This little Gingerbread Man Ornament have been in our lives for many, many years. A retired teacher I know showed me hers and I have tweaked it and have made a class set each year for my students and children. They make sweet little parents or grandparents gift, even package toppers! The above picture is my sample.
I pre-make the gingerbread and they decorate. I set out ribbon, buttons, markers, and sometimes glitter glue. Their creations are so much more creative and interesting than mine! I love when they add bows and bow ties, make button mouths, draw on a necklace and more. I show them mine and let them know that they can use the same ideas, but that I would really like to see a gingerbread boy or girl with more creative decoration. (Then I hide my sample from view so that they use their own ideas, not mine) Affiliate links
Materials Needed for Gingerbread Man Ornament
paper bag,
white felt or fleece,
a small ribbon,
scissors,
a sewing machine and
buttons
How to make a Gingerbread Man Ornament:
1.Trace a gingerbread shape on the paper.
2. Layer 2 pieces of the paper bag and the white felt and cut the gingerbread shape through all layers.
3. Zig zag around the edge slipping the ribbon in at the top.
4. Hand it to your child and let them decorate any way they choose.
Parenting Tip:
It is ok and preferred if it doesn’t end up looking like mine!!!!
CountryFunMaine says
December 8, 2011 at 3:15 pmI love this gingerbread ornament. Made a cloth version years ago with my children and still hangs on the tree each year. It's nice to see older ideas being shared.
Sarah @ Baby Bilingual says
December 8, 2011 at 3:52 pmJust in case CountryFunMaine doesn't want the free sample….I can barely sew on a button and don't own a sewing machine, but would love to have Griffin try this!
Maybe I can talk one of my friends into sewing some if I give her the materials, and then all the kiddos can decorate them at playgroup….
Amanda says
December 8, 2011 at 3:55 pmThanks! I've been making a version of this with my students for the last 10 years, my mentor teacher had used her vision with kids for many years before too. It is an oldie, but a goodie! You are our gift-away of the day recipient and I commented on your blogs most recent post with info!
Dawn says
December 8, 2011 at 6:34 pmHi! Love this! Stopping by and following from BSN. Would appreciate you following me back. Blessings!
Amanda says
December 8, 2011 at 10:46 pmGlad to have you here Dawn! Sarah – I am softie and can't resist sending these cute little crafts out to your kiddos. I'm sending you an e-mail right now. My pinking shears is on loan to a friend for the weekend, so it should arrive back home on Monday!
Brimful Curiosities says
December 9, 2011 at 1:52 pmThose gingerbread men are adorable. I need to find my pinking shears! I'm pinning this one.
Ali says
December 10, 2011 at 12:42 amThey are so sweet and I love the idea of hiding your sample so the kids do their own thing.
Stacy@{share and remember} says
December 10, 2011 at 9:27 amCute idea! I might have to make some of these today! 🙂
Robyn says
December 10, 2011 at 5:17 pmThese are delightful! I'm so glad to know about this wonderful blog now- I'm liking on FB right away!
Little Wonders' Days says
December 10, 2011 at 8:13 pmThese gingerbread ornaments are just too cute!
Brooke @ Let Kids Create says
December 14, 2011 at 1:24 amWhat a fun idea, my 7 year old would love to try and sew these herself. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness.
Raising a Happy Child says
December 15, 2011 at 7:16 pmWhat a neat idea to combine paper and felt. I agree – children' ideas are so much more creative that what we can come up with!