DIY Christmas Garland Stars
Salt Dough DIY Christmas Garland
This is my first post about our Christmas Tree. Our upstairs tree is 9 feet and this year I chose to do include red for the first time ever. That means the tree will need a mountain of new ornaments. As always budget restraints curb my shopping to include some refurbishing and DIY projects.
Twine is very farmhouse style and rustic, this particular tree is not all sparkle and glitz but it is Christmas so I added glitter to the stars. It is subtle but you can see it sparkling just a little bit.
To make this DIY Christmas garland you will need a single batch of salt dough, large and small star cookies cutters, florist wire or ornament hangers, burlap string, spray paint (mine is white) and corresponding glitter.
Christmas Garland Salt Dough Recipe
1 cup salt
2 cup flour
1 cup warm water
Mix the salt and flour very well. Once blended make a well in the middle and add your water. Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
I used the bread hook of my Kitchenaid mixer and kneaded the dough for five minutes.
Alternatively, sprinkle flour onto the counter and knead the dough until smooth. The longer you knead the smoother the dough will be.
Like all dough, if you find it too dry add an extra tablespoon of water, too sticky sprinkle a little flour on top and knead it into the dough.
Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. I used my fondant roller and guides, but you can use a regular rolling pin as long as the thickness is uniform.
Cut out all the stars you can, re-roll and keep cutting. I used both large and small star cookie cutters. I cut 50 large stars then used up the rest of the dough in small stars (163 small). Don’t let the number of stars bother you, it is a single batch of salt dough, so it’s not a massive amount of work.
Insert a wire into the top of each star. Don’t form the wires into circles yet, wait until the dough is baked and hard. Doing it now you may tear the dough.
Place the stars on parchment paper and bake at 200 F. Depending on the size of your star cutouts bake about 45 min to an hour. If your stars start turning golden take them out right away.
After the stars are cool to the touch and hardened fold your wires into circles.
Lay the salt dough stars out.
Paint with spray paint.
Sprinkle with glitter while the paint is still wet.
Let dry a couple of hours.
Turn the stars over and repeat on the other side.
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Assemble DIY Christmas Garland
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Cut 30 feet of twine, start at the top of your tree and wind the twine around the tree exactly as you would garland. Thread your stars onto the twine as you go around the tree, placing spaces between each star. You can use whatever pattern you like I did one large and three small stars.
Continue around the tree until done.
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Step back and adjust your placement as you like.
In order to create and post in time for Christmas, I am making this garland in October, I have so much to finish right now. I can see Christmas holidays on the horizon though.
This time of year is so hectic, but don’t you love it!
PIN ME TO MAKE LATER
Other DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments
Here are some other DIY Christmas ornament ideas for the Christmas tree that you may like. DIY ornaments are fun to make and I have a tradition where guests can choose one of the ornaments to take home with them.
DIY Christmas Snowman Star Ornament
Farmhouse DIY Christmas Ornament Using Dollar Store Supplies
Want to make this? Pin it for Later.
Great idea. I have been making bread dough ornaments for years and found an easy way to make the hangers. I cut paperclips in half and insert them before baking…instant loop. You can even get colored ones and I have used gold and copper ones which look really nice.
That’s great. Dough ornaments are great on a tree because of the price. I am silly and always need the tallest tree I can fit in the room and it takes up so many ornaments to decorate it properly.
I love making my own dough for ornaments. I use a baking soda dough, which is similar to this. I’ve never tried to make a garland though. Will have to try it.
Hi Erlene I hope you do make them. You can put your own spin on it with different shapes or add beads etc.
Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting. Leanna
Hi there…I was just thinking of revamping our tree this year and this looks great. But doesn’t the weight of the stars make them slide on the twine?
Thanks, Linda
Hi Linda: They aren’t really heavy actually. You will notice I put wires on the top of them, using ornament hooks. If any wanted to slide around I just pinched the wires.
Hope that makes sense. Any other questions just ask. I hope you make one.
Hi. ..Thanks for the quick reply! I do have a couple more questions: do you bake them with the wire pieces in them? How do the ornament hooks fit in?
Thanks! !
Hi Linda. Yes I punctured the stars with the wires, but did not bend the wires until the stars were baked and therefore hardened. Once baked and hardened I just wrapped the ornament hook wires into small little circles.
Glad to clarify. Leanna
Ok, last question. ..didn’t you have to bend the wire on each unbaked star so it would lie flat on the cookie sheet? I’m wondering how many cookie sheets it took to bake with all these wires hanging out and how you arranged them. Sorry, but I’m not too crafty so really need it spelled out. Thanks!
Hi Linda: I used two cookie sheets and swapped them out. remember my stars were tiny so alot fit on the pan. I didn’t have any issues with the wire and I used ornament hooks and they are pretty soft. As long as the star has a hole all the way through the wire can be arranged after the star is baked and solid.
I hope I have helped you.
Your garland is gorgeous!! I love it!! I’m pinning this, and maybe, just maybe, the kids and I can do this over Thanksgiving weekend. 🙂
Thanks for sharing with us at #MMBH.
XOXO
I hope you do make it. My stars were quite small so all those little stars were done with one batch of salt dough. The most time consuming part is all the drying. Thank you for hosting the party. i will come link up again. Leanna
Your garland looks wonderful!
Thank you Christine: It helped cut down on the cost of new ornaments for my Christmas tree. I need to think of another DIY ornament, but haven’t done it yet.
Thank you for commenting. Leanna
Hi! Your post just reminded me of making xmas decor for my daughters kindergarden group, over 15 years ago. I still have some and they are in excellent condition. If you store them properly, you will have them for years ( salt always attracts humidity, so I keep them in a plastic with a lid).
Oh my that’s a great tip. I will for sure do that.
It’s funny to note, several ladies wrote me back about doing this with children. I had not thought of that initially, I created the garland out of a need to have an inexpensive ornament for a very large tree.
Thank you for commenting, and for the storage tip. Leanna
I love twine for a rustic look too! This garland is so cute and festive! I haven’t used salt dough much, but have been wanting to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rachael: I really went so far as thinking of barbed wire for a different garland. This is a whole lot safer and not so over the top rustic.
Thank you for commenting. It is appreciated. Leanna
Your star garland is gorgeous. Your other ornaments are beautiful too. Thank you for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
I really enjoy the Snickerdoodle link party. I love reading all the posts in the mornings. I told hubs just yesterday when he said wow you work online alot more then I thought you’d have to. I said yup its rough checking out all these craft posts and chatting with women. He grinned at me lol.
This is so funny that you posted this. I was just thinking of doing something very similar to this a couple of days ago. This is beautiful!
Hi Melony: I hope you make them. I had some other ideas, like reindeer, with cranberries between. Please send me a link if you do post something. I would love to see it and comment.
Leanna
Leanna how did you get all of this done? I thought you were over there making chili! You left me in the dust girl. I am in love with the stars. I remember a time when I had time to make dough ornaments. My goal next year with my new little grandson thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Debbie; Thank you very much for the compliment. I make chili once a week when Herman is home. I have been so hyper busy when he is away its been toast and peanut butter for dinner lol. I look forward to trying another one this week. I should see if I can find the ingredients for yours. Leanna
So cute and I love the reindeer! Blessings, Cecilia
Hi Cecilia: I looked everywhere for those reindeer. I actually wanted 8 of them but had to settle on the four the store had in stock. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. Leanna
I love your garland Leanna – I am going to try and make these at the weekend with the girls. I am delighted you are going to be my cohost in December 🙂
Hi Amber: I am really excited about the cohosting. Christmas came early. This garland is fun and the hardest part is waiting for things to bake and dry. Otherwise its really simple to put together.
Leanna
Salt dough is amazing! You could add food coloring if your want your garland to match a color theme being used. LOVE this idea!!!
Hi Melissa. If you do decide to make one, you can change it up with the colour or by using different shapes. I lined up all my cookie cutters before deciding on stars.
Thank you for commenting. Its always really great to get comments. Leanna
Leanne these are so pretty!! I haven’t made anything like this since I was in Girl Scouts…a definite must do project for this Christmas!! Thank you for sharing at TaDa Thursday!!
Hi Susanne: I so like the link parties, they have helped me meet so many amazing women. It really is a party and all the coffee I can pour.
I laid out all my different cookie cutters before deciding on stars, but you could do it in any shape, little reindeer was my second idea.
Thanks for commenting, Talk soon Leanna
That is so pretty! I was hoping to replace my beaded garland this year and my six year daughter can help to make this.
Hi Kerry: I hope you do make it with her. This year I am on the lookout for large bead to use as garlands on my mantel. I swear items wear out sitting in storage lol.
Thank you for commenting. Leanna
I am loving this garland. Salt dough is a great way to make super cute Christmas decor. Hope you join us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week http://thinking-outside-the-pot.com/?p=3142
Thanks you. Certainly I have the link party on my go to list. Leanna
Leanna your garland is so pretty! It has just the right about of sparkle. Salt dough is something I haven’t tried yet. I keep telling myself I need to try. I love the twine that you used to string your garland, gives it a more rustic style.
Hi Linda: Thank you for saying the garland seemed rustic. I was trying to make the tree suitable for the hub’s man cave. I toned down the glitter on this tree as well. I am glad to receive your feedback. Leanna
Your star garland is lovely! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Hi Janet. Thank you for the comment. I smiled when I read your salutation. Blessings to you as well. Leanna
Leanna, I’ve not thought of salt dough for years. My Mom made it when we were kids. That is a lot of stars!! They will look great on the tree. Sylvia D.
Thank you Sylvia. Having all those stars reduced the number of Christmas ornaments I need to decorate the tree. I know most of us adore Christmas ornaments, but the prices are a bit daunting sometimes. Are you busy with your Christmas decor yet?
The salt dough star garland turned out so cute! It’s been a long time since I played with salt dough, but it sure is fun! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Hi Jann: I enjoy link parties very much. I have a small blog and it helps me generate readers AND I get lots of inspiration and chit chat from the other bloggers. Thank you for the thumbs up. Leanna
Wow! That is a lot of salt dough ornaments. They look fabulous on your tree!
Hi Kim: Thank you for the compliment, There are about 200 of them because the tiny stars are small. I was concerned about the weight of the salt dough on the tree so I rolled them thin. I got all those stars from one batch of dough,
Thank you for commenting. I appreciate the kind feedback. Leanna
I love your garland. I love the rustic quality of the salt dough. It has been years since I have made any salt dough but I think you have revived the craft.
These are very simple stars, not like the fancy figurine ones little children want you to paint up. Please email me if you make one, I would love to see it. Leanna
This is really awesome I would have never thought of putting those salt dough ornaments on garland.
Hi Pamela. I was a little bit concerned about the weight of the salt dough, but it worked well. It also helped fill the large tree. Thanks for commenting, As you know the feedback is wonderful! Leanna
Homemade is always the best made and these turned out beautifully. Do you have more than one tree Leanna? That must be so much fun. We always make garlands with pop corn but this looks so much prettier. I think we’ll give it a try this year 😉
Hi Michelle: Yes I have had at least two trees since I got my own home ( no they weren’t stone trees, bronze age maybe lol)
I have always had an all white tree for myself, the boys were not impressed, so the white tree was in my room and then we had a family tree.
Cute thing is now my sons are Christmas nuts, they decorate their homes fully and love doing it.
Thanks for commenting, I hope you enjoy your new garland.
Nothing has to be perfect, Santa likes home made better. Don’t think have ever made salt dough anything, will get hubs to help me, he’s good at lots of things I can’t do anymore due to arthritis in hands. Fun to try tho, have new experience. So glad I clicked on your post in the party. Found bunch of old and newer cookie cutters today in cupboard so was meant to be.
Have great weekend
Hi JaneEllen: Old aluminum cookie cutters look great tied to a tree with ribbon. I have always wanted a little Christmas tree in my kitchen to hang cookie cutters on. These little stars aren’t a hard dough to deal with, they were pretty easy to manipulate. Not too fragile. Thank you for commenting. Leanna
Stars are one of my very favorite decorations. I always wear my silver star earrings at holiday time! Your star garland is so pretty. I’m contemplating whether I can make some for my tree this year. Haven’t worked with salt dough for a long time, but I know it’s pretty easy. Except for the spray paint, these might be fun to make with my five-year-old grandsons. I could probably use a different white paint. Tempera, maybe. It would be fun even tho’ they wouldn’t be as perfect as yours!
Hi Naomi: Silver star earring sound beautiful for the holidays. I hope you do make some for your tree. It costs very little especially if you already have paint. Little boys would like to do the sparkles as well, but wow they’d be everywhere. Thank you for commenting. Leanna
What a beautiful garland! I haven’t made salt dough ornaments in a very long time. Thank you for the inspiration! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Hi Marci: I love your blog, thanks for commenting. I just needed to think of something pretty that I could use for a huge tree. I am really glad you found it beautiful. Leanna
Love the use of twine and homemade stars. The tree must be gorgeous!
Hi Carol: My tree is coming along, its still a little bit bare of ornaments. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying the red decor. Thank you for commenting Leanna
I love the rustic handmade charm of your star garland, Leanna. Such a great idea and totally doable before the holidays! Pinning to share 🙂
Hi Marie: Thank you for the share. I have this huge tree upstairs and for whatever reason I decided it needed to be red this year. I am racking my brain trying to think of pretty things for it. Today I went to Michael’s looking for little buckets to make into reindeer feed buckets, but they don’t have anything small enough. Oh well I will keep thinking.
Love this idea! It’s so simple but adds so much to the tree. I’ll have to try it out this year!
Hi Vineta: It was pretty easy to put together. It took some time to bake and let the paint dry, but otherwise it didn’t take much time at all.
I appreciate the feedback. Leanna
I have to try this one Leanna. I remember when the kids were little and we did this. They came out nice but they cracked after a while. I think a new batch is in order. Pinning.
Hi Mary: I hope you do make it, you will have to send me a picture if you do. Please post a super cute diy ornament in red. I am curious about your plans for your tree this year.
Thank you very much for the comment and pin.
I can’t wait to make this! Love garlands and this is so pretty! Have a Merry Christmas!
Hi Erica: That’s great glad to hear you like it. Thanks for commenting, Merry Christmas to you as well. Leanna
I love this idea – it looks great! I have never tried salt dough before but after see this would like to try – pinned for later 🙂
Hi Sam: Go for it. Its pretty inexpensive to try unlike some of the projects I come up with. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate the kind feedback. Leanna
I’m going to add salt dough ornaments to our holiday To Do list for this year. My kids are old enough to get into it. Visiting from TaDa Thursday party.
Hi Victoria: I really enjoy the TaDa Thursday party, I have made friends with a few bloggers in your link up. Thank you for commenting, it is appreciated.
What a nice idea, my daughter would love to help me doing something like this. I think I will give it a try 🙂
Cheers,
Emese
These are pretty easy to do with children, but the drying takes awhile. They need to be patient with them. Thank you for commenting. Its always very nice to hear positive feedback. Leanna
Oh I love salt dough and your star garland is so beautiful!! What a great idea to make a garland with it, I haven’t used salt dough in like forever, but a few years back my girls and I made some star ornaments with a cornstarch mix which also turned out fun.
Hi Katrin: I liked the weight of the salt dough on the garland. I first tried doing it with card stock paper but it didn’t look the way I wanted it to.
I was trying to keep the cost down so I tried using salt dough instead. The weight of the salt dough made it hang differently. So I went ahead and made the rest of them.
I never considered doing this with children and I should have. Thank you for the terrific feedback.
Leanna