Using just a few supplies and some time, you can create home-made ornaments that look like a million, but cost only pennies. This is a wonderful family project.

Use these gingerbread men ornaments to decorate the tree, adding lights and candycanes to complete the look; or use them to attach to greenery garlands for a warm, welcoming look to your home. (These ornaments are not edible, but keep reading to end of instructions for a holiday idea using real gingerbread men that is sure to be a hit at your holiday dinner!)

Supplies:

Flour (any amount - start with 2 cups)

Salt (an equal amount)

Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters, any size desired

Paper Clips, Large, for large gingerbread men Small, for small gingerbread men

Tulip Fabric Paint in a white irridescent color. (Do not use a cream color.) (Use the kind of paint that comes in a squeezable bottle, where the paint comes out of a long, pointed nozzle)

Polyurethane Stain, a light wood color, in gloss or semi-gloss (This is a combination of polyurethane and stain in one product. You can find small cans of this in paint or hardware stores.)

Disposable paint brush

How To:

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix the salt and flour together, adding enough water to make a dough. Roll out on a flat surface to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick, and cut with the cookie cutters. Place on a baking sheet.

Open up paperclip, to form a "hook", and insert the smaller half into the dough at the top of the head of the gingerbread man.

Bake at 325 degrees till done, about 20 to 30 minutes. Check often to be certain not to burn them.

When done, cool ornaments. Brush off any excess flour. Using the paint, "frost" the cookies with faces, mittens, buttons, etc. as desired. Let the paint dry for at least half a day.

When paint is dry on cookies, use the disposable paint brush to brush on the polyurethane stain. Let dry for 24 hours before using in any decorations.

These ornaments look like REAL yummy home-made cookies, not the "computer printout" kind you see in craft/gift shops. Each is an individual, and lasts year after year.

Enjoy!

Other holiday idea: Make REAL gingerbread men, as large as possible, and use REAL frosting to write dinner guest's names on them. Place them on the plates of your holiday dinner table to use as placecards. A guaranteed big hit!