Cinnamon is not only easy to craft with, but it's a
smell that reflects the warmth and charm of a cozy
winter home more than any other. These gifts can be
used as additions to baskets filled with homemade
breads, muffins or cookies. You can also package
them alone for small gifts to give teachers, friends
and house guests.
Mulled Tea Bags
Ingredients:
5 tsp. loose black tea
4 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
2 tsp. coarsely crushed cinnamon stick
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
fine-mesh cheesecloth
Cotton string
Cut two five inch squares out of
the cheese cloth. Place 1/2 of your tea ingredients
on one square, and the other 1/2 on the second one.
Bring the corners together and tie into a bag with
the string. Place the teabags into a mug, with these
instructions:
To brew place one tea bag in a mug
and 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 5 minutes and
enjoy!
If you wish you can also include a
small jar of honey, an antique spoon (easily found
at a thrift store), 2 cinnamon sticks for stirring
and a novel to enjoy reading while drinking.
Santa Cinnamon Sticks
You will need:
1 6 inch long cinnamon stick
red, peach or cream, black and pink acrylic pain
small paintbrush
tiny stiff paintbrush for textured paint
"snow" textured paint
Paint Santa's hat on a 1/2 inch
space at the top of the stick, using textured paint
for ball and trim. For face, paint 3/4 below the hat
using peach or cream paint, paint eyes black and
cheeks pink. Lastly use texture paint and the stiff
brush to paint eyebrows and the beard.
These make charming gift toppers,
or additions to gift baskets and flower
arrangements.
Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments
Two recipes, both simple, for
making these neat ornaments that can also be used as
package toppers. If making ahead, I would put each
one in it's own plastic bag and store in a cool dry
place.
You will need:
4 ounces of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup of applesauce
2 tablespoons of white craft glue
These are not edible because of
the glue. Mix together well, roll out and cut your
shapes. Poke a hole at the top of each one for
hanging before they dry. Put them on a wire rack for
about a week and let them dry, turning them over
about once a day.
Cinnamon Ornaments
You will need:
3/4 cup applesauce
1 4.12 ounce bottle ground cinnamon
Mix together to form a stiff
dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with
cookie cutters. Make hole at top of ornaments on
rack to dry. Let dry 1-2 days or until thoroughly
dry, turning occasionally. Hang with decorative
thread, ribbon or natural raffia. Makes 12-15
ornaments.
Table Decorations
You will need:
Cinnamon sticks, 4-5 inches long
natural raffia
dried flowers of your choice
got glue
To make a centerpiece glue
together two cinnamon sticks, then top with two
more, gluing the four of them together. Glue dried
flowers to the top of the sticks to decorate, but
not overwhelm. Tie a few pieces of raffia around the
middle of the sticks and flowers to form a bow with
a few ends hanging slightly off the piece. Place one
in front of each place setting during your holiday
meal. Guests can then take home their cinnamon
craft.
Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder
You will need:
1 clear glass votive candle holder
about 20 cinnamon sticks
transparent tape
scissors
hot glue gun, glue sticks
Measure the height of your holder,
and add 1/2 inch. This is the length you will need
to cut your cinnamon sticks. Cover the holder
completely with tape. Hot glue does not adhere well
to glass, so this will give you a good surface to
glue to. Glue each stick vertically to the holder,
making sure they are placed evenly, until the entire
surface is covered. Use like this, or decorate with
raffia, or other small holiday decorations.
Brenda Hyde is a wife and Mom of
three, a freelance writer and editor. Visit her for
more old fashioned holiday crafts, recipes and
traditions at http://SeedsofKnowledge.com
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