Cinnamon Scented Gingerbread Ornaments

Would you like to make special holiday memories with your family? Do you need activities to help you recreate an old-fashioned Christmas? This old-fashioned cinnamon scented ornament recipe and the display suggestions may be just what you’re looking for.

Ingredients:

3/4 to 1 c. applesauce (not chunky)
1 (4.12 oz.) bottle ground cinnamon
1/2 tbsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. ground nutmeg

whole cloves (eyes - optional)
1 bag cinnamon candy dots (mouth - optional)
various decorations

Alternatives:

Instead of adding ground cloves into the dough mixture, you can use whole cloves to create a face for a gingerbread man. Before the ornament dries, simply push a whole clove into the dough where you’d like. You can use the cloves to make eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc. You may also like to add cinnamon candies for decorations.

**DO NOT use cinnamon candy if you intend to oven-dry. The candy will melt.**

Instructions:

Mix applesauce and cinnamon together to form a very stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. In each ornament, make a hole, large enough to insert a ribbon or string for hanging. Carefully place ornaments on a rack to dry. Let air dry several days, turning occasionally. You may prefer to bake the ornaments in the oven at 150 degrees for 5-6 hours. Please make sure the ornaments dry slowly. If they dry too quickly, the edges tend to crack.

Display Ideas:

1. The traditional way to display these ornaments is to hang them on the Christmas tree. There are also other great ways to display these sweet smelling holiday accents. Here are just a few ideas for you.
2. Crochet a chain-stitch garland from red or green yarn. Attach the ornaments to the chain. Drape the chain over hooks, which are located at the edge of the mantle or on a door. You can also use as accents on your artificial fir or holly garland.
3. If you use gingerbread boy or girl cookie cutters, add a hole in the middle of each “hand.” When dry, connect the ornaments in paperdoll style. Thread a narrow but sturdy ribbon in the holes. Tie a tight bow in the ribbon between the figures. Hang on the mantle, a door, or anywhere you’d like.
4. Arrange ornaments in decorative tins. Occasionally take the lid off to release the cinnamon scent into the room. Consider placing these tins in several rooms in the house for a quick room freshener.
5. To keep the holiday spirit going all day, place one or more of the ornaments in your car. You can add a couple in the back window, glove compartment, door pockets, under the seat, or even hang it from one of the clothes hooks in the back seat.

*Please note that these ornaments are not edible.

Spend time in the kitchen with your kids this year. Whether you choose to make the old-fashioned cinnamon scented ornaments in the shape of gingerbread men or other holiday symbols, your kids are sure to remember the Christmas you made ornaments together.

Recommended:

I have great childhood memories of making cinnamon scented ornaments with my mom. Sadly, the cinnamon ornaments don’t last forever. For this reason, I created a keepsake ornament based on this activity (pictured left.)

Click on the graphic to grab one of these gingerbread man ornaments as a keepsake reminder of the time you made cinnamon ornaments for Christmas.

Happy Holidays!