How to Make Baking Soda Winter Ornaments (2025 DIY Guide)

Is there anything more magical than crafting your own holiday ornaments on a chilly winter day? ✨ I still remember the first time I made baking soda winter ornaments—the fizzing dough, the festive shapes, and that fresh, wintry vibe in the air. Whether you’re decorating your tree, wrapping gifts, or just enjoying some seasonal creativity, this homemade ornament recipe is a game-changer. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step—from mixing the perfect dough to painting and hanging your frosty creations. And trust me, it’s way more fun (and less messy) than you might expect!

Ingredients & Supplies Checklist for Baking Soda Winter Ornaments

Alright, before you dive into the magic of making DIY Christmas crafts, let’s talk supplies. Nothing throws off a fun afternoon like realizing halfway through that you forgot the cookie cutters or ran outta corn syrup—yep, been there, done that.

🛒 Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup baking soda – This is your base. Super cheap and surprisingly perfect for crafting.
• 1/2 cup white vinegar – Get ready for that fizz! It’s safe, kid-friendly, and makes the dough come alive.
• 1/4 cup corn syrup – This sweet stuff helps bind the dough. Without it, things can get crumbly fast.
• Mixing bowl – Bigger is better. You don’t want overflow when the fizz hits.
• Cookie sheet – Line it with parchment or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
• Winter-themed cookie cutters – Snowflakes, stars, trees, mittens. Go nuts!
• Paint + brushes – Acrylic or watercolor both work. Add glitter glue for that handmade holiday decor vibe.
• Rolling pin (optional) – Makes things easier, especially with kids.
• Straw or skewer (for hanging holes)

✨ Tips from My Craft Table:

• Dip the cutters in baking soda before cutting—it stops the dough from sticking.
• Want a more polished finish? Go with silicone mats. I started using them last year and haven’t looked back.
• If you’re doing this with kids, set everything up first. I learned the hard way that a missing brush can lead to meltdowns. 😂

What I love about this project is how it ticks all the boxes: it’s a budget-friendly holiday craft, it’s made with safe ingredients (hello, eco-friendly ornaments), and it looks super professional when done. Seriously, folks think I bought these from a boutique.

And here’s a little secret: these also make amazing gift tags. Just loop some twine through and BAM—your present wrapping game is next level.

Coming up next, I’ll walk you through the dough-making process. Spoiler: it fizzes, it bubbles, and it’s way more fun than it should be. 😄

Making the Dough (Without a Mess)

Okay, let’s talk dough. If you’ve ever mixed baking soda and vinegar before, you know what’s coming. That fizz? It’s not just fun—it’s straight-up science magic, and honestly, one of the best parts of this safe kids craft. But let’s not turn the kitchen into a volcano zone, yeah?

🫧 The Fizz Is Real

Start by tossing 1 cup of baking soda into your mixing bowl. Then slowly (I’m serious—slooooowly) pour in 1/2 cup of white vinegar. The reaction starts immediately, and if you dump too fast? Foamy chaos. Ask me how I know. 😅

Let it bubble for a bit—kids love this part. Once it calms down, stir in 1/4 cup of corn syrup. Now mix everything up with a spoon… or your hands if you don’t mind getting gooey. That’s your base for this fizzy dough recipe.

🔄 Texture Tweaks

Now, here’s where the dough might mess with you:

• Too sticky? Add a sprinkle of baking soda.
• Too crumbly? Just a tiny splash more vinegar.

What you want is a soft, moldable texture—kinda like playdough but smoother. I’ve made this so many times and still adjust depending on the humidity. It’s not rocket science, but it’s definitely a feel-it-out thing.

💡 Mom-Tested Tips

• Use a deep mixing bowl to avoid overflow—trust me, shallow bowls are a trap.
• If you’re working with younger kids, do the vinegar part yourself. It’s fun, but one heavy pour and you’re mopping the floor.
• Want to turn this into a full non-toxic ornament making party? Double or triple the recipe—it scales well!

Honestly, this step alone makes the whole thing worth it. There’s something so satisfying about seeing the dough come together, especially knowing it’s totally safe, affordable, and fun for every age.

Coming up next: shaping your ornaments into stars, trees, and more with cookie cutters. This is where the magic starts to take form. 🎄

Shaping the Ornaments with Cookie Cutters

This is the part where things get seriously festive. After all the fizzing and mixing, it’s finally time to shape those ornaments—and lemme tell you, nothing screams “holiday vibes” like pressing snowflake cookie cutters into soft white dough. 😍

🧊 Prep Your Station

First things first: clean surface, parchment paper, rolling pin ready to go. Or, if you’re like me and too lazy to dig out the rolling pin, your hands work just fine. Press the dough down until it’s about ½ inch thick. Any thinner and these babies might break after drying.

🧤 Let’s Cut Some Holiday Magic

I like to dust my cutters in a bit of baking soda first. It’s a neat trick that keeps them from sticking. I’ve learned this the hard way—one year I ruined a mitten ornament trying to yank it out. Don’t be me.

Here are some fun Christmas cookie cutter crafts ideas:

• Snowflakes (my favorite—always look fancy!)
• Stars (classic and easy for kids)
• Trees (tip: press extra hard on the trunk so it doesn’t crack later)
• Mittens or bells (adorable, especially with glitter paint later on)

Once you cut, lift carefully with a spatula or your hand and place on a lined cookie sheet. If it stretches a little, no big deal. It adds charm. 😉

🎄 A Few Real-Life Lessons:

• If you’re making a big batch, keep the extra dough covered or it dries out fast.
• Got littles helping? Give them their own section. Otherwise, they will crowd your perfect snowflake.
• Want super crisp edges? Chill the dough for 10 minutes before cutting.

This step feels like decorating cookies—but without the sugar crash. And the best part? These easy winter DIY ornaments last for years if you store them right.

Next up: poking that all-important hole so you can hang these beauties on your tree or gift bag.

Don’t Forget the Hanging Holes

Okay, real talk—I’ve forgotten to poke the hanging holes so many times. It’s always that moment where I’m staring at 20 adorable stars and snowflakes and realize… yep, no way to hang ’em. So this step? Crucial. Especially if you’re planning to use them as Christmas tree decorations or gift toppers.

📌 How to Do It Right

Once your shapes are cut and placed neatly on your baking sheet, grab a straw (standard size is perfect). You want to punch a hole near the top—not too close to the edge or it’ll crack when you try to thread ribbon through later. Aim for about a finger’s width down.

If you’re fresh outta straws, a skewer, chopstick, or even a pen cap can work. Just twist gently to widen the hole without distorting the shape.

🙈 Things I’ve Learned the Hard Way:

• Don’t poke the hole after they’ve dried. You will break it. Ask my poor snowman from 2022. 🫠
• If you’re oven-drying later, double-check the holes before they go in. Sometimes they shrink slightly.
• Wipe any dough that builds up inside the straw between uses—it starts sticking after 4-5 pokes.

🎨 Tip for Creative Types:

Thinking of threading twine or ribbon? Go a little bigger on the hole. Want to use hooks or hangers? Smaller works fine. This small detail makes your handmade ornament ideas way more functional.

It’s a tiny step, but honestly, it separates the “oh, that’s cute” ornaments from the “where’d you buy those?!” level ones. A simple trick that makes a big difference in holiday crafting tips circles.

Alright, ready to let them dry and harden into lasting memories? Let’s move on.

Drying – Air vs Oven

Once your ornaments are shaped and ready, it’s time for the part that tests your patience—drying. Now, I’ve tried both air dry DIY crafts and the oven shortcut, and let me tell ya: each has its place, but you’ve gotta know the quirks.

☁️ Air Dry Method

If you’ve got time, this is your best bet. Lay the ornaments on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and leave them out at room temp. 24 to 48 hours is the sweet spot—depending on thickness and humidity. Flip ’em halfway through to keep both sides smooth.

What I like about this method? It’s the safest route. Less cracking, less warping, and perfect for projects with kids. Plus, your kitchen stays cool, which is a win when you’re multitasking holiday meals.

🔥 Oven Dry Method (Quick, But Risky)

If you’re impatient like I used to be (okay, still am sometimes), pop them in the oven at 175°F / 80°C for 1 to 2 hours. But—and this is a big but—watch them like a hawk. Once, I left a batch in too long while binging a holiday movie and they split right down the middle. Total heartbreak.

Here’s how to avoid a tragedy:

• Keep the oven low and consistent.
• Check every 30 minutes.
• Let them cool in the oven with the door slightly open—reduces the shock.

This method is great when you need oven-dry ornaments fast for a classroom project or last-minute gift idea.

👩‍🏫 A Few Crafty Tips

• Don’t crowd the tray—airflow matters.
• Humidity in your house? Go with oven drying.
• Drying them on a cooling rack (yes, like cookies!) helps air dry both sides more evenly.

This step is where your ornaments go from soft dough to actual keepsakes. Whether you go slow and steady or fast and fiery, make sure they’re fully dry before painting. Trust me—trying to paint damp ornaments is a soggy disaster I don’t wish on anyone.

Next up: the fun part—decorating your creations with paint, glitter, and maybe a little magic.

Painting and Decorating Tips

Here comes the part that makes your ornaments pop—painting and decorating! Whether you’re going for classy winter whites or a full-on glitter explosion, this is where your creativity takes the reins. And let’s be honest… it’s so satisfying to watch these go from plain white shapes to true holiday showstoppers.

🎨 Choose the Right Paint

For starters, stick with acrylic paint. It sticks beautifully to the dried dough and gives that bold, solid color. Watercolor works too, but it’s more delicate—great if you’re after a soft, frosty look.

I’ve also used metallic paint (hello, silver snowflakes) and glitter glue for sparkle. Just know glitter glue takes forever to dry. If you’re planning these for a school project or party, give it extra time.

Pro tip: Paint the front, let it dry completely, then flip to do the back. You’ll get a more polished finish.

✏️ Simple Decorating Ideas

Some of my go-to DIY Christmas ornament painting styles:

• ❄️ White base with silver accents (classy & frosty)
• 🎄 Green trees with red glitter dots (festive AF)
• 🌟 Solid color + snowflake stencil (easy & clean)

For a more rustic vibe, I’ll sometimes sponge the edges with brown or gold. Adds a vintage-y charm that pairs perfectly with burlap twine.

🙈 Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

• Rushing the dry time. The paint will peel or smudge.
• Using markers—they bleed and fade.
• Going too heavy with paint = soggy ornament. Thin layers win.

If you’re crafting with kids, give them paint pens or Q-tips—it gives them more control. My niece went full Jackson Pollock last year and honestly? Her chaotic rainbow stars were the highlight of our tree. 😂

And don’t forget to seal them if you want ‘em to last! A quick spray of clear acrylic sealer does wonders.

Next up, I’ll show you the best ways to hang and gift your little masterpieces. 🎁

Displaying and Gifting Your Ornaments

You’ve mixed, shaped, dried, and painted—now it’s time to show off those beautiful handmade holiday decor pieces! This is where your ornaments really shine (literally, if you went heavy on the glitter like I do).

🌲 Hang ‘Em Up With Style

Thread a bit of twine, ribbon, or yarn through the hole you poked earlier. I love using rustic jute twine for that farmhouse look, but shiny satin ribbon makes them pop on the tree. Totally depends on your vibe.

Where to hang them:

• Christmas tree branches (classic!)
• Along a garland over your mantle
• Tied to stair rails or windows for a wintery window display
• Even on doorknobs—super cute!

🎁 Turn Them Into Christmas Gift Toppers

These are perfect for upgrading your wrapping game. Loop them onto ribbon around gift boxes and boom—your presents now have a built-in keepsake. My go-to is kraft paper wrapping with a white snowflake ornament tied on top. So Pinterest-worthy it hurts. 😍

They also make great:

• Teacher gifts
• Party favors
• Secret Santa add-ons

🗃️ Storage Tips

Want to reuse them next year? Wrap each in tissue and keep them in a sturdy box. I made that mistake once—tossed ‘em in a bag and ended up with a crumbled snowflake graveyard.

And there you have it—eco-friendly Christmas ideas that double as art, gifts, and family fun. Honestly, these little guys become traditions. My niece now insists we make new ones every December, and I’m not complaining.

There’s something special about crafting with your own hands—especially when the results are this pretty! Baking soda winter ornaments are simple, budget-friendly, and oh-so festive. Whether you’re making them solo, with kids, or at a holiday party, the memories are just as lovely as the ornaments themselves. Now that you know how to make them, why not pin this tutorial and share it with your crafty friends on Pinterest?