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Materials

  • Cardboard sheet (cut into 4×6-inch rectangles, one per ornament)
  • Brown acrylic paint (1 small bottle, 2 fl oz)
  • 20 Mini pom-poms (½ inch, assorted color)
  • 8-10 Wooden beads or small buttons
  • Twine or red-and-white baker’s string (6 inches per ornament)
  • Foam or felt scraps (1×2 inches each, for doors and windows)
  • Printed photo (2×2 inches, one per ornament)
  • Hot glue gun or craft glue
  • Small paintbrush and scissors

Instructions

  • Cut out a simple house shape from the cardboard, about 4 inches wide and 6 inches tall. Then paint it brown to resemble gingerbread, and let it dry for at least 15 minutes.
  • Use a craft knife or scissors to cut a small door in the center, about 1.5 inches tall. Leave one side attached so it can open like a flap.
  • Glue your child’s photo behind the door opening, making sure the face is visible when the door is lifted.
  • Decorate the roofline with pom-poms or beads, arranging them like candy drops. Add foam or felt pieces to form windows, shutters, or gumdrop trims.
  • Add finishing touches like glitter, sequins, or even faux frosting lines using white paint. Let everything dry completely before hanging it on the tree.