A couple years ago we started making bird seed ornaments for the kids’ great-grandmother. She is one of those people who is hard to buy for, but really appreciates and loves homemade items from the kids.
Great-grandma is avid bird lover and often sits on her sun porch and watches the birds in her backyard. For the last two years we have made her homemade bird seed ornaments for Christmas.
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The kids get so much more excited when they have put time and creativity into their gifts. They always have stories to share about making their gifts. Great-grandma loves to sit on her porch and watch the birds feast on these yummy snacks while remembering her great grand-kids.
Last year we tried a couple different bird seed ornament recipes. After a little experimenting we came up with these ornaments that use lard or shortening to bind the bird see. They work best in the colder months; making them perfect Christmas gifts. The shortening would melt and go bad in warmer months. For a warmer weather homemade bird seed feeder, try these made from toilet paper rolls.
Supplies:
- Shortening or lard
- Bird Seed
- Cookie Cutters or Mini Round Cake Pan
- Straws
- Twine
Instructions:
1. Add one 1 – 1 1/4 cups of bird seed to a bowl.
2. Melt shorting or lard and add 1/2 cup to the bird seed. Stir
3. Spoon into cookie cutters or pan. If using cookie cutters some of the melted shortening/lard may seep out, but you will still have enough in your mixture.
4. Cut a straw into about 3 inch pieces. Place straw pieces into the bird seed mixture puncturing all the way through to make a hole for the twine. Place in the freezer for at least six hours for the shortening to hardened.
5. Remove the ornament from the cookie cutters and thread twine though the hole and knot to form a loop. Hang from a tree or store in the freezer for later use.
Do you enjoy making homemade gifts with your kids? Fine more homemade gift inspiration at Teach-Me-Mommy.
