Celebrating Christmas:
Cinnamon Ornaments
Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most traditional parts of the holiday season. Many people are going back to the old ways, having homemade Christmas’s, giving homemade gifts, sharing of themselves and not just of their wallets. Here is a very simple craft that even the youngest can use to get into the spirit of the holiday.
Ingredients:
¾ to 1 cup of applesauce (using the cheap stuff is just fine)
1 (4.12 oz.) bottle ground cinnamon*
Directions:
1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon together to form a fairly stiff dough.
2. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. You can sprinkle your rolling pin with more powdered cinnamon if it is sticking.
3. Cut with any shape cookie cutters or free hand with a sharp knife. Again, use more powdered cinnamon on your cutter or knife if it is sticking to the dough.
4. Make a hole for ribbon using a drinking straw.
5. Carefully place on rack to dry.
6. Let air dry several days, turning occasionally. If you prefer they may be baked at 150 degrees for 5-6 hours, but this isn’t really necessary as they air dry quite well.
*You can cut way back on the expense of this craft by checking the shelves of your local discount stores (Wal-mart, Dollar Tree, Big Lots, etc.) for spices. Sometimes I can catch the 5 oz. Bottles of powdered cinnamon on sale for 59 cents each. I can afford to make lots of ornaments that way.
This is also a nice group craft for scouts, church groups, co-ops, etc.
