Reduce, Reuse, Rejoice! Homemade Holiday Ornaments

Cook up a fresh holiday look without breaking the bank or increasing the size of your carbon footprint.

November/December 2009
By Ken Hoyt 
Around the Globe ornaments
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Repurposed tissue paper and gift warp give old glass ornaments a new face.
Photo By Ken Hoyt
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Cook up a fresh holiday look without breaking the bank or increasing the size of your carbon footprint. Here are three ideas that can fill a tree or a glass bowl with handmade and whimsical charm.

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Cookie master

Fill your holiday tree with these simple-to-make cinnamon-scented ornaments, which will last for many seasons. We reused ribbons from last year’s packages to embellish.

Cinnamon-Scented Cookies
These fragrant cookies smell yummy, but—though nontoxic—they are not good for snacking.

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1/2 cup ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon oil (increase amount for more fragrant cookies more)
• 1 cup water
• Parchment paper or silicone mat

Mix dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add water gradually and stir continuously until completely absorbed. Knead for a few minutes. Chill, covered, for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator before proceeding.

Roll dough flat on parchment paper to a 1/4-inch thick. Cut designs with a cookie cutter or freehand with a small knife. Pierce a hole in the top with the end of a chopstick. 

Place cookies on a parchment paper. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 to 3 hours (convection ovens speed the process). Remove when very firm and set aside to cool. Thread with string or ribbon and hang.

Slice of heaven

Fragrant slices of dehydrated fresh citrus resemble little stained glass windows. Our easy, effective technique produces colorful results.

Stained Glass Citrus
The name refers to the translucent quality of the citrus slices.

You will need:

• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 1 lime
• Clean kitchen towel
• Parchment paper or silicone mat
• Cookie sheet

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