Michelle walks you through every step — from mixing the dough to painting, decorating, and finishing your ornaments. So good. So cozy. So Christmas.

IOD Products:

🎨 Belsnickel IOD Mould

For the Salt Dough
✨ 2 parts all-purpose flour
✨ 1 part table salt
✨ 1 part warm water

For Decorating
✨ Acrylic paint
✨ Small paintbrushes
✨ Glitter (optional)
✨ Black, brown, or white glaze (optional)
✨ A toothpick or skewer for making hanging holes
✨ String or ribbon to finish

Before we dive in, if you've never worked with salt dough before, we want you to know that it is genuinely one of the most beginner-friendly crafting mediums out there. No special equipment, no expensive supplies, no experience required. Just flour, salt, warm water, and a little bit of time. 💕

It's also the most wonderful holiday activity to do with your children or grandchildren. Watching little hands press dough into a mould and pull out a Belsnickel? That is a memory that sticks around long after the ornaments do. 🥰

The recipe couldn't be simpler:

✨ 2 parts all-purpose flour

✨ 1 part table salt

✨ 1 part warm water

Mix everything together until a smooth, pliable dough forms. It should feel similar to play dough. Soft enough to press into the mould but firm enough to hold its shape. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour. Too dry? A tiny splash more water. You've got this. 🙌

Before your dough goes anywhere near the mould, give it a light dusting of flour. This is your secret weapon for a clean, easy release every single time. 💕

Then, cast one figure at a time rather than filling the entire mould at once. Michelle found that with salt dough, creating one at a time made releasing the mould easier and kept those lovely Belsnickel details.

Then place it directly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Before those ornaments go anywhere near the oven, add your hanging hole. 🎄

Use a toothpick, skewer, or the end of a paintbrush to poke a clean hole near the top of each ornament while the dough is still soft. It takes about three seconds and saves you from a very sad moment later when you realize you forgot. Trust us on this one. 😅

Pop your ornaments into the oven at 200°F for two hours.

Low and slow is the name of the game here. This gentle baking dries the dough out completely without burning or cracking. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before painting. Good things come to those who wait. 🥰

This is the part where your Belsnickels really come to life, and the creative possibilities are genuinely so fun. 😍

A few things Michelle recommends:

💕 Thin your paint with a little water for smoother, more even coverage, and let each coat dry fully before adding the next so the ornament doesn't get too wet.

💕 Try dry brushing over the raised details for a beautiful, rustic finish that highlights all that gorgeous moulded texture.

💕 Add a glaze — black, brown, or white — into all the nooks and crannies, then wipe it back with a paper towel. The depth and character it creates is absolutely stunning. 😍

💕 A little glitter never hurt anyone. Especially at Christmas. 🎉

💕 Color washes over the base coat add a soft, layered quality that makes each ornament feel completely one of a kind.

Play with it. Experiment. And remember that imperfection is often what makes a piece truly beautiful. There are no mistakes here, only charming little Belsnickels. 🥰

Here's the easiest step of the whole project: you're done. 🎉

Because these ornaments are decorative pieces finished with acrylic paint, no sealer is needed. Just let the paint dry completely, thread a ribbon or twine through the hanging hole, and they are ready for the tree, the wreath, the gift package, or wherever your heart desires. 💕

Imagine pulling these little Belsnickels out of the box every December and remembering the afternoon you made them. Maybe it was with your kids, your grandkids, or your creative bestie at the craft table. Handmade from the heart and full of character. 💕

That's what IOD is all about. And that's exactly what these ornaments deliver.

Ready to get your hands on the Belsnickel Mould? Find your nearest IOD Stockist using the big red Where to Buy  button on our website. 🙌

New to IOD? Our Product 101 pages are packed with beginner-friendly techniques to help you get the most out of every product. And for more how-tos and holiday project inspo, there is so much good stuff waiting for you in the rest of our blog. 💕

Made your own salt dough Belsnickels? Please share them with the IOD Creative Tribe on Facebook. It is the most supportive community of makers on the internet, and we genuinely cannot wait to see what you create. Happy making! 🎄💕