Outdoor Tree Ornaments

Written By Catherine Trame

Birdseed Ornaments

Makes 12 ornaments

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 8 hours

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups birdseed

  • 2 Packages Unflavoured Gelatin

  • 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup

  • 3/4 cup Water

  • 12 Cookie Cutters, lightly greased*

  • Twine and/or ribbon

  • Parchment or waxed paper

Instructions

  • Pour the gelatin on top of 1/2 cup cold water then pour 1/4 cup hot water into bowl. Mix. Keep stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

  • Once dissolved, add the corn syrup and stir until that is dissolved also.

  • Add the bird seed, stir, refrigerate for ten minutes until it firms up.

  • Place the cookie cutters on a parchment or waxed paper on a baking sheet. (You can make the ornaments right on the counter, but a baking sheet allows for them to be easily moved aside later.) Fill each ornament halfway with the birdseed mixture. Lay a piece of twine down the length of the cookie cutter. Fill the cookie cutter to the top with remaining birdseed mixture, making sure to pack it down firmly. Allow the ornaments to dry for several hours or overnight. Once completely dried, gently press the ornaments out of the cookie cutters. If desired, add a decorative ribbon and hang on a tree branch for the birds to enjoy!

Storage: If not hanging the ornaments outside right away, they may be stored in an airtight container for a day or two in a cool, dry place. For longer storage, it's best to freeze them. Once moisture is introduced, seed is prone to mold and sprouting, which can still develop in the refrigerator. Additionally, seed moths or their larvae are sometimes already present in birdseed. Although this doesn't mean the seed has gone bad, moisture and humid conditions will hasten their development.

Pine Cone Ornaments

Ingredients

      • Natural Peanut Butter

      • Birdseed

      • Open Pinecones

      • Twine

Instructions

  • Cut out a piece of twine or string about 10 inches long and tie it to the top of your pinecone. Tie a slip knot and tighten it around the top of the pinecone. Then tie the ends of the twine together to make a loop to hang the pinecone from.

  • Place a scoop of peanut butter (I used less than a tablespoon, but feel free to add more) on a plate or paper towel.

  • Then carefully spread the peanut butter onto the pinecone with a knife, making sure you get a little bit on each one of the pinecone scales.

  • Keep the mess down by making your pinecones on a paper towel, paper plate, or cookie sheet.

  • The more peanut butter you add, the more birdseed you can stick to your pinecone and the longer your bird feeder will feed the birds!

  • Once you’re happy with the amount of peanut butter, grip the pinecone at both the top and bottom (hopefully you left yourself a clean area to hold onto), and dip it into a bowl of birdseed.

  • Dip and roll all sides of the pinecone until the peanut butter is completely covered with birdseed.

  • Set aside until ready to hang

Catherine Trame
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COLD CANNING/PRESERVING