CLAY GIFT TRIMS

Doubling up as a tree decoration, these clay tags make a lovely alternative to paper. You can still add the recipient’s name or initial, either on the back or by painting or stamping it to the front. These can also be made with salt dough.

YOU WILL NEED

Air-drying clay Chopping board Rolling pin Festive rubber stamps (we used a star, snowflake and a Christmas tree) Cookie cutters (we used stars and a round) Cocktail stick Sandpaper Red and white paint Small and fine paintbrushes

Baker’s twine

TO MAKE

❶ Take out a piece of clay and place it on the chopping board. Roll it out until it’s roughly 5-8mm thick.

❷ Take one of your rubber stamps and, making sure it is clean of any ink, press it down on to the clay.

❸ Place a cookie cutter around the clay, so the stamped shape is centralised. Press down, then remove the clay from around the edge.

❹ Use a cocktail stick to make a hole through the clay at the top, not too close to the edge. Wiggle it around to widen the hole.

❺ Continue stamping and cutting out shapes from the clay. Some don’t even need holes made in them, you can use them as table scatter!

❻ You can then use a cocktail stick or a straw to add further decoration. Leave the shapes to dry overnight – they will dry quicker if they are near a radiator.

❼ Once completely dry, use sandpaper to smooth rough edges. Paint some of them red and leave some the natural white colour of the clay. You can add white dots, or paint over the stamped design, once the red paint has dried.

❽ Finally, loop through some baker’s twine and attach them to your gifts. ➺