There’s something magical about filling your home with the warm, spicy scent of cinnamon during the holiday season. These festive cinnamon ornaments are the perfect craft to make with kids, friends, or simply as a cozy afternoon project for yourself. They’re beautifully rustic, wonderfully aromatic, and add a homemade touch to your Christmas tree or gift packages that store-bought decorations just can’t match.
What I love most about this DIY craft is how incredibly simple it is—you only need a handful of pantry staples and about 45 minutes from start to finish. The dough comes together in minutes, rolls out like a dream, and bakes into sturdy ornaments that will fill your home with that irresistible cinnamon scent for weeks. Whether you’re hosting a crafting party or looking for a thoughtful handmade gift, these cinnamon ornaments deliver big on charm without any fuss.
Why I Love These
These ornaments transform simple pantry ingredients into beautiful, fragrant decorations that look like they came from an artisan holiday market.
The dough is incredibly forgiving and easy to work with, making it perfect for crafters of all skill levels, including young children who want to help.
I make a batch every December to hang on the tree, tuck into gift bags, or attach to wrapped presents for that extra special homemade touch.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup smooth applesauce.
- 1 cup cinnamon, plus extra for dusting.
- 1/8 cup liquid glue (white glue in a bottle).
- Christmas cookie cutters.
- A straw (for poking a hole).
- Ribbon (for hanging).
How To Make
- In a large bowl, mix applesauce, cinnamon, and glue until well combined. Adjust with additional applesauce if too dry, or more cinnamon if too wet.
- Roll out the dough on a flat surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
- While ornaments are still moist, use a straw to poke a hole near the top of each ornament for hanging.
- Place ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 30 minutes. After baking, allow ornaments to air dry for 24-48 hours.
- Add ribbons to hang on the tree and decorate with puffy paint if desired.
Nutrition
These cinnamon ornaments are a craft project rather than an edible treat, so traditional nutrition information doesn’t apply here. However, it’s worth noting that the ingredients—cinnamon and applesauce—are natural and non-toxic, making them safe to have around children and pets, though they’re not intended for consumption due to the high concentration of cinnamon.
Cinnamon itself has been celebrated for its aromatic properties and is often associated with warmth and comfort during the holiday season. The applesauce acts as a natural binder, creating a dough that’s easy to work with and completely free of artificial ingredients or chemicals found in some commercial craft supplies.
If you have sensitivities to cinnamon or other spices, handle the dough with care and wash hands thoroughly after crafting. These ornaments are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, making them an inclusive craft option for gatherings with diverse dietary needs and preferences.
Tips & Variations
- Make the dough a day ahead and store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator—it will actually become easier to work with after resting overnight.
- Add a few drops of essential oils like orange, pine, or vanilla extract to the dough for a custom scent blend that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Press whole cloves, star anise, or dried orange slices into the ornaments before baking for added visual interest and extra fragrance.
- Use rubber stamps or textured rolling pins to emboss patterns into the dough before cutting for a more decorative, professional-looking finish.
- Seal finished ornaments with a light coat of mod podge or clear acrylic sealer to help preserve their scent and prevent crumbling over time.
Ways To Serve Them
- Hang them on your Christmas tree as rustic, fragrant ornaments that double as natural air fresheners throughout the holiday season.
- Tie them onto wrapped gifts with twine or ribbon for a personalized, handmade gift topper that recipients can keep and enjoy.
- String multiple ornaments together to create a festive garland for mantels, doorways, or stair railings.
- Place them in bowls or baskets around your home as decorative potpourri that fills rooms with warm cinnamon scent.
- Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon to give as thoughtful hostess gifts or party favors.
Proper Storage
- Room Temperature: Store completely dried ornaments in an airtight container or zip-top bag with sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll maintain their shape and fragrance for several months, though the scent will gradually fade over time.
- Long-Term Storage: Pack ornaments carefully in tissue paper inside a sturdy box and store in a cool, dry place away from humidity. They can last for years if kept dry, though you may want to refresh their scent by adding a drop of cinnamon essential oil before displaying each season.
- Refreshing: If the scent fades, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to release fresh cinnamon aroma, or place them in a sealed bag with a cinnamon stick for a few days to revive their fragrance.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup smooth applesauce.
- 1 cup cinnamon, plus extra for dusting.
- 1/8 cup liquid glue (white glue in a bottle).
- Christmas cookie cutters.
- A straw (for poking a hole).
- Ribbon (for hanging).
Steps
- In a large bowl, mix applesauce, cinnamon, and glue until well combined. Adjust with additional applesauce if too dry, or more cinnamon if too wet.
- Roll out the dough on a flat surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
- While ornaments are still moist, use a straw to poke a hole near the top of each ornament for hanging.
- Place ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 30 minutes. After baking, allow ornaments to air dry for 24-48 hours.
- Add ribbons to hang on the tree and decorate with puffy paint if desired.
Notes
- Make the dough a day ahead and store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator—it will actually become easier to work with after resting overnight.
- Add a few drops of essential oils like orange, pine, or vanilla extract to the dough for a custom scent blend that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Press whole cloves, star anise, or dried orange slices into the ornaments before baking for added visual interest and extra fragrance.
- Use rubber stamps or textured rolling pins to emboss patterns into the dough before cutting for a more decorative, professional-looking finish.
- Seal finished ornaments with a light coat of mod podge or clear acrylic sealer to help preserve their scent and prevent crumbling over time.