Simple Journey Ministries Presents

School Days!

Gingerbread Ornaments

I have seen some great posts with pictures over the years of families who have taken the time to make true gingerbread houses at Christmas time. However, this is NOT my style. I get frustrated making this with graham crackers! But I like the traditional gingerbread scent and gingerbread “people.” I also like to incorporate at least one traditional Christmas craft into our schooling in the Christmas season. I admit I have never been able to make good gingerbread. Alas alack, your “I can only make drop style cookies” friend here, had to find a simple way to  accomplish a similar craft. What I came up with was changing up my applesauce ornaments recipe just a bit and letting the kids make “gingerbread” ornaments. We use these as special gift accessories to personalize packaging. These smell GREAT and are perfect air fresheners for gift recipients. Although it is the day after Christmas, you may still have a few gifts that have not yet been delivered. Make a list of recipients with a few ideas of ornament designs and let your kids make these! This is a FUN, Festive, and Creative project! Even if you do not have any gifts yet to give, this is a wonderful activity that can stretch out the Christmas holiday AND provide an easy and frugal activity to keep the kids entertained when they O.D. on their Christmas gifts.

Gingerbread Ornaments

¾ c applesauce

¾ c ground cinnamon

2 TBSP ground ginger

3 TBSP white glue

Acrylic craft paint

Wax paper

Rolling pins

String/Ribbon

Chopstick

Mix all four ingredients in a bowl until you get dough that is not sticky.

Roll dough on wax paper until ¼ inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.

Use chopstick to poke hole in top of ornaments.

Allow to dry for 2-3 days.

When completely dry, use ribbon or string to hang on present or use the ornaments on your own tree!

These are my thoughts.