DIY Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments: A Festive and Aromatic Craft
Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to embrace the holiday spirit than with a delightful DIY project? These non-edible cinnamon ornaments are not only visually appealing but also fill your home with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon. They’re easy to make, incredibly affordable, and a wonderful activity to do with kids. This guide provides detailed steps and instructions for creating your own festive cinnamon ornaments, perfect for decorating your Christmas tree, adorning gifts, or simply adding a touch of seasonal charm to your home decor.
Why Choose Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments?
While the aroma of cinnamon may tempt you to take a bite, these ornaments are primarily for decoration. Using non-edible ingredients offers several advantages:
* **Long-lasting Aroma:** The combination of cinnamon and other spices creates a potent and long-lasting fragrance that will permeate your home throughout the holiday season.
* **Durability:** When properly dried, these ornaments are quite durable and can be stored and reused for many years to come.
* **Budget-Friendly:** The main ingredients are relatively inexpensive, making this a cost-effective craft project.
* **Safe for Decoration (Not Consumption):** These are designed for decoration, so you avoid any potential issues related to food allergies or pets consuming them. However, keep them out of reach of small children and pets, as they are not meant to be eaten.
* **Customizable:** The shape, size, and decorations are entirely up to you, allowing for a truly personalized touch.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
* **Ground Cinnamon:** This is the star of the show! You’ll need a generous amount, depending on how many ornaments you plan to make. A large container is recommended. Aim for at least 1 cup for a small batch.
* **Applesauce (Unsweetened):** Applesauce acts as a binder, holding the cinnamon together. Unsweetened is preferred to avoid stickiness and potential molding.
* **School Glue (PVA Glue):** This add additional binding and strengthens the ornament to last a long time, especially in humid environments. Elmer’s glue or similar works well.
* **Optional Spices:** Ground cloves, nutmeg, ginger, or allspice can be added to enhance the aroma and create a richer scent profile. A teaspoon or two of each is usually sufficient.
* **Cookie Cutters:** Choose your favorite holiday shapes, such as stars, hearts, snowflakes, trees, and gingerbread men. Variety adds to the fun!
* **Rolling Pin:** For evenly flattening the dough.
* **Parchment Paper:** To prevent the dough from sticking to the work surface.
* **Drinking Straw or Skewer:** To create a hole for hanging.
* **Baking Sheet:** For drying the ornaments.
* **Optional Decorations:** Glitter, beads, small jingle bells, ribbon, paint, icing pens, or other embellishments to personalize your ornaments.
* **Mixing Bowls:** One large bowl for mixing the dough and smaller bowls for holding decorations.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurement.
* **Craft Knife or X-Acto Knife:** For detailed cutting (adult supervision required).
* **Cookie Spatula:** To carefully lift ornaments from the parchment paper to the baking sheet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get crafting! Follow these simple steps to create your own beautiful non-edible cinnamon ornaments:
**Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Dough**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and any optional spices you’re using (cloves, nutmeg, ginger, allspice). Whisk them together to ensure even distribution.
2. **Add Wet Ingredients:** Add the unsweetened applesauce and school glue to the dry ingredients. You’ll want approximately 3/4 cup of applesauce and 1/4 cup of school glue per 1 cup of ground cinnamon. Adjust the amounts as needed to achieve the right consistency.
3. **Mix Thoroughly:** Use a spoon or your hands (it can get messy!) to mix the ingredients until a dough forms. The dough should be stiff but pliable, similar to playdough or modeling clay. If the dough is too dry, add a little more applesauce, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet, add a little more ground cinnamon, one tablespoon at a time.
4. **Knead the Dough (Optional):** For a smoother dough, you can knead it on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes. This helps to develop the gluten (from flour possibly present in the cinnamon) and create a more cohesive mixture.
**Step 2: Roll Out and Cut the Ornaments**
1. **Prepare Your Work Surface:** Place a sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface. This will prevent the dough from sticking. You can also lightly dust the parchment paper with cinnamon or flour, but it’s usually not necessary.
2. **Roll Out the Dough:** Place the cinnamon dough onto the parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch to 1/3 inch. Avoid rolling it too thin, as the ornaments may become brittle and break easily. Conversely, if it is too thick, drying will take a very long time and could result in mold.
3. **Cut Out Shapes:** Use your cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes from the rolled-out dough. Press firmly and evenly to ensure clean cuts.
4. **Create Hanging Holes:** Before transferring the ornaments to the baking sheet, use a drinking straw or skewer to create a small hole near the top of each ornament. This hole will be used to thread ribbon or twine for hanging. Make sure the hole is large enough to accommodate your chosen hanging material.
5. **Remove Excess Dough:** Carefully remove the excess dough around the cut-out shapes. You can re-roll this dough and cut out more ornaments.
6. **Transfer to Baking Sheet:** Use a cookie spatula to carefully lift the ornaments from the parchment paper and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange them so they are not touching each other.
**Step 3: Drying the Ornaments**
There are several methods for drying your cinnamon ornaments:
* **Air Drying:** This is the most time-consuming but also the gentlest method. Place the baking sheet with the ornaments in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Turn the ornaments over every day to ensure even drying. Air drying can take several days to a week, depending on the thickness of the ornaments and the humidity of the environment.
* **Oven Drying (Low Heat):** You can speed up the drying process by using your oven. Preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature (usually around 170-200°F or 75-95°C). Place the baking sheet with the ornaments in the oven and bake for 2-4 hours, or until the ornaments are completely dry and hardened. Turn the ornaments over every hour to ensure even drying. Monitor the ornaments closely to prevent burning.
* **Dehydrator:** A food dehydrator is another excellent option for drying cinnamon ornaments. Place the ornaments on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are not touching. Set the dehydrator to a low temperature (around 135°F or 57°C) and dehydrate for several hours, or until the ornaments are completely dry. Check the ornaments periodically and turn them over if necessary.
**Important Drying Tips:**
* **Prevent Warping:** To prevent warping during drying, place a heavy object (such as a book or another baking sheet) on top of the ornaments. This will help them maintain their shape.
* **Check for Mold:** If you live in a humid climate, keep an eye out for mold growth. If you see any mold, discard the affected ornament. Ensuring proper air circulation and thoroughly drying the ornaments are crucial for preventing mold.
* **Drying Time Varies:** The drying time will vary depending on the drying method, the thickness of the ornaments, and the humidity of the environment. Be patient and allow the ornaments to dry completely before decorating.
**Step 4: Decorating the Ornaments (Optional)**
Once the ornaments are completely dry, it’s time to get creative and decorate them! Here are some decorating ideas:
* **Glitter:** Apply a thin layer of craft glue to the ornaments and sprinkle with glitter. Shake off the excess glitter and let the glue dry completely.
* **Beads and Sequins:** Glue small beads, sequins, or other embellishments to the ornaments to add sparkle and texture.
* **Paint:** Use acrylic paints to paint designs on the ornaments. You can use stencils or freehand designs. Let the paint dry completely before adding any other decorations.
* **Icing Pens:** Use icing pens (the kind used for decorating cookies) to draw intricate designs on the ornaments. This is a great way to add fine details.
* **Ribbon and Twine:** Tie ribbon or twine through the hanging holes to create loops for hanging the ornaments. You can use different colors and textures of ribbon to create a variety of looks.
* **Jingle Bells:** Attach small jingle bells to the ornaments for a festive touch.
* **Cinnamon Sticks:** Glue small pieces of cinnamon stick to the ornament for added flair.
* **Dried Orange Slices:** Attach a thin slice of dehydrated orange (or other citrus) for a lovely festive look.
**Step 5: Adding Finishing Touches**
1. **Seal the Ornaments (Optional):** To protect the decorations and prolong the life of the ornaments, you can seal them with a clear acrylic sealer spray. This will help prevent the decorations from flaking off and protect the ornaments from moisture.
2. **Attach Hanging Loops:** Thread ribbon, twine, or yarn through the hanging holes to create loops for hanging the ornaments on your Christmas tree or elsewhere.
3. **Display and Enjoy:** Your non-edible cinnamon ornaments are now ready to be displayed! Hang them on your Christmas tree, use them to decorate wreaths or garlands, attach them to gifts, or simply display them around your home to enjoy their festive aroma and charm.
Tips and Troubleshooting
* **Dough Consistency:** Getting the right dough consistency is crucial. If the dough is too dry, it will crack easily. If it’s too wet, it will be sticky and difficult to work with. Adjust the amounts of applesauce and cinnamon as needed to achieve a stiff but pliable dough.
* **Preventing Cracking:** To prevent cracking during drying, ensure that the ornaments are not rolled out too thin and that they are dried evenly. You can also add a small amount of cornstarch to the dough to help prevent cracking.
* **Mold Prevention:** To prevent mold growth, ensure that the ornaments are thoroughly dried and stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in humid environments.
* **Aroma Enhancement:** To enhance the aroma of the ornaments, you can add a few drops of essential oils, such as cinnamon bark oil, clove oil, or orange oil, to the dough.
* **Safe Storage:** Store the ornaments in an airtight container or plastic bag to protect them from dust and moisture when not in use.
* **Don’t Eat Them!** Despite the appealing smell, these are not meant for consumption.
Variations and Creative Ideas
* **Spice Blends:** Experiment with different spice blends to create unique scent profiles. Try combining cinnamon with cardamom, star anise, or fennel seeds.
* **Stenciled Designs:** Use stencils to create intricate designs on the ornaments with paint, glitter, or icing pens.
* **Textured Ornaments:** Add texture to the ornaments by pressing small objects, such as buttons, lace, or leaves, into the dough before cutting out the shapes.
* **Personalized Ornaments:** Write names or initials on the ornaments with icing pens or paint to create personalized gifts.
* **Cinnamon Garland:** String the cinnamon ornaments together to create a festive garland for your mantel or Christmas tree.
* **Cinnamon Wreath:** Attach the cinnamon ornaments to a wreath form to create a beautiful and fragrant Christmas wreath.
Safety Precautions
* **Adult Supervision:** Adult supervision is required when using sharp tools, such as craft knives or X-Acto knives.
* **Non-Edible:** Emphasize that these ornaments are not edible and should not be consumed.
* **Allergy Awareness:** Be aware of any allergies that family members or friends may have to cinnamon or other spices.
* **Keep Out of Reach of Children and Pets:** Store the ornaments out of reach of small children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Conclusion
Creating your own non-edible cinnamon ornaments is a fun and rewarding way to add a personal touch to your holiday decorations. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can create beautiful and fragrant ornaments that will bring the warmth and joy of the season into your home. So gather your supplies, invite your friends and family, and get ready to embark on a delightful DIY adventure! These handmade treasures are sure to become cherished keepsakes for years to come. Enjoy the process and the lovely aroma that fills your home!