DIY Clay Christmas Ornaments: Easy Cookie Cutter Method

Updated at: 13/05/2025

The holiday season is a time for crafting, creating memories, and adding personal touches to your home décor. This year, ditch the mass-produced ornaments and embrace the charm of homemade decorations with our easy DIY clay Christmas ornaments! Using readily available materials and a simple technique, you can create beautiful, unique ornaments that reflect your personal style and add a heartwarming touch to your Christmas tree. Forget complicated techniques and expensive supplies; this project is perfect for crafters of all skill levels, from seasoned pros to enthusiastic beginners.

Using nothing more than air-dry clay and your favorite cookie cutters, you can quickly and easily produce a batch of charming ornaments. This delightful project is surprisingly inexpensive and incredibly rewarding, allowing you to personalize your decorations with festive shapes, colors, and embellishments. Ready to get started on creating your own collection of handmade treasures? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions below!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Clay
  • Cookie cutters
  • Rolling pin/hands
  • Pencil
  • Canvas or flat surface
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise children when using oven-bake clay and avoid direct contact with the clay before baking, as some clays may contain materials that are harmful if ingested or touched before fully cured.
  • Ensure your oven is at the correct temperature as specified in the clay instructions. Overbaking can cause cracking and underbaking can lead to brittle ornaments.
  • Use oven mitts or gloves when handling hot baking trays and freshly baked ornaments to prevent burns.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Clay

    • Flatten the clay.
    • Pound and flip the clay repeatedly to achieve even thickness.
    Pound and flip the clay repeatedly to achieve even thickness.Pound and flip the clay repeatedly to achieve even thickness.
    Prepare the Clay

  2. Cut the Shape

    • Select a cookie cutter and press it firmly into the clay.
    • Twist the cutter slightly for a cleaner cut.
    • Peel away excess clay from the edges.
    Peel away excess clay from the edges.Peel away excess clay from the edges.Peel away excess clay from the edges.
    Cut the Shape

  3. Add Hanging Hole and Personalization

    • Use a pencil to poke a hole at the top for hanging.
    • Smooth the hole and any rough edges.
    • Gently scratch your initials onto the back.
    Gently scratch your initials onto the back.Gently scratch your initials onto the back.Gently scratch your initials onto the back.
    Add Hanging Hole and Personalization

  4. Remove from Cutter

    • Carefully remove the ornament from the cutter by pressing along the edges.
    Carefully remove the ornament from the cutter by pressing along the edges.
    Remove from Cutter

  5. Finish and Dry

    • Set aside to dry.
    Set aside to dry.
    Finish and Dry

Read more: Easy Clay Heart Sculpting: From Charm to Button

Tips

  • Work on a canvas or flat surface to prevent the clay from sticking.
  • Don't manipulate the ornament too much after removing it from the cutter.
  • If you have extra clay, save it for another project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Clay Cracking During Baking

Reason: This is often caused by uneven drying or baking the clay at too high a temperature, too quickly.
Solution: Ensure the clay is evenly moist before baking and follow the clay's recommended baking instructions carefully.

2. Ornaments Sticking to the Cookie Cutter

Reason: This happens if the clay is too dry or if the cutter isn't well-lubricated.
Solution: Lightly grease the cookie cutter with cooking oil or use a silicone baking mat.

FAQs

How long do I need to wait for the clay ornaments to dry completely?
Air-dry clay can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to dry completely, depending on the thickness of the ornament and the humidity of your environment. It's best to leave them undisturbed in a well-ventilated area and check for dryness by gently pressing on them. They should be firm and not feel soft or damp to the touch.