Bird seed ornaments

The  Mister and I have begun decorating for Christmas, both indoors and outdoors.  This year, I wanted to decorate the trees in the yard with a few festive goodies for the wild birds that are looking for a snack.  What could be better than making simple birdseed ornaments?

 

These wild birdseed ornaments require very few ingredients from your kitchen, whatever cookie cutters you'd like to use, some string or ribbon and you've soon created something to share with nature.

I think these are such fun to make with young ones as well as the young at heart.  An advantage to this "recipe" is that they don't require peanut butter so they won't adversely affect those who have nut allergies.

Have you figured out what the shape of this one (above) is?  Yep!  It is a rooster.  I'm sending this one over to the lady from whom we buy our fresh eggs.  I think she'll get a giggle out of the rooster.
See how few and simple the ingredients are? 

Do you want to make some?  Here is the recipe and easy instructions:

 

 

Bird Seed Ornaments

 

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups of birdseed
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 packets of Knox gelatin
• cookie cutters or even a canning jar rim for a simple circle
• string or ribbon for the hanger
• parchment paper or waxed paper to work on and let the ornaments dry

 

Directions:

 

1. Mix the water and gelatin in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve.  STIR CONSTANTLY until all of the geletin has dissolved.  Then remove the pan from the heat and cool it for a minute or two.  Don't wait too long, though because the gelatin will begin to set.
2. Next, stir in the  1 1/2 cups of birdseed into the water/gelatin mixture.  If you see that it is still a little "syrupy" or water/gel at the bottom then add a little more birdseed to soak up the extra moisture.
3. Now the fun begins.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.  This will be your work surface.  Press the birdseed into the cookie cutters but filling only to half full.  Cut a piece of string, bakers twine, ribbon (whatever you want to hang your ornaments on) and tie a knot in the end.
4. Lay the string in the middle of the ornament.  I spread my string out as much as possible in the center and pulled the top up to where it will be exposed giving a more sturdy hanger.  I was fearful that if the string is only at the top that it would pull out of the ornament too quickly before the birds have a chance to eat the whole thing.
5. Now press more birdseed on top of the string to cover it completely.  If you notice a tiny scrap of parchment paper at the top of the photo below, I used that bit of paper to help me press the birdseed in.  The mixture is sticky and will stick to your fingers, otherwise.  You'll want a nice, smooth surface.
6. Once you've filled your cookie cutters allow them to dry overnight.  Be sure to turn them over occasionally so they'll dry evenly all the way through and on both sides.
7. Once the ornaments are dry, carefully removed them from the cookies cutters by pressing them through the cutter.

This recipe made 4 ornaments.  My cookie cutters are large so you could, perhaps get one or two more if using smaller cutters.

Pressing the birdseed/water/gelatin mixture into the cookie cutters and layout out the string:

Voila!  A finished set of ornaments ready to be taken outside for the birds.

I'll be watching my ornaments to see if I can capture some photos of birds enjoying their treat.  Be sure you place your bird seed ornaments in a place where you can enjoy the birds feasting.  This is a fun idea I found on Pinterest HERE.

 

Let Heaven and Nature Sing!

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer