Treats for the Birds for Valentine’s Day

My husband loves to feed the birds. We both enjoy sitting at our kitchen table watching the numerous wild birds come to our feeders. There are two large forsythia bushes near the feeders where the birds can take refuge. Since Valentine’s Day is almost here I decided to make some treats for the birds.

I wanted to make some birdseed ornaments to hang in the trees to give the birds an extra treat. I didn’t need any special equipment; everything needed to make these I had on hand.

Treats for the Birds

This is what I used:

4 feet of ¼ inch wide ribbon, cut into 12-inch long sections
2 envelops of Knox gelatin
1 ½ cups birdseed (Mixed seed works best)
Baking sheet lined with wax paper
Four cookie cutters of any shape, about 4 inches by 4 inches
Cooking spray

Directions:

This makes about 4- 8 cookie cutter ornaments depending on the size of the cookie cutter.

Combine the gelatin with ½ cup of boiling water. Stir well to dissolve the gelatin.

Add the birdseed.

Stir well; if the mixture is too watery add a little more seed until it is stiff but sticky.

Place the cookie cutters on your prepared baking sheet. I chose heart shapes for Valentine’s Day. Lightly coat each cookie cutter with cooking spray.

Fill each cookie cutter halfway with birdseed.

Before the birdseed hardens push a straw through the mix to create a little hole for your ribbon. Firmly press the mix with your hands or the back of a spoon.

After a few hours, coax each ornament onto fresh waxed paper. Let dry, turning them over every so often, for about 72 hours or until hard. Hang the ornaments outside for the birds to enjoy!

We often treat each other for Valentine’s Day, but it’s nice to make some treats for the birds to enjoy as well!