Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments

Cute and delicious Christmas gingerbread

Edible Ornaments

It occurred to me that the gingerbread cookie ornaments would be a good one for kids to make. I'm not sure what the best ages would be....my kids are long gone and I don't remember what age kids are when they do what. I would think, though, that once they're in grade one or two they could probably make something out of gingerbread that they can feel proud of. I suppose that if they're good with play-doh, they'll do well with gingerbread cookie dough.

The recipe for the gingerbread cookie ornaments is in the October postings (Oct. 30th, I think). You're going to want to roll out the dough between wax paper for the little ones. Make it about 1/4" thick. Let the kids use the cookie cutter they like, and then show them how to safely and carefully trim away the scraps (or you do it and let them watch). Before baking their decorations, poke a hole through the top with a wooden skewer or something similar. I would twist it through as this will make a slightly larger hole that will stay open a bit better. You may want to check the cookies half way through the baking process to see if you need to poke the hole through again.

One the cookies are baked and cooled, let the children decorate their treasures with icing. If you don't make your own, you can buy the pre-made variety in a tube. They might be easier for small hands to use. After the child has finished decorating the gingerbread, help him or her put a ribbon through the hole and tie.

A young child will then have made something that they can hang on the tree, use as a decoration elsewhere, put on a gift, or give to someone. It will be special no matter what because you and your little ones spent time together and they'll feel like they've done this on their own.