I used to participate in a Christmas Cookie exchange, until my husband complained that he liked the cookies I baked and gave away better than most of the ones I came home with.  Awww…  So I stopped exchanging, and then we just ate our own cookies, and got fat.

I decided this year to get the cookie cutters out and use them to make treats for our feathered friends who do not fly south for the winter.  My kids  are Bird Nerds.  We have a Bird Book {complete with recorded bird calls}, and Bird Apps for the iPad, and generally talk about birds more than normal people.

The kids were very excited, but mid-way through A.P. announced that it was “not that exciting”.  Maybelle, with her quick wit, shot back with “Maybe not for you.  But it is for the BIRDS.”

So there.

Here is what you’ll need {based on a recipe from Family Fun; it made six ornaments}.

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Birdseed Ornaments

• 1 packet of unflavored gelatin
• Water
• 2 cups birdseed
• Christmas Shaped cookie cutters
• String
• Waxed paper

Using one piece of string for each ornament, tie a knot so it makes a ‘loop’.

Bring 6 tablespoons of water to a boil. Empty one 1/4-ounce package of unflavored gelatin into 2 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl. Let the gelatin sit for 1 minute, then add the boiling water and stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved.

Stir 2 cups of birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly.

Let the mixture set for a few minutes, then stir again. Repeat this process a few times, if necessary, allowing the seed to absorb the liquid. Spoon the seed mixture into cookie cutters, then let them sit on waxed paper.

Push the knotted end of one piece of string into each ornament.

Think carefully about this, or you’ll end up with ornaments that look like they are flying rather than hanging.

Place the cookie cutters in the refrigerator or a cool room and let them set for at least 3 hours. Remove the ‘cookies’ from the cutters by pressing gently.

Do this carefully; so as to avoid one eared reindeer.

Allow them to air-dry overnight before hanging outside.

For the record, A.P. did like the hanging up portion of this little project, and checks the ornaments every day to see if they have been pecked at.

The kids noticed that the back of the birdseed bag had a list of who might be snacking on the stuff during different seasons.

They immediately got their Bird Book out.  Then hid behind a blanket and dinosaur (?!)

You still have time to do this before Christmas!

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