Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornament: A Christmas Keepsake with Baby's Handprint Beard

By Jan Bay

A Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornament is a fun Christmas baby craft that turns a baby's tiny handprint into a Christmas keepsake! Instead of painting an ordinary handprint to look like Santa, this design uses the impression of baby's hand as his flowing white beard, complete with a smiling face, curly mustache, and bright red Santa hat. I took a different approach to give it a more elegant look.  I've given Santa his own decorative arched frame with a little stitched border, engraved stars, and pretty scrollwork at the bottom. A burgundy velvet ribbon finishes everything off. It looks wonderfully detailed, but the decorations are designed to be made with ordinary homemade salt dough and basic craft tools. And there's a free printable pattern to help you get the shape and placement just right!

See Supplies for This Project Here.

Supplies & Materials for Your Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornament

You don't need a collection of expensive clay tools to make this Santa ornament. Most of the work can be done with a rolling pin, a toothpick, a straw, and a small paintbrush. The printable takes care of the arched shape and helps you keep Santa's face and little Christmas decorations in the right places.

The one thing I'd spend a little extra time on is the dough. We want it firm enough to hold baby's handprint without losing those tiny finger impressions.

Salt Dough Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fine table salt
• 3/4 to 1 cup water, added gradually
• A little extra flour for adjusting sticky dough

This is one batch of dough. The actual amount needed will depend on how large you make the plaque and how much dough is lost when cutting the shape. Keep the extra dough covered while you work.

Tools & Decorating Supplies

• Free three-page Santa handprint ornament printable pattern
• US Letter printer paper
• Scissors
• Mixing bowl and spoon
• Rolling pin
• Two 1/2-inch-thick rolling guides
• Parchment paper and a flat baking sheet
• Small craft knife or clay-cutting tool
• Ruler
• 1/4-inch drinking straw for the hanging hole
• Toothpick or blunt wooden engraving tool
• Small rounded modeling tool, or the rounded end of a paintbrush
• Fine and medium paintbrushes
• Cranberry-red acrylic craft paint
• Muted green acrylic craft paint
• A tiny amount of pink craft paint for Santa's cheeks
• Clear matte craft sealer suitable for thoroughly dried salt dough
• Approximately 18 inches of burgundy velvet ribbon
• Small brush and water for attaching fresh dough details

I'd skip specialty molds, glitter, and extra decorations. Santa already has plenty of personality with his little handprint beard and curled mustache.

A Word About Baby's Handprint

Salt dough contains a large amount of salt and must not be eaten. Keep it away from baby's mouth. Have another adult help support your baby while you make the impression, and wash baby's hand afterward. Don't force the fingers into position or keep trying if your baby becomes upset.

Keep fresh dough, loose decorations, and the finished ornament out of reach of children and pets. The ASPCA explains why salt dough ornaments can be dangerous to pets, even after they've dried.

Easy Salt Dough Recipe for Santa Handprint Ornaments

We'll use ordinary flour, salt, and water. No special baking ingredients are needed, and you don't want self-rising flour because the ornament needs to keep its shape during drying.

For this particular design, I'd make the dough slightly firmer than I would for a simple cookie-cutter ornament. We're adding a face and small decorations around an actual hand impression, so a sticky dough would be more trouble than it's worth.

Mix the Dough

1. Put 2 cups of all-purpose flour into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add 1 cup of fine table salt and stir until evenly combined.
3. Slowly pour in 3/4 cup water while stirring.
4. Gather the mixture together with your hands.
5. Knead for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth.
6. If the dough remains crumbly, add water 1 teaspoon at a time.
7. If it sticks to your hands or the work surface, knead in a little extra flour.
8. Cover the finished dough until you're ready to roll it.

Don't add the entire cup of water at once. You may not need all of it.

Check the Dough Before Starting

Pinch off a small piece and press a fingertip into it. The impression should stay visible when you lift your finger. If the dough sticks or spreads, work in a little more flour and try again.

Next, roll that test piece to about 1/2 inch thick. It should hold its shape without cracking along the edges.

That's what you're looking for. Smooth enough to capture a handprint, but firm enough to support the decorated Santa face.

Free Printable Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornament Pattern

The free printable is designed around the Santa ornament shown in the finished example image. Page 1 gives you the full-size arched cutting outline and hanging-hole position. Page 2 is a photographic guide for placing Santa's face, hat, holly, stars, and bottom scrollwork. Use it to check the arrangement rather than tracing it onto the dough.

Download the Free Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornament Pattern (PDF)

What's Included?

• Page 1: Full-size arched ornament cutting outline and hanging-hole placement.
• Page 2: Santa's hat and face layout, stitched border, holly, stars, scrollwork, and suggested handprint area.
• Page 3: Finished ornament photograph for checking the general appearance and placement of details.

The handprint area is a placement guide, not a stencil for making an artificial hand. You'll use baby's real hand to create the impression.

Expected Ornament Measurements

• Outside plaque: Approximately 5.4 inches wide and 7.7 inches tall
• Starting dough thickness: 1/2 inch
• Suggested handprint area: Approximately 3 to 3 1/2 inches wide, with enough height for the palm and all five digits
• Hanging hole: Approximately 1/4 inch in diameter
• Dough above the hanging hole: At least 3/8 inch after cutting
• Flat raised decorations: Keep the hat brim, mustache halves, and holly leaves approximately 1/8 inch thick or less before attaching them.
• Rounded decorations: Make the nose approximately 1/4 inch across, the pom-pom approximately 3/8 inch across, and each of the three berries approximately 1/8 to 3/16 inch across. Flatten their undersides slightly so they sit close to the plaque.
• Ribbon: Approximately 18 inches before tying

These are planned template measurements, not measurements from a completed and dried ornament. Your baby's actual hand size will determine whether the standard outline needs enlarging.

How to Print the Pattern

1. Open the PDF.
2. Select US Letter paper.
3. Choose Actual Size or 100% in the print settings.
4. Turn off automatic scaling or Fit to Page.
5. Print Pages 1 and 2 for the cutting and decoration guides.
6. Print Page 3 if you'd like the finished ornament picture beside you.
7. Measure the 1-inch scale line on the template to check that printing hasn't changed the size.
8. Cut out the solid outside outline on Page 1.
9. Keep Page 2 beside you while decorating.

If baby's hand won't fit comfortably inside the suggested area, enlarge the Page 1 cutting template. At 110%, the outer plaque would measure approximately 5.9 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall. That size may require larger paper or tiled printing. Page 2 is a photographic placement guide, not a full-size stencil, so you don't need to enlarge it. Just adjust the decorative details to fit the larger plaque while keeping the same arrangement.

Don't try to squeeze baby's fingers into a pattern that's too small. Make the ornament larger instead.

Prepare the Dough & Make Baby's Handprint Beard

Here's the fun part! Baby's handprint becomes Santa's beard, with the palm just beneath his mustache and the five digits spreading downward toward the bottom of the plaque.

I'd get the dough ready before bringing baby over. It's much easier to make a nice impression when everything is already in place.

Roll the Plaque

1. Lay a large sheet of parchment paper on a clean work surface.
2. Place two 1/2-inch-thick rolling guides on either side.
3. Take enough prepared dough to roll a sheet slightly larger than the full-size arched template.
4. Roll the dough evenly between the guides.
5. Check that the entire sheet is approximately 1/2 inch thick.
6. Remove any folds or trapped air pockets by rerolling if necessary.
7. Keep the dough on its parchment paper.

Don't cut the arched shape yet. First, we'll make the handprint so we can position the outline around it.

Position Baby's Hand

The wrist belongs toward the upper part of the plaque, just beneath Santa's mustache. The fingers point downward. One thumb and four fingers should make five separate impressions.

Check the space against the printable before you begin. The upper part of the handprint needs room for Santa's face, while the fingertips need to finish above the engraved scrollwork at the bottom.

I'd leave at least 1/2 inch between the fingertips and the planned bottom decorations, if baby's hand size allows.

Make the Impression

1. Wash and dry baby's hand.
2. Have another adult help support your baby comfortably.
3. Position the dough where you can reach it without stretching or twisting baby's arm.
4. Gently bring the palm into contact with the dough, with the wrist toward the upper part of the ornament.
5. Let the thumb and four fingers rest naturally against the surface.
6. Apply light, even pressure to the palm and each digit without forcing the fingers apart.
7. Lift the hand away carefully, avoiding a sideways dragging motion.
8. Wash baby's hand afterward.

You want a recognizable handprint, not the deepest impression possible. For a plaque starting at 1/2 inch thick, a working target is to leave at least approximately 1/4 inch of dough beneath the deepest impression.

A real baby's fingers won't look perfectly spaced or identical. That's part of the charm. Don't carve extra fingers or reshape the impression to look like a drawing.

Check the Five Digits

Before you go any farther, count the impressions. There should be one thumb and four fingers. Look for a recognizable palm and make sure none of the fingertips touch the planned scrollwork.

If the handprint is smeared, reroll the dough and try another time. Don't try to fix a badly blurred impression by carving in new fingers.

Checkpoint: The handprint is centered, the wrist is toward Santa's face, and all five digits are visible.

Cut the Arched Ornament Shape & Hanging Hole

The arched plaque is one of my favorite details in this design. It gives Santa his own little frame, almost like a miniature Christmas portrait.

Use the printable for the outline. There's no reason to guess at the curves.

Cut the Plaque

1. Place the Page 1 cutting template over the rolled dough, centering it around the handprint.
2. Check that the palm will sit beneath Santa's planned mustache.
3. Make sure all five fingertips fit above the bottom star and scrollwork.
4. With an adult handling the knife, begin cutting at the upper arch.
5. Follow the template around the right shoulder and down the right side.
6. Cut around the lower-right corner.
7. Continue across the straight, rounded-bottom edge.
8. Cut up the left side and around the left shoulder.
9. Finish at the upper arch.
10. Remove the surrounding scraps while leaving the ornament flat on its parchment paper.

Take your time around the upper arch. The hanging hole needs enough dough around it, and a thin pointed tip would be more likely to break.

Smooth the Outer Edges

1. Dip a fingertip into clean water and shake off the excess.
2. Gently smooth the cut outer edge.
3. Round the two lower corners slightly.
4. Remove any rough bits along the arch.
5. Leave the plaque lying flat on the parchment.

Use very little water. Too much can make the surface sticky and spoil the nearby handprint.

Cut the Hanging Hole

1. Find the centered hanging-hole mark near the top of the template.
2. Use a 1/4-inch drinking straw to cut straight through the dough.
3. Lift out the plug of dough.
4. Check that the hole is round and unobstructed.
5. Measure the remaining dough between the top of the hole and the outer edge.
6. Leave at least 3/8 inch of solid dough above the hole.
7. Smooth the opening without enlarging it.

Don't make the hole larger just to fit a wide ribbon. A narrow ribbon or hanger can pass through it without removing more dough.

Shape checkpoint: Your ornament should be a single arched plaque with one real handprint, rounded lower corners, and a centered hanging hole.

Make Santa's Red Hat, Brim & Pom-Pom

Santa's hat gives the ornament most of its Christmas color. We'll paint the main hat directly onto the dry plaque, but make the cream brim and round pom-pom from a little fresh dough.

That keeps the raised details manageable instead of building a heavy, sculpted hat on top of an already thick ornament.

Mark the Red Hat Shape

1. Place Page 2 of the decorative guide beside the plaque.
2. Locate the planned red hat above Santa's face.
3. With a blunt tool, lightly mark a curved line beginning near the upper-left side of Santa's forehead.
4. Continue the hat upward beneath the hanging-hole area.
5. Curve the upper section toward the right.
6. Bring the long right-hand side downward toward the pom-pom position.
7. Close the outline with a gentle curve above the planned hat brim.
8. Keep the engraving shallow, approximately 1/16 inch or less.

The red area should look like a floppy Santa hat that bends toward the right side. Don't cut this section away from the plaque.

Make the Cream Hat Brim

1. Pinch off a small amount of fresh salt dough.
2. Roll it into a narrow, even strip approximately 1/4 inch wide.
3. Flatten the strip to approximately 1/8 inch thick.
4. Measure it against the curved brim line on the ornament and trim the ends.
5. Gently round the outer edges with your fingertips.
6. Lightly roughen the contact area on the plaque.
7. Brush a very small amount of water over that area.
8. Lay the strip across Santa's forehead in a gentle downward curve.
9. Press it lightly against the plaque to attach it without flattening it completely.
10. Use a toothpick to make short, shallow texture marks across the brim.

Keep the brim low. It doesn't need to look like a thick roll of dough.

Make the Pom-Pom

1. Roll one small piece of dough into a ball approximately 3/8 inch across.
2. Flatten the underside slightly.
3. Lightly roughen and dampen the contact area at the lower-right end of the hat.
4. Press the ball gently into place.
5. Use a toothpick to add shallow texture marks without piercing the ball.

The pom-pom should sit near Santa's right cheek, as shown in the finished example. Keep enough space around it for the stitched border.

Hat checkpoint: You should have a lightly engraved hat outline, one cream curved brim, and one small rounded pom-pom. Leave the main hat area unpainted until the ornament is completely dry.

Add Santa's Face, Nose & Curled Mustache

Santa doesn't need a complicated expression. Two smiling eyes, a pair of curved eyebrows, a round nose, and that wonderful curled mustache are plenty.

The mustache is made in two small pieces, with the nose covering their join in the middle.

Engrave Santa's Eyes & Eyebrows

1. Find the space immediately beneath the hat brim.
2. Mark two short, upward-curved eyebrow lines, one on each side of the center.
3. Keep the eyebrows approximately 1/2 inch apart at their inner ends.
4. Below each eyebrow, engrave a small smiling eye shaped like a gentle upward arch.
5. Use a blunt toothpick or modeling tool to make each line approximately 1/16 inch deep or less.
6. Check that both eyes remain visible beneath the brim.

Make the eyes similar in size, but don't chase perfect symmetry. Small variations suit a handmade Santa.

Make the Curled Mustache

1. Roll two small pieces of fresh dough into short, tapered ropes.
2. Make each rope approximately 1 1/4 inches long, with a fuller end near the center and a narrow outer tip.
3. Flatten each rope gently to approximately 1/8 inch thick.
4. Curve the first mustache half outward to the left, lifting its narrow tip slightly upward.
5. Make a mirror-image curve for the right half.
6. Place both pieces beneath the eyes, leaving their inner ends together in the center.
7. Check that the mustache sits immediately above the palm impression, without covering the finger impressions.
8. Lightly roughen and dampen the contact areas on the plaque.
9. Attach both halves with gentle pressure.
10. Use a toothpick to engrave two or three shallow curved lines along each mustache half.

Keep the mustache close to the plaque. A large raised curl might look pretty in a picture, but thin projecting ends could break after drying.

Add the Round Nose

1. Roll a small dough ball approximately 1/4 inch across.
2. Flatten the underside slightly.
3. Lightly dampen the center where the two mustache halves meet.
4. Place the nose over the join.
5. Press gently so it remains round but attaches to the plaque and both mustache halves.

Don't add a separate beard-shaped piece. Baby's actual handprint is the beard, and it should stay the center of attention.

Face checkpoint: Santa has two engraved eyebrows, two smiling eyes, two curled mustache halves, one rounded nose, and a real five-digit handprint below.

Make the Holly Leaves & Three Berries

The little holly decoration sits on the left side of Santa's hat brim. It's one of those details that makes the ornament feel special, but we don't need to make it complicated.

Two flattened leaves and three small berries will give you the look in the example without adding a heavy decoration.

Make Two Holly Leaves

1. Pinch off two small pieces of fresh dough.
2. Roll each into a flattened oval approximately 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch thick or less.
3. Pinch one end of each oval into a point.
4. Use a toothpick to make two small notches along each side, creating the familiar holly-leaf shape.
5. Engrave a shallow center vein along each leaf.
6. Add two short side veins on each side of the center.
7. Arrange the leaves above the left side of the hat brim so they angle away from one another.
8. Lightly roughen and dampen the contact spots.
9. Press both leaves into place, keeping their points close to the plaque.

Make the leaves small enough that they don't cover Santa's face or reach the stitched border. They'll be painted muted green after drying.

Make Three Little Berries

1. Pinch off three very small pieces of dough.
2. Roll each into a ball approximately 1/8 to 3/16 inch across.
3. Flatten the underside of each ball slightly.
4. Arrange the berries in a triangular cluster where the holly leaves meet.
5. Lightly roughen and dampen the contact spots.
6. Press the berries gently into place.
7. Make sure all three berries are attached to the main plaque rather than hanging from the leaves.

The berries should sit close to the surface. Large round berries would be more likely to come loose, and they aren't needed to get the look we're after.

Holly checkpoint: You should now have two pointed leaves with engraved veins and exactly three small berries at their base.

Engrave the Stitched Border, Stars & Scrollwork

Now let's finish the decorative frame. The stitched marks run around the inside of the arched plaque, with a small star on each side of Santa's head and two matching scrolls beneath baby's handprint.

I'd keep all these details shallow. We want them to look engraved into the dough, not cut through it.

Make the Stitched Border

1. Start near the lower-left corner of the ornament.
2. Use a blunt toothpick or rounded modeling tool to press a short dash approximately 1/4 inch inside the outer edge.
3. Make the dash approximately 1/8 inch long.
4. Move approximately 1/4 inch along the edge and make another dash.
5. Continue up the left side, following the plaque's curve.
6. Work around the arched top, keeping the marks clear of the hanging hole.
7. Continue down the right side.
8. Finish across the lower edge, adjusting the spacing near the rounded corners.

The border is made of individual little dashes, not one continuous carved line. Their number will depend on the exact printed size and your spacing.

Try to keep the marks approximately the same length and depth. If you need to adjust the spacing slightly around the arch, that's fine.

Engrave the Two Side Stars

1. Find the open space between Santa's face and the stitched border on the left.
2. Mark one small eight-point starburst approximately 1/4 inch across.
3. Start with a vertical line and a horizontal line crossing at the center.
4. Add four short diagonal lines to complete the eight-point shape.
5. Make the same starburst on the right side.
6. Keep both stars well inside the stitched border.

You don't need to cut out tiny stars or attach anything here. A few shallow lines will give you the engraved starbursts shown in the example.

Engrave the Lower Scrollwork

1. Find the open area beneath baby's fingertips.
2. Locate the center point along the bottom of the decorative guide.
3. Leave space in the center for the five-point star.
4. On the lower-left side, mark a gently curved line beginning near the center and sweeping outward.
5. Continue the outer end of that line into a small inward curl.
6. Draw a shorter second curve below it to give the scrollwork a layered appearance.
7. Repeat the same pair of curves on the right side, reversing their direction.
8. Check that neither scroll touches a fingertip impression or the stitched border.

Don't make deep grooves or complicated raised flourishes. The simple engraved curves are enough to frame the bottom of the handprint.

Make the Center Star

1. Mark a small five-point star midway between the two scrolls.
2. Keep it approximately 1/3 inch across.
3. Use a toothpick to connect the five points with shallow engraved lines.
4. Remove any loose dough crumbs from the grooves.

With the two side stars, the stitched border, and the little star at the bottom, the plaque should now look very close to the finished design.

Check All the Decorations Before Drying

• One arched salt dough plaque
• One actual baby handprint with five digits
• One painted-hat outline
• One raised cream hat brim
• One rounded pom-pom
• Two engraved eyebrows and two smiling eyes
• Two curled mustache halves
• One rounded nose
• Two small holly leaves with engraved veins
• Three raised berries
• Two engraved side starbursts
• Two lower engraved scrolls and one center star
• One stitched-style border around the plaque
• One clear hanging hole

Look at baby's handprint again. The five impressions should still be visible, and none of the decorations should cover the fingertips.

If a small piece is loose, reattach it now while the dough is fresh. If a groove is too deep, smooth it before the ornament dries.

Drying & Baking Instructions

Because we're making a fairly large ornament with a 1/2-inch-thick base and a few raised decorations, I wouldn't rush the drying. The most important thing is to let the dough harden all the way through without puffing up or cracking.

The temperature below is a low-temperature drying approach, not a tested baking schedule for this exact ornament.

Low-Temperature Oven Method

1. Leave the ornament on its parchment paper.
2. Carefully transfer the parchment and ornament onto a flat baking sheet.
3. Check that the raised nose, mustache, hat brim, pom-pom, leaves, and berries are attached.
4. Make sure the hanging hole is open.
5. Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C), using an oven thermometer if available.
6. Place the baking sheet in the oven.
7. Begin checking the ornament after approximately two hours.
8. Continue drying in the low oven as needed. A plaque this thick may require several additional hours.
9. Watch for puffing, deep cracks, or browning. If these develop, stop heating and reassess the ornament.
10. Once the plaque is firm enough to handle, carefully check the underside for moisture.
11. If the underside remains damp, continue drying. Carefully turning the piece onto fresh parchment may help once it is firm enough to support its own weight.
12. Remove the ornament only when the front, back, and thickest areas are completely hard and dry.
13. Allow it to cool fully on a flat surface.

Don't rely on a fixed baking time. A thick handprint ornament can take considerably longer than a thin cookie-cutter decoration. The actual time depends on the dough, oven, impression depth, and room humidity.

Can You Air-Dry It Instead?

Yes, but expect it to take much longer. Leave the ornament on a flat, dry surface in a well-ventilated room.

Check it daily. When the plaque is firm enough to handle, inspect the underside and turn it carefully if needed. A thick ornament may take many days or longer to dry fully in humid conditions.

Don't paint or seal dough that still feels damp. Trapped moisture can damage the finished ornament later.

Drying Checkpoints

• The plaque feels hard across the entire surface.
• The underside is dry and firm.
• The deep handprint areas are dry.
• The raised decorations haven't shifted or separated.
• There are no significant cracks around the hanging hole.
• No part of the ornament bends when handled gently.

If the upper hanging area has cracked or feels fragile, don't suspend the ornament from the ribbon. A sturdy display stand is a better choice.

Important: The thickness, raised decorations, and hanging strength still need to be checked with an actual dried sample. These instructions describe the intended construction rather than a physically tested finished ornament.

Painting, Sealing & Adding the Ribbon

Once Santa is completely dry, it's time to give him some Christmas color. I like the contrast of the cranberry-red hat against the natural cream dough, with just a little green on the holly leaves and three red berries.

Keep the handprint beard natural. There's no reason to paint over baby's little fingers after you've worked so hard to capture them!

Paint Santa's Hat

1. Use a fine brush to outline the hat with cranberry-red acrylic paint.
2. Fill the main hat area with a thin, even coat.
3. Keep the paint off the cream hat brim and pom-pom.
4. Allow the first coat to dry.
5. Add another thin coat if needed for even coverage.

The hat should have a slightly curved, floppy shape that hangs toward Santa's right cheek. Keep the color inside the engraved outline.

Paint the Holly & Berries

1. Use muted green acrylic paint on the two holly leaves.
2. Work carefully around the engraved veins so the leaf details stay visible.
3. Allow the green paint to dry.
4. Paint all three berries cranberry red.
5. Check that no red paint has covered the cream hat brim.

Add Santa's Rosy Cheeks

Use a tiny amount of pink craft paint on a nearly dry brush. Dab a little color onto the cheeks just beneath the eyes, then blend it lightly so the color fades toward the edges.

Don't add two large painted circles. The example has only a faint hint of rosy cheeks.

Leave the Other Details Natural

Keep Santa's nose, mustache, eyebrows, eyes, handprint beard, pom-pom, stitched border, stars, and lower scrollwork the natural cream color of the salt dough.

The shallow engraved lines will provide their own shadows. You don't need black paint to outline every detail.

Seal the Finished Ornament

1. Check that the ornament is completely dry and all paint has dried.
2. Choose a clear matte craft sealer suitable for dry salt dough or porous craft materials.
3. Test the sealer on a spare piece of dried dough to check for unwanted color changes.
4. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application and ventilation.
5. Apply a thin coat to the front, including the handprint and attached decorations.
6. Allow the coat to dry as directed.
7. Seal the back and outside edges.
8. Apply any additional coats recommended by the product manufacturer.
9. Allow the finish to cure completely before handling or adding the ribbon.

A sealer can help protect the finish, but it won't make salt dough waterproof. Keep the ornament away from moisture.

Add the Burgundy Velvet Ribbon

1. Cut approximately 18 inches of burgundy velvet ribbon.
2. Choose a ribbon narrow enough to pass through the hanging hole without forcing it.
3. Thread one end through the hole.
4. Bring the ends together above the ornament and tie a hanging loop.
5. Arrange a generous bow above the arched top, following the finished example.
6. Trim the ribbon ends neatly.
7. Check that the ribbon doesn't put sharp pressure on the edge of the hole.

Because this is a larger, thicker ornament, don't assume the hanging hole can support its finished weight. Check the dried piece carefully. If there's any doubt, display Santa on a sturdy stand instead.

And there's your Santa! His little handprint beard is the part that makes him special, but I think that arched frame and those pretty Christmas details give him a personality all his own.

Troubleshooting & Helpful Tips

There are a few things I'd watch for with this particular ornament. Most can be corrected before the dough dries, which is another good reason not to rush.

What If Baby's Handprint Has an Extra-Looking Finger?

A thumb impression can sometimes look like another finger, especially if it overlaps the palm. Before cutting the dough, count one thumb and four fingers. If the impression is confusing or badly smeared, reroll the dough and try again rather than carving or adding digits by hand.

What If Baby's Hand Won't Fit the Plaque?

Enlarge the cutting template and decoration guide together. Don't shorten the fingertips or squeeze the fingers closer together just to fit the printed outline.

Keep enough room for Santa's face above the handprint and the engraved scrollwork beneath it.

Why Is the Handprint Too Shallow?

The dough may be too firm, or the hand may not have made even contact. Try adjusting a fresh batch with a few drops of water and test it with your own fingertip first.

Use gentle pressure when making baby's impression. Don't force the hand downward to make the marks deeper.

Why Are the Raised Decorations Cracking?

Thick, unsupported pieces may dry differently from the plaque beneath them. Keep the brim, mustache, leaves, and berries small and low-profile. Attach each one to a lightly dampened, roughened spot while the dough is fresh.

If a piece develops a deep crack or becomes detached, don't leave it loose on an ornament that could be reached by a baby or pet.

Why Did the Ornament Puff Up?

Excessive heat or trapped air can cause salt dough to swell. Use all-purpose flour, avoid rolling air pockets into the dough, and dry it at a low temperature.

If the handprint or Santa's face becomes badly distorted, it may be better to remake the plaque than try to reshape it after drying.

What If the Hat Brim Looks Too Bulky?

Flatten the strip more before attaching it. The brim only needs a little height above the plaque to look raised. A thick rope can crowd Santa's face and may be harder to dry.

What If the Hanging Hole Cracks?

Don't hang the ornament from a damaged hole. A large salt dough plaque can be heavy, and a cracked hanging area may break under its own weight.

Display the ornament on a sturdy stand instead.

Can I Repair a Loose Holly Berry?

If the dough is still fresh, lightly roughen and dampen the contact area, then press the berry back into place.

For a fully dried ornament, use an adhesive suitable for porous decorative materials and follow its curing directions, or omit the loose piece. Keep any detached small parts away from children and pets.

Displaying & Storing Your Santa Keepsake

This Santa is a little more elaborate than an ordinary salt dough ornament, so I'd choose a display spot where the raised decorations won't be bumped.

If the finished plaque is light enough and the hanging hole is sound, you can hang it on a well-supported Christmas tree branch. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

A sturdy ornament stand is another nice option, especially if the finished piece is heavier than expected.

How to Store Your Santa Ornament

1. Make sure the ornament is completely dry and the sealer has fully cured.
2. Wrap it in clean, dry acid-free tissue paper.
3. Add extra padding around the hat brim, mustache, holly, and pom-pom.
4. Place it in a sturdy box with no heavy ornaments resting on top.
5. Keep the box in a dry, temperature-stable indoor location.
6. Avoid damp basements, garages, and humid storage areas.
7. Inspect the ornament for cracks or moisture before displaying it again.

If you want to record baby's name and the Christmas when the handprint was made, tuck a little note into the storage box. That keeps the front of Santa's ornament looking just like the original design.

For another way to preserve baby's tiny hand, see my Baby Salt Dough Handprint Ornament. It uses a different decorative shape with leafy branches and a small cranberry-red accent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Dough Santa Handprint Ornaments

Can I use a real baby's handprint for Santa's beard?

Yes. The ornament is designed around an actual hand impression, with the wrist toward Santa's face and the five digits pointing downward. Use one thumb and four fingers. You don't need to sculpt artificial fingers.

How thick should I roll the salt dough?

For this larger Santa plaque, the drafted pattern starts with dough approximately 1/2 inch thick. Make the handprint shallow enough to leave a substantial layer of dough beneath the impression.

Can I make this ornament with a newborn's handprint?

You can try, but newborn hands may be difficult to open for a clear impression. Have another adult help, use gentle pressure, and stop if your baby becomes uncomfortable. You can always try the craft at another time.

Do I have to sculpt Santa's entire face?

No. The smiling eyes and eyebrows are engraved directly into the plaque. Only the nose and two mustache halves are raised, along with the hat brim, pom-pom, holly leaves, and berries.

Can I make the ornament without special clay tools?

Yes. A rolling pin, ruler, straw, toothpick, small craft knife, and paintbrushes are enough for the basic construction. The printable gives you the cutting outline and a guide for placing the decorations.

How long does a thick salt dough Santa ornament take to dry?

A large, 1/2-inch-thick plaque can require several hours in a low oven at approximately 200°F (93°C), potentially much longer depending on the oven and dough. Air-drying can take many days. Don't paint or seal the ornament until the front, back, and thickest areas are fully dry.

Can I paint the handprint beard white?

You can, but the featured ornament leaves the handprint the natural cream color of the salt dough. That keeps the tiny finger impressions visible and gives the ornament its handmade appearance.

Will the finished Santa ornament be heavy?

It may be. The plaque is larger and thicker than a typical small hanging ornament, and the raised decorations add some weight. Its finished weight and hanging strength have not been physically tested. Use a sturdy display stand if the hanging hole or upper edge cannot support it.

If you'd like more ideas for baby's first Christmas, visit my Salt Dough Baby Christmas Ornaments collection. It includes other ways to turn little hands and feet into handmade keepsakes.