Just A Mom Trying

You don’t need an oven for this one! If you need a cheap, quick, and fun holiday craft to do with the kids—especially if you’re out of time—these clay ornaments are the answer. They look rustic and beautiful, and they are incredibly simple to make. They also double as personalized gift tags, which helps keep the holiday budget in check!

Materials You’ll Need:

Air-Dry Clay (the white or terracotta color works best for a rustic look)
Rolling Pin
Cookie Cutters (use simple holiday shapes)
Letter Stamps or a sharp skewer/toothpick for personalization
Drinking Straw (to punch the hole)
Twine or Ribbon (for hanging)

Quick Steps:

Start by rolling the clay out to about 1/4 inch thick. This keeps the ornaments sturdy and easy to work with.

Next, cut out your shapes using the cookie cutters.
Before they dry, use the drinking straw to punch a hole for the ribbon near the top edge.

This is the fun part: stamp names, initials, or the year onto the clay. If you don’t have stamps, a sharp skewer or toothpick works great for drawing designs or writing freehand.

Now, the easy part! Just let them air-dry for 24–48 hours, depending on the humidity where you live.

Once completely dry, string them with twine or ribbon, and hang them on the tree or attach them to your holiday gifts!

🖌️ Taking It to the Next Level: Painting and Sealing
Once your clay tags are completely dry, you can paint them for a pop of color and extra durability!

The best paint to use is acrylic craft paint. It’s cheap, easy to find, and dries quickly to a nice, durable finish that adheres perfectly to the clay. You can paint them solid colors, add detailed designs, or use metallic gold/silver for a festive look.

To protect your paint job and give the ornaments a finished look, you’ll want to seal them with Mod Podge. Simply brush one or two thin coats of clear Mod Podge (available in matte or glossy finish) over the entire painted surface, allowing it to dry completely between coats. This step makes the ornaments more moisture-resistant and helps them last for years!