Decorate with Cookie Cutters This Christmas

Baking cookies is one of the most popular and well loved holiday activities. Who doesn't have memories of spending hours in the kitchen at Christmas time baking up batches of delicious cookies with Mom or Grandma? The tradition as well as family cookie recipes often get passed down from generation to generation. When decorating your home for the holidays this year, use those cookie cutters for more than just baking up trays of yummy treats. Here are some fun ways to add some cozy Christmas cheer to your house using those baking essentials.

Make a Table Centerpiece. Is your kitchen the hub of holiday activity? Cover your kitchen table with a bright and cheery tablecloth or runner. Fill a clear cookie jar or glass canister with sparkling clean cookie cutters. Tie a red ribbon around the neck of the jar. Position the cutters so that the ones on the perimeter face outward. If you don't have enough cookie cutters to completely fill the jar, add pine cones to fill out the space. This simple table decor will add a bit of country charm to your kitchen.

Hang a Cookie Cutter Swag Over a Window or Doorway. A very festive and inexpensive Christmas decoration can be made using thick natural twine and a variety of metal cookie cutters. Cut a length of twine about two feet longer than the space you wish to cover. Cut a one to two inch piece of twine for every cutter you wish to add to your swag. Decide how you want the cutters to be spaced and then use the pieces of twine to tie a knot at each space. Thread the cutters through the swag and let each one rest on a knot to keep them in place. Add checked or plaid bows in the spaces in between the cookie cutters. Hang your homemade swag over a window or doorway, winding the ends on small hooks or nails. Let a bit of the coiled twine hang down on either side for a very attractive look.

Add Cookie Cutters to Christmas Garland. If you typically use green or sliver garland to decorate a banister or Christmas tree, give it a little twist this year by adding cookie cutters. Simply thread the cookie cutters through the garland and then decorate as usual. Bread bag twist ties can be wound around the garland at intervals to keep the cutters from sliding back and forth.

Hang Them on Your Holiday Tree. Fillin some empty spaces on your Christmas tree this year, or add a bit of country charm with cookie cutter ornaments. Thread gold cord, jute twine or colored ribbon through the middle of the cookie cutter and tie a knot. Doubling the length of the ribbon will allow you to tie the ends in a pretty bow. The beauty in these tree ornaments is in the simplicity. Not only can you hang them on your own tree, you can make up a few to give to friends or relatives to give their Christmas trees a bit of holiday sweetness too.