Merry Marshmallow Men

As promised! Here is a little how-to for those little Marshmallow Men you saw in the Gingerbread house post.

Better Homes and Gardens, December 1960!! I have been hanging on to this clipping all that time! Better Homes and Gardens has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. It was one of two magazines my Mom subscribed to as I was growing up and I just couldn't wait for the holiday issues each year. All those crafty ideas for holiday decorations - I spent hours and hours poring over those pages. And I look forward to my holiday issues just as much today!

Diane suggested that I include the how-to for the marshmallow men this season. She has never forgotten how adorable they were or how much fun we had making them. We put candles in their hands, and we even made a little reindeer and sleigh! (I wouldn't suggest the reindeer for a long-term display. The peppermint stick legs we gave him melted when they were exposed to the moisture in the cupcakes...I probably don't need to go further with THAT!)

This is a very easy and fun craft for kids (of all ages!) And it is guaranteed to bring holiday cheer because once you pop that little hat on the head, you will find youself smiling and giggling.

I didn't save the instructions when I tore this clipping out all those years ago, so I have sort of made up my own.

For each marshmallow man you will need:

2 large marshmallows

4 mini marshmallows

3 wooden tooth picks

Wrapping paper

Glue (Elmers or Aleene's Tacky are fine)

Scissors

Sharpies or marking pens

HERE IS HOW TO MAKE THEM

Select one of the large marshmallows and using the scissors, cut about 1/4 off the bottom as shown. You are only trying to make it a little smaller that the other one, which will be the body. Discard (or eat) the small end you cut off.

Break about a half inch off one toothpick, and insert one end into the cut side of the "head". (Add a dab of glue if you like.)

Place the "head" on the other large marshmallow and push the toothpick into the "body" section until  the bottom of the cut marshmallow meets the top of the "body".

Break the other two toothpicks in two, and insert the pieces into the "body" as shown. These will serve as the support for the arms and legs. Place them any way you wish. (Glue if desired.)

Using the Sharpies or markers, make little black dots for eyes, a dot in red for the nose and LIGHTLY shade pink cheeks.

For the hat, draw a triangle with a base that measures 6" and is 3 3/4 inches tall at the mid-point. Draw a gentle curve in the base, Or, you can do what I did and guess at it until you come up with a cone that fits the way you want!

Roll the paper into a cone and secure the sides where they overlap with glue. (I used a paperclip to hold mine while drying.) I also made one and used double sided tape to secure the sides and that worked well, too.

You can glue the hat on if you like. I prefer to leave mine un-glued so I can adjust the angle of the hat to suit my mood!

Here they are! Now I have to find time to make some for ME!!! As you might have guessed, these two are now living with Diane!