It’s hard to come up with the perfect gift for parents, teachers, neighbors, aunt and uncles, and family friends. Birdseed ornaments are fun to make and economical, too — and your feathered friends will thank you! 🐦
At first glance, a recipe featuring birdseed might suggest that I’m dishing up unappetizing diet fare as punishment for overloaded Thanksgiving plates and a few too many turkey sandwiches. Rest assured. I would never do that!
Conversely, after long hours spent preparing a holiday feast, the cook has earned the right to coast on leftovers for a while. And while it may be a little early for gingerbread men and sand tarts, those cookie cutters can be put to good use with a fun project that pulls double duty as a thoughtful gift or present topper.
When my sons were little, we began what became an annual ritual of making homemade gifts for relatives and teachers. The boys always felt a sense of pride giving a little something in which they invested their time and effort, and we always had fun in the process.
Over the years, we chose projects with the hopes that the items could be readily used, consumed, or tucked away with the holiday decorations to be revisited in future years as a special keepsake. Visions of the gift recipients’ closets and drawers always lurked in the back of my mind. Space is always at a premium—no need to contribute clutter!
The first time we made these ornaments, I was certain the relentless invaders of our backyard birdfeeders would make quick work of them. To my surprise, the squirrels largely ignored them. They hold up quite well and, topped with a colorful ribbon, look pretty amidst the leafless trees.
On that note, I recently read that mixing some cayenne pepper with the birdseed destined for traditional feeders will keep the squirrels at bay without bothering the birds. Though we haven’t yet put this tip to use, I thought it worth mentioning for those who end up watching more squirrels than birds.
Birdseed Ornaments
Ingredients
- ¾ to 1 cup birdseed
- 1 packet (.25 ounce or 7 grams) of gelatin (unflavored—I use Knox)
- ¼ cup boiling water
- Cookie cutters, lightly greased*
- Twine and/or ribbon
- Parchment or waxed paper
Instructions
- Combine the gelatin and the water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for one minute. Stir in ¾ cup birdseed, adding extra as needed until all the liquid is absorbed. (You won’t want to add much more than 1 cup, otherwise there won’t be enough “glue” to bind the birdseed once dried.)
- 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.
Notes
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