Festive family fun: making christmas decorations with cinnamon-scented salt dough

The holiday season brings with it a unique opportunity for families to come together and create lasting memories. One of the most charming and sensory-rich traditions is crafting homemade decorations that fill your home with both beauty and the nostalgic scent of Christmas. This year, why not try making cinnamon-scented salt dough ornaments – a perfect activity that combines creativity, accessibility, and that wonderful festive aroma?

The magic of homemade christmas ornaments

There's something special about unpacking handcrafted decorations each December – they carry stories and memories that commercial ornaments simply cannot match. VICTA, an organization dedicated to supporting visually impaired children and their families, recognizes that creative activities like making salt dough decorations can be wonderfully inclusive for children of all abilities. These crafts serve as more than just decorative items; they become treasured keepsakes that families revisit year after year, each ornament holding its own unique story.

Creating lasting memories through family crafting

Family crafting sessions create bonds that transcend the holiday season. When children and parents work together on projects like cinnamon salt dough decorations, they engage in conversation, share ideas, and collaborate in ways that might not happen during everyday routines. For families with visually impaired children, these crafting sessions offer sensory experiences that go beyond the visual – the feel of the dough, the distinctive aroma of cinnamon, and even the possibility of adding braille elements using cloves make this an exceptionally inclusive activity. VICTA's parent network often shares how such sensory crafts become cherished family traditions.

Why salt dough decorations stand the test of time

Unlike paper decorations that may deteriorate, or electronic ornaments that eventually fail, salt dough creations can last for decades when properly made and preserved. The information hub 'VI know!' provided by VICTA explains how these robust ornaments can be adapted with accessibility in mind. The tactile nature of salt dough makes it an ideal medium for sensory crafts, allowing visually impaired children to fully participate in holiday traditions. With proper sealing, these holiday ornaments become family heirlooms, taken out each year to adorn the Christmas tree and remind everyone of festive times spent together.

Getting started: the perfect salt dough recipe

Creating your cinnamon-scented salt dough is surprisingly simple and requires just a few kitchen staples. The recipe offers a wonderful balance between crafting and baking, making it accessible for children of different ages and abilities. The education resources from VICTA suggest that this kind of activity builds fine motor skills and provides practical learning opportunities for visually impaired children in a fun, festive context.

Essential ingredients for your cinnamon-scented mixture

To begin your Christmas craft adventure, gather the following ingredients for your cinnamon salt dough: one cup of flour, half a cup of salt, six tablespoons of cinnamon (approximately one glass jar), and three-quarters cup of warm water. This combination creates a wonderfully aromatic dough that will fill your home with the scent of the holidays while you work. The substantial amount of cinnamon not only provides that characteristic festive fragrance but also gives the dough a warm, natural brown color that resembles gingerbread – perfect for holiday ornaments even without additional decoration.

Mixing and preparing your dough for the best results

Begin by combining the dry ingredients – flour, salt, and cinnamon – in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add the warm water while stirring continuously until the mixture begins to form a dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it thoroughly until smooth and pliable. For optimal texture, chill the dough for approximately thirty minutes before working with it. This resting period allows the ingredients to fully integrate and makes the dough easier to roll and cut. Family resources from VICTA suggest that this preparation phase can be a great opportunity for children with visual impairments to develop tactile discrimination skills through feeling the changing texture of the dough.

Crafting your festive decorations

With your dough prepared, it's time to bring your creative vision to life. The versatility of salt dough means your Christmas decorations can range from simple to elaborate, depending on your family's preferences and abilities. This stage offers wonderful opportunities for inclusive activities where everyone can participate regardless of visual acuity.

Simple shapes and designs for beginners

For families new to salt dough crafting, start with basic cookie cutters to create classic shapes like stars, trees, or circles. Preheat your oven to 120 degrees Celsius while rolling the dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. After cutting your shapes, use a straw or skewer to create a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging. For families connected with VICTA who have visually impaired children, consider adding braille elements using cloves pressed into the dough. This thoughtful adaptation transforms a standard Christmas craft into an accessible, meaningful activity where VI support becomes naturally integrated into family fun.

Advanced techniques for stunning ornaments

As your confidence grows, you might want to explore more complex designs. Try making handprint ornaments as keepsakes, or create three-dimensional figures by shaping the dough by hand. You can press textured items like lace, leaves, or patterned rolling pins into the dough to create intricate impressions. Some crafters even create miniature wreaths by twisting ropes of dough together. For families working with VICTA's information hub, these textured ornaments offer excellent sensory experiences for visually impaired children, allowing them to explore shapes and patterns through touch. Bake your creations in the preheated oven for approximately two hours, or until they're completely hardened.

Finishing touches and display ideas

Once your ornaments have cooled completely after baking, it's time to add those special finishing details that will make them truly yours. This final creative phase can be tailored to suit different abilities and preferences, making it perfect for an inclusive family activity.

Painting and sealing your handmade treasures

You have several options for decorating your cinnamon salt dough ornaments. They can be left plain to showcase their natural warm brown color and cinnamon aroma, or you can paint them using acrylic paints for vibrant designs. Metallic paints can add a festive sparkle, while white paint can create a frosted effect. For families with visually impaired children, VICTA recommends considering high-contrast colors or adding different textures with items like glitter or textured paint. To preserve your ornaments for years to come, seal them with a coat of clear varnish or mod podge once the paint is completely dry. This protective layer helps prevent moisture damage and keeps the cinnamon scent locked in longer.

Creative ways to showcase your cinnamon-scented creations

Your finished ornaments deserve to be displayed prominently. The most traditional approach is hanging them on your Christmas tree with colorful ribbons or twine. However, you can also create a festive garland by stringing multiple ornaments together, or arrange them in a decorative bowl as a scented centerpiece. Some families even use them as gift toppers or attach them to Christmas cards for an extra special touch. Organizations like VICTA that focus on accessibility suggest creating a tactile display area where visually impaired children can easily reach and explore the ornaments. These handcrafted treasures make thoughtful gifts for grandparents or teachers, especially when accompanied by the story of their creation and the special adaptations that made them inclusive for all family members.