Enjoy a great day of family fun decorating your annual gingerbread project. Here are a few tips to make the project easy -- and the results spectacular!

1. Look for seasonal decorations and supplies at bulk food stores.

2. A few layers of newspaper on the work surface makes cleanup a breeze.

3. For stepping stones, place red-and-white peppermint candies, about 3 inches (8 cm) apart, on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; bake in 325°F (160°C) oven until candy is round and flat. Let cool before using.

4. For Christmas trees, decorate ice-cream sugar cones and stand them upside down.

5. For chimney smoke, pull apart cotton balls and stuff into chimney.

6. For ice rink, pipe desired shape with icing; melt hard candy in saucepan and pour into shape.

7. Explore decorating with a variety of treats, such as candy canes; red-and-white mints; blue hard candies (such as Jolly Ranchers); gumdrops; coarse sugar; yogurt-covered pretzels; small pretzel sticks; cinnamon sticks; candy-coated sunflower seeds; marzipan; toasted sliced natural almonds; flaked coconut; graham crackers and loose-leaf green tea.

Browse through our photo gallery of 10 gingerbread projects for kids of all ages.

This story was originally titled "Decorating Tips" in the December 2012 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!