Sometimes, a grocery bag will reveal an entire story. Well, that happened to one Walmart customer when she unboxed her groceries and realized that her items were not just random, but exactly what she needed to follow the infamous salt dough ornament recipe from Grandma Betty.
Grandma Betty Conley, also known by the name @bettyconley602, has been creating for the past 45 years, and her latest craze that took the internet by storm this holiday season includes making gingerbread ornament bears using flour, instant coffee, ribbon, and polyurethane spray. The art of creating salt dough ornament, long rooted in the history of holiday events, with their simplicity and nostalgic factor, has seen the latest intersection of craft culture and DIY culture and an increased number of enthusiasts taking to this art.
Chelsea, a stay-at-home mom and social media influencer, was shocked and amused by the contents of Walmart groceries she received. Polyurethane spray, ribbon, instant coffee, and flour were all packaged together in a single bag. For people who are aware of the viral videos created by Grandma Betty, there is no doubt about the association. “There’s no way out of all of the stuff that they bagged these items together. I think that’s so funny,” Chelsea said in the video, which has received over 1.1 million views.
The audience quickly hit back. Some laughed about this coincidence and said, “I was going to try my hand at making some Grandma Betty ornaments too.” A Walmart employee even confirmed, “As a Walmart digital shopper, we do know. I love seeing people buy stuff for TikTok crafts and meals!” But not everyone was amused. Several raised concerns about the safety of bagging chemicals with food. “Technically that’s against the rules,” one noted. Another warned, “They never should have put food with that spray.”
Such concerns, far from being innocuous, must be considered because safe food handling practices, not to mention Walmart’s own regulations, stipulate that chemicals must be packaged separately from food. A slight leakage from a package that contains chemicals may release harmful materials into food products. According to the CDC, each year 48 million Americans each year suffer from foodborne illness, and thousands must seek hospital care or worse.
Experts agree that separating and preventing contamination are the initial steps to maintaining a clean diet. In supermarkets, for instance, cleaning agents such as cleaning spray or sealants should never be mixed with other food products in carts, bags, or storage. Another example would include separating raw meat, vegetables, seafood, eggs, and prepared meats from other foods in order to avoid cross-contaminating bacteria. Raw fruits and vegetables can also carry contaminants in terms of pesticides.
Although salt dough ornament-making is safe if done carefully, it may involve the use of materials such as polyurethane spray, which isn’t safe for consumption. It therefore becomes even more important to ensure that such chemicals do not come into contact with ingredients meant for consumption. Flour, for instance, can come into direct contact with ingredients meant for consumption.
The cultural appeal of salt dough ornaments is in its historical roots. For many years, the making of these ornaments using a combination of ingredients like flour, salt, and water has been a family activity as children create their own holiday-themed mementos. This traditional activity has significant meaning as children create handprints or even the prints of pets, which then become cherished ornaments every year. Modern trends on social media platforms have revived this activity of making salt dough ornaments.
Amid the crafting fever, it’s easy to remember that even when being creative brings us together, safety has to come first. Whether searching for supplies for your tree decorations or the fixings for the holiday feast, the simple act of keeping chemicals and food separate can prevent big problems. And for those pursuing the crafting lesson by Grandma Betty, the simple pleasure of making something beautiful can be experienced all the more for appreciating every ingredient along the way.
