In addition to decorating a Christmas tree in the house, I
like to give the birds a holiday tree filled with treats. Making birdseed
ornaments is also a fun craft to do with children during this season,
especially the gooey part where you squish the mixture into cookie cutters.
The gooiest ones are made with suet that you mix with birdseed,
then press into cookie cutters. When you remove them from the cookie cutters, add
a paper clip or string as a hanger, then put them in the freezer to harden. You
can also make suet balls with nuts and seeds mixed into them.
Here is an easy recipe made with gelatin instead of suet.
½ cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 Tablespoons corn syrup
¾ cup flour
4 cups bird seed
Non-stick cooking spray
Twine
Heat the water and stir in the gelatin and corn syrup and
remove from stove. Mix the flour and birdseed together in a large bowl. Add it
to the gelatin mixture and let it cool. Place cookie cutters on parchment
paper. Use the non-stick cooking spray here. Press the mixture into the cookie
cutters. Make a hole with a toothpick or straw for the hanging twine. Carefully
separate from the cookie cutters and let them dry for a few hours or overnight.
Thread the twine through the hole.
Then go outside and decorate a tree for the birds!
Do you have special things you do for wildlife at Christmas?
Alicia Street is a USA
Today bestselling author and a Daphne du Maurier
award-winner. A compulsive reader of every genre, she writes
both sweet and spicy romance. She spent many years as a dancer,
choreographer and teacher.
Alicia loves to connect with readers~
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Alicia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the motivation. I'm going to try this and fee the birds.
This is such a great idea. Thanks for the recipe. I have a hummingbird feeder outside. I'll have to try making these ornaments for the other birds so they won't feel left out. :)
ReplyDeleteI love to watch the birds at my feeder. Love your ideas for feeding birds.
ReplyDelete