Holly Wreath Salt Dough Ornament

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Here’s another simple salt dough Christmas ornament that you can make yourself or with your children. The holly resembles the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head when he died on the cross to save us from our sins.

If you are using my 25 day Advent calendar, you can tie this craft in with the daily readings. Read together Matthew 27:28-29

Braided Holly Wreath Ornament

Salt dough
Green food coloring
Red food coloring
Toothpick
Wire or paper clip for hanging

Divide the dough. You will need more green dough than red. Add the green food coloring to the largest piece of dough. Add the red coloring to the other piece. (Paste food coloring lends a more brilliant color than liquid food coloring.)

For each ornament you want to roll three ropes of green dough about 6 inches long and about ¼ inch around. Pinch the three ropes together at one end and braid as you would hair.

When you get to the end, pinch the end pieces together and make a circle, pinching both ends together.

Roll two small balls of green dough and flatten. Use a toothpick to shape the flattened balls into holly leaf shapes. Place holly leaves on top of the pinched ends. Rolls three tiny red balls for the berries and place the berries in the middle of the two holly leaves.