We welcome December each year with a gingerbread theme that always includes an ornament. We’ve made play dough gingerbread ornaments and rich brown clay gingerbread ornaments. This year I tried something completely different: a gingerbread ornament that is also a suncatcher. I wanted something colorful that could be either added to a Christmas tree, or hung in the window to brighten those dreary winter days. I also wanted an ornament that the preschoolers could reposition the pieces. This gingerbread ornament requires no paint or glue, so it can be taken home the very same day.
White flimsy paper plates or white card stock Sticky (Contact) paper Tissue paper squares in various colors Buttons Wiggle eyes Assorted colors of yarn Double-sided clear tape
Preparing the gingerbread suncatcher ornament: Use some sort of gingerbread template to trace on the paper. (I used one of our large gingerbread cookie cutters. You could also use this free printable template or this larger one.) Cut the shape from the center, so that you have negative space. (I used an X-acto knife.) Cut the contact paper so that it covers the negative gingerbread space. Place it sticky side down on one side of the paper.
Press the tissue paper squares on top of the sticky side of the contact paper.
After tissue paper squares are stuck on the paper, cut another piece of contact paper to cover the open side. Now both sticky sides are touching each other, so the tissue paper is secure. Cut around the gingerbread shape so that you leave white trim around the entire shape. Punch a hole near the top of the gingerbread ornament.
Tie a piece of yarn through hole near the top of the ornament to create a loop for hanging. Place double-sided tape on the areas where the features will be placed.
The children loved repositioning the pieces until they were satisfied with the placement.
The gingerbread man pictured below was made by 3 year old Finley. “He has a mustache!” Oh, and that is also a mustache on the left foot. When finished, the gingerbread suncatcher ornament can be hung in the window or on the Christmas tree.
Gingerbread Man Books
The Gingerbread Man (Easy to Read Folktales) Gingerbread Baby (Jan Brett) How to Catch a Gingerbread Man (Adam Wallace) Ten Tiny Gingerbread Men (Tiger Tales)
Gingerbread Golf-Ball Art Gingerbread Ice Painting Free Gingerbread House Printable Free Gingerbread Dramatic Play Printables Here is my Privacy Policy
