HEIRLOOM ORNAMENTS: SMELLY OR COLORED?
by Brooke Halperin

The holidays will soon be here and it’s not too early to think about what you will be giving to the special people in your life.  Whether your family is big or small a personalized ornament makes a great gift.  And best of all, they come from your own hands and heart! (Ask an adult to help out).

Sweet Smelling Offering

You will need:

• 1 cup cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• ¾ cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons white glue
• Pen or pencil
• Marker
• Rolling pin

1. In a bowl mix all ingredients.  With your hands work the dough for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth.
2. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness, no thinner or ornaments will fall apart!
3. Cut dough with cookie cutters of your choice, be creative.  Puncture a hole through the top of the hole with a pen/pencil.  This hole will be used to put a ribbon or ornament hanger once completed.
4. Let air dry for 24 hours (or more) until dried out. Once dry add ribbon to hang from tree.  With a marker write to whom the gift is going and the year it was made on the back for future memories.

Vibrant Adornment

You will need:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/3 – 1 cup water
• Craft paint
• Pen or pencil
• Marker
• Rolling pin
• Cookie sheet

1. In a bowl, mix flour and salt, add oil.  Add water until flour becomes dough like.
2. Cut dough with cookie cutters of your choice, be creative.  Puncture a hole through the top of the hole with a pen/pencil.  This hole will be used to put a ribbon or ornament hanger once completed.
3. Put on cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for an hour.  Remove from oven and cool.
4. When cool, paint using gloss craft paint.  You can also add wiggly eyes or even clothing cut from felt.  With a permanent marker write to whom the gift is going and the year it was made on the back for future memories.

Remember when storing your ornaments it’s a good idea to pack each one separately in a zip-lock baggie to protect them from breakage.