Creating paw print ornaments is a fun and easy way to include your beloved pets in your holiday decorating.
With a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and some craft supplies, you can create festive keepsakes you’ll use year after year.
What You Need
From the pantry, you’ll need all-purpose flour and salt. This will probably be the only time I tell you that plain old bleached white flour is preferred! Only because the white flour will allow for brighter colors if you add food coloring to the paw print ornament dough. You could use whole wheat flour, but the dough will be a dingy beige color. But if you’re going for the kraft-rustic look, you might want that!
After you’ve decided how you want to color and decorate the ornaments, gather everything together on a work surface. I highly recommend covering your workspace with a tablecloth, parchment, or butcher paper–anything you don’t mind getting crusty. This little project could get messy.
Making The Paw Print Ornament
- Mix together the flour, salt, hot water, and food coloring if using. (The recipe below details how to make two-colored dough.)
- As the dough comes together, you’ll have to work it with your hands. Knead it until it’s a smooth consistency. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Roll the dough out to 1/2″ thickness on your covered surface.
- Cut out the desired shape bigger than your pet’s paw with a biscuit cutter or drinking glass.
- Press the cut-out onto your pet’s paw pad.
- Unless your pet is familiar with their feet being handled, this could be a strange event for them. The important thing is to avoid stress or discomfort. It might be easier to take the imprint when they’re lying down, where you’ll press the shape onto their paw rather than try to get them to stand on it. (I learned this the hard way. Trying to get Jax and Luna to stand on the shape was impossible.)
- If the paw impression isn’t distinct enough, use your thumb or finger to deepen the imprint.
- Place the cut-outs on a lined cookie sheet. Using a straw, poke a hole in the top of the shape.
- If you plan to use lettering stamps to imprint the pet’s name and/or the date, this is the time to do it.
- Bake until completely dry.
IMPORTANT
The paw print ornaments are not edible and could be toxic if ingested due to the high salt content. Please keep your pet from eating the dough while crafting, and clean their paws off thoroughly to remove as much salt residue as possible. Hang ornaments out of reach of pets and kids.
Decorating The Ornament
Once your paw print ornament is completely cooled, you can decorate it to your heart’s content. You’re only limited by your imagination. (And craft supplies budget! Hahaha.)
Embellishment Ideas
- Add your pet’s name and/or the date using lettering stamps. Press into the dough before baking.
- Use craft paint to color the toe beans a contrasting color.
- Add sparkling jewels around the perimeter using a hot glue gun.
- Once you’ve finished decorating and the paint has dried, coat the dough surface with a clear varnish. While the varnish is still wet, sprinkle a little glitter if desired.
When your ornaments are ready to hang, thread a pipe cleaner or holiday ribbon through the hole.
Paw Print Christmas Tree Ornaments
Equipment/Supplies
- Craft paint brushes
- Tablecloth, parchment, or butcher paper (anything to cover and protect your work surface)
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup salt fine, not coarse
- 1/2 cup hot water
Embellishment OPTIONS
- Red or green food coloring
- Craft paint
- Clear varnish
- Festive pipe cleaners or holiday ribbon
- Glitter
- Letters for name imprinting
- Small jewels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and hot water and mix thoroughly. If dough is sticky, add more flour.
- Knead until it becomes a smooth dough ball.
- Roll dough out into 1/2” thickness.
- Cut shapes larger than your pet’s paw using a cookie cutter or drinking glass.
- Gently press your pet’s paw in the center of each shape. TIP: If the paw impression isn’t distinct enough, use your thumb or finger to deepen the imprint.
- Place shapes onto cookie sheet. Using a straw, cut a hole in the top of the shape.
- Bake for 2-3 hours or until they are solid and thoroughly dried.
- Transfer onto a wire rack and let cool completely before decorating.
Two-Colored Dough
- Divide the dough ball in half and use 15-20 drops of food coloring for a half. (The amount of food coloring will depend on how rich you wish the color.)
- Knead dough until color is fully incorporated.
- Combine both colors of dough then roll out.
Name or Date Imprinting
- After the paw impression is taken, press lettering stamps into the dough before baking.
The Finishing Touches
- After the ornaments are completely cooled, you can get creative! Use craft paint to color the paw print or add sparkling jewels around the perimeter using a hot glue gun.
- Once you’ve finished decorating and the paint has dried, coat the dough surface with a clear varnish.
- To apply glitter, sprinkle it onto the ornament while the varnish is still wet.
- When your ornaments are ready to hang, thread a pipe cleaner or holiday ribbon through the hole.