How to Make Bird Seed Ornaments for Holiday Craft Ideas

It is not difficult to make holiday ornaments out of bird seed.

Making your own homemade bird seed ornaments is not difficult. The craft is inexpensive and is an enjoyable project the entire family will enjoy. It creates an ornament that goes well with a back-to-nature theme for your crafts or to use as ornaments on trees decorated outdoors. Children enjoy hanging them near bird feeders or from a branch on the trees. They can watch their feathered friends feast on the treats and learn about them at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Butter or solid shortening
• Cookie cutter
• Aluminum foil
• Small cooking pot
• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup each chopped nuts and bird seed
• Small wood picture frame
• Foam brush or craft paintbrush
• Nontoxic glue
• Bird seed
• Decorative holiday pick
• Florist wire
• Narrow ribbon or raffia

Instructions

Cookie Cutter Ornament

1. Grease a cookie ornament with butter or solid shortening. You can choose any shape you desire, but a bird, butterfly or other outdoor-themed shape is preferable.

2. Lay the greased cookie cutter onto two layers of aluminum foil.

3. Fold the aluminum foil up around the cookie cutter's sides.

4. Pour the coconut oil, birdseed and chopped nuts into a pot on the stove.

5. Cook the oil on medium heat until it melts. Stir the mixture well once it melts.

6. Cut a piece of twine 8 inches long. Lay one end into the cookie cutter.

7. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and pour it into the mold, filling it almost to the top edge.

8. Allow the mixture to harden and then place it carefully into a freezer for an hour. Once it is frozen, pop it out of the cookie cutter.

9. Hang it near a birdhouse outside, a tree branch, or on a door wreath.

Frame Ornament

1. Locate a plain, wooden picture frame.

2. Use a foam brush or craft paintbrush to apply nontoxic glue to the frame.

3. Sprinkle bird seed onto the frame until it is covered. Attach a decorative holiday pick to the frame with florist wire.

4. Hang the picture frame onto a tree branch or somewhere outdoors with a narrow ribbon or a piece of raffia.

Tips & Warnings

• Bird seed can be messy while making the ornaments. Be sure to place some old newspapers or a towel down on your work table.

References

• Country Living: How to Make a Bird Seed Ornament
• Good Housekeeping: Creative Christmas Wreaths