How to Make Gingerbread X-mas Ornaments

Have you been looking for an easy craft to do with your kids for the holidays? These gingerbread men ornaments are not hard to do, and your kids will love decorating them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gingerbread mix
• Cookie cutter
• Magic markers
• Scrap of material
• Hemp Twine

1. 
    
   LET THEM GET HARD

   I used real gingerbread making these ornaments, I just love the smell and the texture, but you may want to use a dough craft. Make the mix according to package directions, although I omitted the egg. Roll the dough out on a floured cloth to keep the dough from sticking. My gingerbread men are made using a 7.5" cookie cutter, but use what you have. I found that when making these it was easier to cut a few at a time and lift the cloth to roll the shape over into my hand to then put on the baking sheet. You will need a hole at the top of the ornament to thread a piece of twine thru, so I use a regular drinking straw. Just allow 1/4" of room above the hole for added strength. Simply twist the straw and pull up, blow thru the straw to remove the dough you removed from the cookie. The hole may look large, but it will fill in somewhat as it bakes. Bake as directed. Check all the holes when you remove the cookies from the oven, for any that have filled in somewhat, take a toothpick and round out the hole. Cool cookies on racks to allow them to totally dry. I let mine set out all night so they actually became hard.

2. 
    
   LET THE KIDS DRAW FACES

   The first step in decorating your gingerbread is to do the face. I used permanent markers, easier than paint and simple to draw with. I only drew eyes and a smile, but there's no right or wrong way here. Let your kids do what they want....it usually turns into a very fun time. When the face is all done and has dried, cut equal pieces of twine to make a hanging loop for the "boys". If your having trouble getting the twine thru the hole, take a nail or bamboo skewer and gently ream the hole out. Thread the twine thru the hole and knot the twine.

3. 
    
   DECORATE HOW YOU WANT

   I wanted to add little mufflers to my gingerbread, so I found a 2' piece of scrap material. I cut 5/8" strips of material about a foot long. Then fold the strip in half and press with your iron. I cut the ends of the strip at an angle and tied around the neck of each "boy". I then used a gold felt tip marker to write the names of all my family members. Since we all have dogs, I used my bone cookie cutter to make ornaments for all the pets as well. It was a good time.........

Tips & Warnings

• Add a few minutes to the baking time for the gingerbread. You want them to be hard. Don't forget to check the hole and enlarge if necessary. These "cookies" will last for years if taken care of, just handle carefully.
• THIS IS A WARNING: the first year I made these and hung them on the tree, they looked so darn cute, we all loved them! Then one nite we all went out, leaving our faithful Lab in charge. Well you guessed it, those's gingerbread smelled so good that when we got home the tree was on it's side and there wasn't a crumb left of my ornaments! So, if you go out and leave your dog home maybe remove them and take away temptation!

[smiletimes4]

on 5/18/2009 Great x-mas craft!

[Hode]

on 12/21/2008 I love making gingerbread men and then letting my teenagers decorate them. They specialize in the broken ones, painting them with red icing for blood and making crazy faces. We use real icing because they are going to be eaten.

[gatorgirl182]

on 12/20/2008 I just love gingerbread men! 5 Stars!

[thesquirrelymom]

on 12/19/2008 These are absolutely adorable! I bet they smell great, to!

[2enjoylife]

on 12/17/2008 We were just trying to make gingerbread houses, but I think ornaments will be more successful for us:)*****