This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Making a salt dough gingerbread man garland is a fun and simple holiday craft that fills your home with rustic charm. Using basic pantry ingredients like flour, cinnamon and cocoa powder, you can create miniature gingerbread men that look adorable strung together with twine. The process is easy enough for kids to help, making it a perfect family activity. Hang the garland on your tree, across the mantel or in a doorway. It will add a warm, handmade touch to your festive decor.
Learn how to make a salt dough gingerbread man garland with simple ingredients. This easy craft adds rustic, handmade charm to your holiday decorations.
If you enjoy Christmas crafting, also make paper clip angels, crochet star garland, dried orange garland, or felt Christmas tree garland.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: Simple steps and ingredients make this project beginner friendly.
Budget friendly: Uses inexpensive pantry staples and basic tools.
Customizable: Adjust size or add decorations to suit your style.
Kid friendly: Perfect for a family craft session during the holidays.
Gingerbread Man Garland Materials and Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the tutorial card below.
All purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough for structure. Don’t worry about gluten free flour, as these gingerbread men are only for decor, not for eating.
Salt: Hardens the dough and helps preserve the gingerbread men.
Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spiced scent and brown color.
Cocoa powder: Deepens the color for a baked gingerbread look.
Water: Brings the dough together into a workable consistency.
Cotton twine: Strings the gingerbread men together into a garland.
How to Make a Gingerbread Christmas Garland
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the dough: Combine flour, salt, cinnamon, cocoa powder and water until crumbly but able to hold together.
Adjust consistency: Add water a teaspoon at a time if needed to form a ball.
Roll and cut: Flatten the dough to the desired thickness and cut out shapes with gingerbread man cookie cutter (here). You need 25 gingerbread men for a 6-feet garland.
Prepare for baking: Transfer to a lined baking sheet and use a straw to make holes in the hands.
Bake until solid: Bake until completely hardened. Once completely dry, salt dough feels hard with no soft spots after cooling.
Remove white cast: Brush lightly with neutral oil and blot to remove shine.
Assemble the garland: The last step is to thread twine or string through the gingerbread men to make them into a gorgeous Christmas decor garland which you can hang anywhere in your home that you wish.
Substitutions and Variations
Scent variation: Add nutmeg or ground cloves for a richer aroma.
Decorated version: Paint with acrylics or add glitter after baking.
Different shapes: Use star or heart cookie cutters for variety.
Top Tips
Roll evenly: This ensures all gingerbread men bake at the same rate.
Make clean holes: A straw works best for threading space.
Check hardness: Fully bake until no soft spots remain after cooling.
Handle gently: Salt dough can chip if dropped.
Gingerbread Man FAQs
No. Gingerbread is truly delicious, and we all know that, whether your preference is for gingerbread molasses cookies or gingerbread pizzelle cookies. But this recipe is designed with home decor and tree, wreath or mantel decorations in mind, so they’re not edible.
Yes, use acrylic paint once they are completely cool and dry.
It will fade over time, but the garland will still look great.
DIY Salt Dough Garland
Salt Dough Gingerbread Man Garland
Equipment
Supplies
- 1 Cup all purpose flour
- ½ Cup salt
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon cocoa powder
- ½ Cup water
- oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Combine in a mixing bowl the flour, salt, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and water. Use a fork to mix into a crumbly dough.
- The dough will look and feel dry, but it needs to stick together when you press it into a ball. If it is too crumbly, add water a teaspoon at a time until the dough comes together.
- Push the dough into a ball and roll out on a flat surface into a disk between ⅛ and ¼-inch thick.
- Use the miniature gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out 25 gingerbread men.
- Place the gingerbread men onto a parchment lined baking sheet and use a straw to poke out holes in each hand of the gingerbread men.
- Bake at 275°F for 2 hours. If they are still soft in the middle after cooling down, bake for another 30 minutes or until completely solid.
- The gingerbread men will have a white cast when they are done baking. This is the salt settling, but to fix it you can brush a small amount of neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, etc) onto them. Use a paper towel to blot off excess oil to remove the shine.
- Use a darning needle to thread the string through the gingerbread men.
Notes
Make clean holes: A straw works best for threading space.
Check hardness: Fully bake until no soft spots remain after cooling.
Handle gently: Salt dough can chip if dropped.
A salt dough gingerbread man garland is an easy and affordable way to bring handmade charm to your holiday décor. With just a few pantry ingredients and basic crafting tools, you can create a festive decoration that lasts for years. The warm color, spiced scent and rustic texture make it a timeless addition to your seasonal home. It’s a fun project that’s perfect for a cozy afternoon of crafting with family or friends.
Other Crafts to Try
- This DIY Handmade Christmas Mistletoe Headband is fun to make.
- Is it time to make your fun Homemade Ugly Christmas Sweater yet?
- You can admire and eat a Ferrero Rocher Christmas Tree!
- DIY Personalized Baskets are really cute and hold any kinds of goodies.
- This easy-to-make Sweater Candle Cozy is an adorable gift idea.
- Which cookies will you stash in your Holiday Cookie Box?
