GINGERBREAD MAN FOAM OR WOOD MAGNETSMaterials:Light brown craft foam or craft wood in shape of gingerbread manAcrylic paints - light brown, white, red, light blue and purpleRibbon or Stick-on magnetsMethod:Using this Gingy picture as a guide, cut out brown craft foam in the shape of a gingerbread man. If you prefer, use craft wood in the shape of a gingerbread man and paint it light brown. Using white paint, detail eyes, cuffs, and belt. Add blue eyebrows, red mouth, and purple buttons. (Of course you can use your own colors, but it won? look exactly like our Gingy!) -Glue a ribbon to the top to make an ornament or a magnetic strip to make a magnet. Gingerbread Man: Fire up the ovens, Muffin Man! We've got a big order to fill! [lightning flashes] IT'S ALIIIIVE!------------------------------------------------------------------------------GINGERBREAD MAN "GINGY" COOKIES1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. ground cloves

2 tbsp. vinegar

5 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tbsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup molasses

1 eggThoroughly cream shortening, sugar, and salt. Stir in eggs, molasses, and vinegar. Beat well. Sift dry ingredients, stir into molasses mixture. Chill 3 hours. On lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/8 inch thick. Use gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 5 minutes. Decorate, using the Gingy picture as a guide. Makes 5 to 6 dozen, depending on size of cookie cutter. Shrek: Do you still know the muffin man?

Gingerbread Man: He? down on Drury Lane. Why?

Shrek: Because we?e gonna need flour. Lots and lots of flour. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAKE GINGY FROM PUMPKIN PLAYDOH5 1/2 Cups Flour

2 Cups Salt

8 teaspoons Cream of Tartar

3 1/2 Cup Oil

1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Pie Spice

Orange Food Coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)

4 Cups WaterMix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until lumps disappear. Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth. Makes plenty for a group. Gingerbread Man: Well, folks, it looks like we're up chocolate creek without a popsicle stick!------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAKE GINGY FROM PLAY CLAY2 c. baking soda (1 lb. )

1 c. cornstarch

1 1/4 c. cold water

liquid food coloring of choice

Acrylic or poster paints

Varnish, shellac or clear nail polish (opt. )Stir together baking soda and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add water and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. When mixture is consistency of moist mashed potatoes, turn into a bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let cool. When Play Clay has cooled, it will have consistency of modeling clay. Use to form your Gingerbread Man. Unused Play Clay may be stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Return to room temperature before using again. Relatively flat items (1/8" thick) should dry overnight. Thicker objects take longer to dry. To shorten drying time, place clay objects in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Watch closely so items do not crack. Color may be added to clay in several ways. Add liquid food coloring to clay as it is being made or paint finished objects, after they've hardened and dried, with acrylic or poster paints. Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights ReservedPatricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise. com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food. Subscribe to the Kids Party Paradise Newsletter and get timely updates on popular new party ideas and themes, and so much more. . .

Author:
Patricia Jensen