Reindeer Food and Cinnamon Ornaments

Hey!  It's almost time for Santa to get here and I'm sure the excitement is rising in your home.....it is already over-the-top in mine.  So, to help fill that everlasting time waiting for the big guy to come, here are some fun things to do with the kiddos!  Have a wonderful Christmas!

 Reindeer Food: Mix some oatmeal, glitter and crushed candy cane together!  Spread on the lawn Christmas Eve for the reindeer to see...they'll come to your house first!

Cinnamon Ornaments

 (recipe courtesy of McCormick website:  www.mccormick.com)

Ingredients:  3/4 cup applesauce, 1 bottle cinnamon (4.12 ounces)

Supplies needed:  cookie cutters, drinking straw, colorful ribbon, paint

Directions:  

1. Preheat oven to 200 F.  Mix applesauce and cinnamon in a small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. (You may need to use your hands to incorporate all of the cinnamon.)  Using about 1/4 of the dough, roll dough to 1/4 inch to 1/3 inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap.  Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap.  Cut dough into desired shapes with 2 to 3 inch cookie cutters.  Make a hole at top of ornament with drinking straw or skewer.  Place ornaments on baking sheet.

2.  Bake 2.5 hours.  Cool ornaments on wire rack.  (Can also let air dry for 1-2 days).

3.  Insert ribbon through holes and decorate with paint if desired.  I have used dried cloves in the past for eyes...just to give some extra scent.  Do not eat!  Only for decoration!