Spicy Christmas Ornaments

What we really need right now is scratch and sniff computer screens, because these ornaments smell so good, you couldn't resist making some of your own if you could smell them through the screen.  When I was growing up, we used to make these ornaments every couple of years, and the whole house would smell like cinnamon and cloves (in other words--Christmas) the entire month of December.

These are really easy and fun to make with kids, but they do take a couple of days to complete as they have to dry overnight.  Are you ready?

Here's what you need:

• 3/4 cup applesauce (not the chunky kind)
• 1 packet unflavored gelatin
• scant 1/2 cup cinnamon
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 3 tablespoons ground cloves
• small pot
• spatula or spoon
• bowl
• plastic wrap
• rolling pin
• cookie cutters
• 1 straw
• drying rack (cooling rack)
• decorative ribbon
• paint pens
• any other decorations you want

To make the dough, you combine the applesauce and gelatin in a small pot--let stand for 3 minutes.  While that is sitting, combine the spices and corn starch in the bowl.  Heat the applesauce and gelatin over medium heat until the mixture simmers.  Add the applesauce and gelatin mixture to your spice mixture.  Stir/knead until dough forms.

Now you are ready to make ornaments!  Split the dough in half, and wrap one half in plastic wrap while you work with the other half.  Roll the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap (1/8 - 1/4 inch thick).  Cut the dough with cookie cutters.  Take your straw and poke a hole in each shape you cut (this will be for the ribbon to go through).  Lift the shapes onto the drying rack.  Let dry overnight--when we used to make these, my mom always put the rack over a heating vent, so the smell would permeate the entire house--mmmmmmm.

Once you let them dry, you can decorate.  I like to use paint pens or glitter glue.  You could use any puff paint or spray paint, but you don't want to use too much and mask the delicious aroma with paint smell.  I also sometimes string bells on for added glitz and sound effects.  These also make great personalized gift tags that will double as ornaments for the person to whom you give the gift.

Thanks for letting me share this fun craft with you today!  I would love for you to leave a comment and let me know what shapes would you use, and how would you decorate or use these differently.