Last Updated on December 12, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh

If you have a new fur baby this holiday season, you’ve got to celebrate it. Make puppy’s first Christmas a memorable one by making this DIY Paw Print Ornament. You can easily make this homemade ornament for pennies, with supplies you probably already have in your home. After a few hours and a little bit of effort, you’ll have a wonderful gift that you’ll cherish year after year.

We brought home our new puppy this year – Tano – and we’re making sure he’s a spoiled pup for the holiday season. They grow so fast and I want to really remember this time of his life. There’s no better way to commemorate the occasion than making this Paw Print Ornament. 

Honestly, I used my kid’s hands to make ornaments from this salt dough recipe and then had the idea to do a paw print too. So if you’ve got kids, they can make some handprint ornaments too. Salt dough is so versatile and you just bake it in the oven for it to harden. 

After your ornament bakes, you can decorate it however you want! It’s so easy and all your puppy needs to do is offer their paw for an imprint.

Related: Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Bones Recipe

How To Make A Dog Paw Print Ornament

The only materials you’ll need are a mixing bowl, spoon and a kitchen roller for dough. If you don’t have a kitchen roller, I highly recommend investing in one. They’re so versatile and you can use it for many holiday recipes.

What You’ll Need To Make Your Paw Print Ornament:

• All-Purpose Flour
• Table Salt
• Water
• Rolling Pin
• Mixing Bowl
• Ribbon
• Straw
• Baking Sheet
• Drinking Glass
• Optional: Paint Or Sharpie Market, Mod Podge

How To Decorate Your Puppy Paw Print

After you’ve baked your ornament and it’s cooled, you can decorate your paw print however you’d like. I used a sharpie to color in the paw print and left the rest alone. If you want to paint it, you can use any craft paint to do so.

I like a finished look, so I added Mod Podge on top of the paw print after dried. It’s a sealer that will add a gloss finish and protect the ornament for years. I chose to use it, but it’s entirely optional.

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Your DIY Paw Print Ornament

Preheat the oven to 250º. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 2 cups of flour, 1 cup table salt and 3/4 cup water. Use your hands to mix the ingredients and it will form a dough.

If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour. However, I notice that I have to add a teeny bit more water to make sure its well combined. 

Knead the dough 3 or 4 times. Roll it out to 1/4-inch thick.

Hold your dog (you may need assistance) and press their paw to make an imprint in the dough. Make sure you evenly press down all areas and sides of their paw.

Cut out the paw print by using the rim of a drinking glass. Toss any extra dough. Use a straw to make a hole for the ribbon.

Place the ornament onto a baking sheet and bake for 2 1/2 hours. It should be hard when finished. Let it cool. Decorate however you like and add ribbon through the hole to tie and finish the ornament. Hang it on your Christmas tree!