The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 10: Christmas is for the Birds

Inside: Christmas is for the birds–when you make these cute birdseed ornaments. Nice stocking stuffer for the birdwatcher on your list!

Christmas is for the Birds

I’ve been wanting to make these birdseed ornaments for a while now. They make an awfully cute little “thinking of you” gift at Christmas, or anytime, really. It’s a great alternative to more cookies and candies–although I’m certainly not against a good confection! But there are always those folks with special diets or watching what they eat, even at Christmas, if you can believe that!

My niece Victoria agreed to be my model today. She also happens to be the subject of one of my favorite early posts, “Way to Go, Birds!” So it was only fitting that she hung the birdseed ornament.

These ornaments are fairly simple to make, with a few cautions. Working with unflavored gelatin can be a little tricky. The first time it took a little while for the gelatin to dissolve, and by the time it did, it was so thick the birdseed stuck to my fingers when I tried pressing it in the cookie cutters. The second time I decided to sprinkle the gelatin on top of cold water and then bring it to a boil. The gelatin dissolved well, but I didn’t let it get hot enough, and the birdseed didn’t quickly soak up the liquid. So I used a little more birdseed, and it didn’t stick together quite as well, though I was able to more easily press the seed into the cookie cutters.

I suggest having all of the ingredients ready to go because you’ll need to work quickly. The birdseed dries fast–which is why you shouldn’t double the recipe. Make small batches instead, and definitely try making a couple of batches to get the hang of it.

And give these ornaments time to dry. Overnight would be best. I dried mine for several hours, and the thinner ones were ready, but the thicker ones weren’t quite there.

Birdseed ornament hanging in a tree. — I’m eager to see how much the birds eat by tomorrow.

The birds are waiting! Let’s get to the directions. . .

You Will Need:

3/4 to 1 cup of birdseed
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup of cold water
cookie cutters, lightly greased
twine and ribbon (for decorating and using as a hanger)
parchment paper (waxed paper will also work)

Directions:

In a saucepan, add water and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Mix well and bring the liquid to a simmer, continuously stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool briefly–a minute–and stir in 3/4 cup of birdseed until liquid is absorbed. (You may need to add the rest of the cup, but don’t go beyond that or the birdseed won’t stick together as well.)

Have a piece of parchment paper spread out to use as a work surface and for the ornaments to dry. Fill cookie cutters halfway, place a piece of twine, ends at the bottom and loop extending over the top. Fill in the rest of the cookie cutter with the birdseed, packing and pressing it in and making sure to get the mixture into all the corners.

Let ornaments dry overnight–at the very least several hours. When they’re dried, gently push the ornaments out of the cookie cutters. Add decorative ribbons and hang on a tree branch, preferably close to another branch where birds can perch to eat.

Yields 3 or 4 small to medium ornaments, depending on the size of the cookie cutters.

Use for gifts or give yourself a present and enjoy watching all the birds stop by!