Make a Gingerbread Man Christmas Ornament

Gingerbread men are very popular this Christmas. I see them everywhere, and you can make one too!

You won't need a rolling pin and cookie cutters to make these gingerbread ornaments.

Follow this step-by-step guide to create a cute keepsake to treasure for years.

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Supply List

• Gingerbread Man Pull String Ornament Laser SVG
• Laser Cutting Machine
• 3mm MDF
• Easel Paper (optional)
• Masking Tape (optional)
• Acrylic Paint
  • Tan
  • White
  • Red
• Makeup Sponges
• Wood Glue
• Twine

Grab the Laser File

Download the SVG laser file to your computer or device.

I cut this file out of 3mm materials. The pieces won't fit together correctly if you use any other thickness.

Laser Cut

Pull the file into your laser cutter software and cut.

Be sure to cut the black lines and score the blue lines.

I used a 3mm MDF, and it should not be resized.

Paint

I recommend piecing them together before painting to ensure that the correct side of the pieces is painted.

I like to tape the pieces down to a table covered with paper to prepare for painting.

The tape holds the pieces so I don't get paint all over my fingers, and the paper protects my table.

I group them by color.

Only paint the top layer. The assembly layers don't need paint.

Paint the border and face pieces white, the body pieces tan, and the buttons and bow tie red.

I like to paint these small pieces with cosmetic sponges because they are cheaper than sponge brushes.

Apply 2-3 coats and let the pieces dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Glue Pieces Together

Squeeze glue onto the paper and apply it with a small paintbrush. This helps control the amount of glue, so there isn't a lot of excesses around the edges.

The inner pieces are scored with identifying marks when cutting.

The base layer is piece number one, but start with layers 2, 3, and 4.

Apply glue to the top of piece number two and stack number three on top.

Add glue to the top of piece three, and stack piece four.

Align the edges of all three layers.

There are also two stacks of L, one large and one small, and two stacks of R, one large and one small.

L stands for the left side pieces, and R stands for the right.

Glue those 4 stacks together in the same manner as the pieces above, keeping the edges aligned.

Grab the base piece and glue the stacks on the matching engraved sections.

Make sure that all pieces are aligned with the edge of the base.

Dip the end of each peg in the glue and press into the square holes.

(The larger L and R pieces aren't glued into place in my picture, but they should be.)

While the pegs are drying, place piece 5 on top to ensure they dry straight. Don't glue the piece on yet.

Once dry, remove that top layer from the pegs.

Apply glue to the solid base pieces and insert the painted pieces. It's kind of like putting together a puzzle.

Tie the String

This is the most crucial step. If the string isn't tied precisely right, the arms and legs won't move up and down.

Lay the base flat on the table and the arms and legs close by. Ensure the left leg is on the left side and the same as the right.

Bring the string up through the holes in the arms and keep excess in between.

Pull the string tight to the end of the arm, one arm at a time, and place it on the peg. You don't want the string tied around the peg.

Take the end of the string from the right arm, go up by the head, and pull the string underneath that center length of twine.

Repeat with the left arm string. Pull the string between the two arms so the excess is removed and the string goes into the notches.

Ensure the string isn't too tight and the arms fall to the side when the string is slack.

This is what the top arm string should look like.

Cross the strings so that the end from the left arm goes to the right leg and the end from the right arm string goes to the left leg.

String the right leg up through the hole.

Repeat with the left leg.

Pull the string taught against the end of the leg and place it on the peg.

Pull the end of the string up and thread it under the same string. Pull tight so the string inserts itself in that notch.

Grab the string from the right leg and pull it underneath its own string. Pull tight.

This is what the string looks like when correctly tied.

Carefully lift the base and gently pull the string to test the movement. Don't pull the limbs off the pegs; you'll need to retie the string.

The limbs should fall when the string is loose and shoot up when the string is pulled.

You won't get the correct movement if the string isn't tried correctly. Pull it out and retie the string.

Keep the ends of the string together and tie a knot. Repeat about an inch down.

Glue Cover

Carefully apply glue to the top of the L and R pieces, pegs, and head sections.

Place the cover on top, aligning it with the peg holes on the back.

Thread a string or ribbon through the hole on top, and the gingerbread man ornaments are ready to hang on the Christmas tree!

After you play with it, of course. Pulling the string over and over. It is such a fun, interactive ornament!

More Pull String Ornaments

This gingerbread guy was so fun to make that I designed a few more!

Gingerbread Girl Pull String Ornament Laser File

Santa Pull String Ornament Laser File

Snowman Pull String Ornament Laser File

Rudolph Pull String Ornament Laser File