DIY - Make Your Own Ornaments

Every year there is the dilemma... what to give a teacher? What to give the grandparents? Some are easier to find gifts for than others.

A few years ago, a friend gave me this very easy and inexpensive recipe for ornaments. It has now become a tradition in our house. We make them every year and give them to teachers, bus drivers, Sunday School teachers, grandparents, even the mail carrier!

Cinnamon Ornaments
(printable recipe) 
 

Supplies/Ingredients:

• ¾ Cup applesauce
• 1 Cup cinnamon (4.12 oz bottle)
• wax paper
• rolling pin
  
• cookie cutters
• 1 drinking straw
  

Directions:
1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon with hands in small bowl until smooth ball of dough is formed.

2. Using ~¼ of dough, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness between sheets of wax paper.

3. Peel off top sheet, cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter.

4. Make a hole in top with drinking straw.

5. Place ornaments on a lined baking sheet.*

6. Let stand 2-3 days, turning occasionally, until dry. OR, bake 2½ hours @ 200°.

7. Insert ribbon through hole and tie.

Notes:
* It is very important to line the baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment. If you dry them on an unlined baking sheet, the ornaments will react with the metal and discolor.
One recipe makes enough for 7 teachers, 1 bus driver and 3 grandparents for us, but it depends on the size of your ornaments.
You can get more ornaments by rolling the dough thinner, however thinner ornaments tend to break more easily.
You may also decorate these with opaque paint.

These ornaments are a whole lot of fun to make with the kids. They're also super cheap and that definitely Works for Me!

Do you have a fun craft you like to make with the kids each year?