Long before shiny glass balls and glitter, people in 16th-century Germany decorated evergreen trees with apples, nuts, and handmade cookies to symbolize hope and renewal during winter. By the 1800s, those edible ornaments gave way to molded decorations and glass baubles, and the idea spread across Europe and America. Queen Victoria’s 1848 Christmas tree portrait in The Illustrated London News sealed the trend — turning a local custom into a global tradition.

Make Your Own Air-Clay Ornaments (Old-World Style)

You’ll need:

• Crayola Air-Dry Clay (white works best)

• Wooden cookie mold (any traditional Springerle-style or carved design)

• Rolling pin

• Parchment paper

• Straw or skewer (for the hanging hole)

• Twine, ribbon, or thin jute cord

Steps:

1. Prep your surface. Lay down parchment to prevent sticking.

2. Roll the clay. Flatten a portion to about ¼ inch thick — even, but not paper-thin.

3. Press the mold. Lightly dust the mold with cornstarch, then press it firmly into the clay. Lift carefully to reveal the design.

4. Cut and finish. Trim around the design with a knife or cookie cutter. Use a straw to make a small hole near the top.

5. Dry. Let the ornament sit for 24–48 hours until fully hardened. (Flip after 12 hours to reduce curling.)

6. Decorate or seal. Leave natural, or brush with diluted acrylic paint, metallic wax, or clear varnish for a vintage finish.

7. Add the hanger. Thread twine or ribbon through the hole — and you’ve got an heirloom-style ornament worthy of a 19th-century parlor.