There’s something magical about making Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments during the holidays the warm, spicy scent of cinnamon fills the house, and every ornament you craft becomes a keepsake memory. These rustic, homemade ornaments are a simple, fun family project that doubles as both a DIY craft and a natural air freshener for your home. They look charming on a Christmas tree, tied to a wrapped gift, or hanging from a garland in your kitchen.
These non-edible cinnamon ornaments have been part of my family’s holiday tradition for years. Every December, I pull out the cookie cutters, cinnamon, and applesauce, and spend a cozy afternoon creating ornaments with the kids. The smell alone makes it feel like Christmas morning! If you love simple, cozy crafts like this, you’ll also adore my Holiday Sugar Cookies and Christmas Shortbread Cookies they make the kitchen smell just as festive.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love These Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments
- Smell amazing your whole home will fill with the scent of cinnamon and spice.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients no fancy supplies needed.
- Family-friendly a great hands-on craft for kids.
- Long-lasting these ornaments can last for years when stored properly.
- Perfect for gifting tie them to presents or add them to gift baskets for a homemade touch.
table talk
With Liliya!
When I was little, my grandmother had a tree decorated entirely with handmade ornaments cinnamon stars, dried oranges, and straw snowflakes. I remember her kitchen counter covered with parchment and cookie cutters, the air full of cinnamon and clove. Those ornaments would last for years, gently releasing their scent every time they were unpacked. Today, I continue her tradition, and my kids love making them just as much as I did. There’s something so grounding and heartwarming about crafting something beautiful with your hands.
Liliya
Ingredients / Materials You’ll Need
- Ground cinnamon forms the base and gives that classic spicy scent.
- Ground cloves & nutmeg – add depth and warmth to the fragrance.
- Applesauce – binds the spices together to form a soft dough.
- Glue – helps the ornaments harden and stay durable over time.
- Ribbon or twine – for hanging your ornaments once dry.
How I Make Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments
(This is a quick overview of my favorite way to make these — the full step-by-step is in the recipe card below.)
- Mix the dry ingredients. Combine cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a bowl. The mixture will already smell heavenly!
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in applesauce and glue until a dough forms. Use your hands to knead for 2–3 minutes. If it’s too dry, add a little more applesauce; if too wet, sprinkle in more cinnamon.
- Roll and cut. Lightly dust your surface with cinnamon and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create your favorite shapes — trees, stars, gingerbread people, or snowflakes.
- Make holes. Use a straw or toothpick to create a small hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
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Dry or bake.
- Oven method: Bake at 200°F (100°C) for several hours until dry and firm.
- Air-dry method: Let them dry naturally in a warm, sunny spot for 4–5 days.
- Decorate & hang. Once completely dry, thread ribbon or twine through the holes. You can leave them natural or add paint, glitter, or gingham bows.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Ornaments
Don’t skip the glue! It’s the secret to making the ornaments durable and long-lasting.
Use fresh spices. The fresher the cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, the stronger the scent.
Make the dough firm. The right texture should feel like soft clay — not sticky.
Flip halfway if baking. This helps them dry evenly and prevents curling.
Keep them flat while drying. Use parchment-lined trays or cardboard to keep their shape.
For extra scent: Add a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to the dough.
Creative Variations
- Rustic Farmhouse Look. Leave the ornaments natural, tie them with jute twine, and pair with pinecones or dried oranges for a rustic vibe.
- Glitter and Sparkle. Before drying, dust the tops with fine gold or silver glitter for a festive shimmer.
- Painted Ornaments. Once dry, decorate with white acrylic paint or metallic pens for a Scandi-style Christmas look.
- Cookie Cutter Fun. Mix up the shapes — try reindeer, bells, hearts, or snowflakes. Kids love making their own designs!
- Scent-Boosted Batch. Add a few drops of vanilla or orange essential oil for a more complex fragrance.
Storing / Longevity of Cinnamon Ornaments
Store your non-edible cinnamon ornaments in a cool, dry place. Layer them between sheets of wax paper or tissue in an airtight container to prevent breakage. Avoid humid areas, as moisture can soften them.
With proper care, these ornaments can last for up to 5 years sometimes even longer! Over time, the scent may fade slightly, but you can refresh it by rubbing a drop of cinnamon or clove essential oil on the back of each ornament.
Best Uses for Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments
- Hang on your Christmas tree for a warm, rustic look.
- Tie them to wrapped gifts as fragrant tags.
- Add to wreaths, garlands, or fireplace mantels.
- Use as table décor for holiday gatherings.
- Place in a bowl as a natural room freshener.
Why Cinnamon Ornaments Are the Perfect Holiday Craft
Cinnamon ornaments are a stress-free way to bring creativity and nostalgia into your holiday prep. They’re affordable, easy, and fill your home with a cozy scent — no candles required! This simple craft also makes a great sensory project for kids. Plus, because they’re non-edible, they can be kept year after year, becoming part of your family’s seasonal traditions.
How to Personalize Your Cinnamon Ornaments
Personal touches make these ornaments extra special. Try pressing a small rubber stamp or lace into the dough before drying to create texture. You can also write initials or the year with a toothpick before baking they make lovely keepsakes or teacher gifts.
FAQs About Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments
Are these ornaments edible?
No! These are non-edible they’re made for decoration only because they contain glue.
Can I make them without glue?
Yes, you can skip the glue, but they’ll be more fragile. Add a little extra applesauce to help bind the dough.
How long do they last?
When stored correctly, they can last for several years. They’ll darken slightly with age but keep their shape beautifully.
Can I hang them outside?
They’re best for indoor use, as moisture and cold weather can cause them to crack or warp.
Can I use other scents?
Absolutely! You can replace or mix cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or allspice for a custom scent.
More Holiday Cookie Recipes
Before you get started! If you try this Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments recipe, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review. It helps us keep sharing free recipes you can count on.
Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments
- Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield15 ornaments 1x
These Non-Edible Cinnamon Ornaments are the ultimate holiday craft — simple, fragrant, and long-lasting! Made with cinnamon, applesauce, and a touch of glue, they fill your home with cozy Christmas aroma while creating beautiful, rustic decorations. Perfect for tree ornaments, gift tags, or homemade keepsakes that last for years.
Ingredients
- ½ cup ground cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon ground cloves
- ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
- ⅜ cup applesauce
- 1 tablespoon glue
- Ribbon or twine (for hanging)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, combine ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Stir in applesauce and glue until a dough forms.
- Knead the mixture: Use your hands to knead the dough for 2–3 minutes until smooth. If too dry, add more applesauce; if too wet, sprinkle in extra cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough: Lightly dust your surface with cinnamon. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes: Use cookie cutters to create your favorite designs — stars, trees, or gingerbread people.
- Make holes for hanging: Use a straw or toothpick to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament.
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Dry or bake:
- Oven method: Bake at 200°F (100°C) for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway through.
- Air-dry method: Place on parchment paper and let dry for 4–5 days, turning occasionally.
- Decorate: Once fully dry, thread ribbon or twine through the holes. Add bows, glitter, or paint if desired.
- Hang and enjoy: Display on your Christmas tree, attach to gifts, or use in garlands for a cozy, homemade touch.
Notes
- These ornaments are non-edible due to the glue. They are meant for decoration only.
- For a stronger scent, add a few drops of cinnamon or clove essential oil to the dough.
- Store ornaments in a cool, dry place between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container.
- With proper storage, they can last for up to 5 years and still smell wonderful.
- For a kid-safe version, omit the glue and add an extra tablespoon of applesauce (they’ll be more delicate).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Christmas Decorations
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
