Christmas is not far away and I'm sure you're looking for Christmas tree decorations. Well look no further, today we have this super cute and easy Christmas Gingerbread ornament that you can make with the little ones at home or in the classroom. Enjoy!
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Festive & Sweet: These gingerbread ornaments add a deliciously cute touch to your holiday tree with their warm, cozy appeal.
- Perfect for Gifting: Handmade gingerbread ornaments make thoughtful and personalized gifts for friends and family this holiday season.
- Long-Lasting Holiday Keepsake: These ornaments are perfect for starting a new holiday tradition, creating lasting memories that can be used for years to come.
The History of Gingerbread
Why do we have gingerbread at Christmas?
Starting in the early 19th century, people began to make pastry cutouts of houses and trees as decorations for their holiday feasts. Today, many people enjoy the pastries as snacks anytime throughout the year. Gingerbread has become a main ingredient for these tasty treats.
The tradition of eating gingerbread during the holidays may have started with a German tradition, where people baked and ate gingerbread on December 24th to commemorate the life of St. Barbara. She was a wealthy woman who gave away her riches to help the poor.
Making Gingerbread decorations is a great way to teach kids about the history of gingerbread and the importance of helping the poor, being kind and serving one another during the Christmas season.
🎨 Supplies Needed
🖌️ How to Make This Gingerbread Ornament
- Step 1: To make this decoration you may want to paint the background brown in advance. When ready get some white and black paint.
- Step 2: Paint eyes and a mouth using black paint and a white icing sugar squiggle across the upper part of your gingerbread character.
- Step 3: Cut out a small bow and cheeks for your gingerbread girl ornament. Cut out a green bow for your gingerbread man decoration. Glue the bows and cheeks onto your wooden slice ornaments as shown below.
- Step 4: These are super cute gingerbread decorations and something the kids will enjoy making. These make a great tree decoration. Alternatively you can make a garland or gift these decorations as a Christmas present.
These Gingerbread Ornaments are super cute we have plenty of fun and easy Christmas ornament ideas which are similar yet unique. Check them out today!
You might like to make some different Christmas ornaments. We have around 50 fantastic designs and ideas here on The Inspiration Edit. Check them out!
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💡 Pro Tip: Encourage kids to add their names or the year on the back of each ornament. This transforms the craft into a cherished keepsake that captures holiday memories.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Surface Preparation: Before painting, lightly sand the wooden slices to ensure a smooth surface, which helps the paint adhere better and results in a cleaner finish.
- Paint Consistency: Use a palette to mix your acrylic paints to the desired consistency, preventing drips and ensuring even coverage on the ornaments.
- Detailing Tools: Employ fine-tipped brushes or toothpicks for intricate details like facial features or decorative patterns, allowing for greater control and precision.
- Drying Time: Allow each layer of paint to dry completely before adding additional colors or details to prevent smudging and maintain crisp lines.
- Sealant Application: After the paint has dried, apply a clear sealant to protect the ornament's surface and enhance its durability over time.
- Hanging Mechanism: Ensure the twine or ribbon used for hanging is securely attached by tying a firm knot and reinforcing it with a dab of glue if necessary.
💭 FAQs
Following step-by-step instructions to create ornaments helps children understand the order of operations. This practice strengthens their ability to process and execute tasks in a logical sequence.
Choosing colors, patterns, and embellishments encourages children to make choices and evaluate outcomes. This activity fosters critical thinking and personal expression.
🖌️ Related Crafts
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