">\n<h4 class=\"section-header\">Directions<\/h4>\n<div class=\"directions background\">\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<p>On a piece of parchment paper or plastic, roll out a ball of clay to about 1\/4 inch thick.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Place the child&#8217;s hand onto the clay to make an imprint, making sure the fingers are spread a little apart.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Use a knife or tool to cut around the edges of the handprint. Use a straw to make a hole at the bottom of the hand so you can hang it. Let it air dry completely.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Once the clay is dry, paint the details around the fingers white (for Santa&#8217;s beard.) Then go back and paint on the Santa fat and hat details using the other paint colors.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-x\">\n<div class=\"cell small-12 large-12\">\n<p><span class=\"step\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lastly, tie a piece of ribbon to hang the ornament from the tree. Enjoy for many years to come!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021208 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"3 finished santa ornaments\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/3-santa-ornaments-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"knockout outline default-blue\">\n<blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\"><strong>Tips for making Santa ornaments:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li>Be sure to cover your workspace with plastic or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">parchment paper<\/a> before rolling out the clay. It will stick to the table or surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Baking this specific <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Crayola air-dry clay<\/a> in the oven is not recommended. It&rsquo;s best to leave time for drying if using this product.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>You can also make other various-shaped Christmas ornaments using <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">cookie cutters<\/a>. Consider using stamps, or tree branches to press shapes and patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11021242 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"holding ornament in front of the tree\" width=\"1009\" height=\"1513\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/holding-ornament-in-fron-of-the-tree-.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"intro lead\">How sweet and cute are these Santas?<\/h2>\n<p>I sure love how this project turns out! It&rsquo;s a fun craft idea to complete with the kiddos in your life. I&rsquo;ll be giving these back to my nephews after painting and I hope they&rsquo;ll love them for many years to come!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"intro lead\"><a rel=\"\">Make these applesauce cinnamon homemade ornaments next!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These festive Santa ornaments will make a Christmas keepsake to enjoy for years to come!&nbsp; Here&rsquo;s a special ornament idea &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/16\/the-easiest-diy-santa-ornaments-using-handprints-air-dry-clay\/\" class=\"more-link\"><span class=\"more-button\">Continue Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The Easiest DIY Santa Ornaments Using Handprints &amp; Air-Dry Clay<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4571,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crafts-diy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4562"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4662,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4562\/revisions\/4662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.smartdcamp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}