One of my favorite parts of visiting Germany was attending several open-air markets. Vendors sold food and goods, and people visited with each other as they shopped. Lebkuchenherzen, or gingerbread heart cookies, are common sites at German markets. These large cookies are decorated with colorful frosting and strung onto ribbon so they can be worn like necklaces. I created some free printable templates so you can make your own paper German hearts to have a little bit of Oktoberfest at home!
PAPER GERMAN GINGERBREAD HEARTS
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THESE OKTOBERFEST PRINTABLES?
I chose to print my heart templates onto brown cardstock so that they would look more like real gingerbread cookies. If you don’t have tan or brown cardstock, you could also color white paper with crayons, colored pencils, or paint before adding the additional embellishments
- Printable template (see below)
- Tan cardstock
- Scissors
- Glitter glue or puffy paint
- Craft glue
- Embellishments like rick rack and buttons
- Yarn or ribbon
- Hole punch
WHAT ARE LEBKUCHENHERZEN?
If you’ve ever been to a German open-air marketplace, you know that they are like nothing we have here in America. They are generally only open for foot traffic, so patrons leisurely stroll around shopping, eating, and drinking. Lebkuchenherzen are common sights in these markets, especially during Oktoberfest. These gingerbread (Lebkuchen) hearts (Herzen) are oversized cookies decorated with colorful frosting and hung on a ribbon so they can be worn as necklaces. They make great souvenirs to help you remember your trip to the Marktplatz (marketplace).
HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE TEMPLATE
I am so excited to share these printables with you free! To access the printables, sign up for a Mad in Crafts Freebies Membership using the form below or by signing up HERE. Don’t worry, the membership won’t cost you a penny, but it WILL give you access to all of the freebies I have shared here on Mad in Crafts.
When you have access to the Freebie Gallery, you will find these printable cards in the Coloring Pages section.
HOW TO MAKE PAPER LEBKUCHENHERZEN
This tutorial will let you decorate and wear your own Lebkuchenherzen. Just do not try to eat them; they are made from cardstock and paint! Make up several for yourself or give them to friends and family to show them how much you care.
DIY Paper German Hearts
- Print the Lebkuchenherzen printables onto tan cardstock using your home printer.
- Cut out the hearts on the black lines.
- Use glitter glue, paint, or embellishments to decorate the hearts. Google photos of real Lebkuchenherzen for reference.
- Allow the glue and paint to dry overnight.
- Punch two holes near the top of each heart.
- Thread yarn or ribbon through the holes and tie the ends together to create a necklace.
GERMAN GINGERBREAD HEART TRANSLATIONS
The printable templates include four different German words or phrases. Here are the translations of the phrases on the printable templates:
- “Schatzi” is a German term of endearment meaning “treasured one” or “little treasure.”
- “Ich liebe dich” means “I love you.”
- “Gruß aus Deutschland” means “Greetings from Germany.”
- “Danke” means “Thank you.”
If you would like to personalize the hearts with other phrases, just cut out the hearts along the black lines and add your own writing on the flip side of the heart. Here are a few options:
- “O’zapft is’” means “It’s tapped!” The beginning of Oktoberfest is marked by the tapping of beer kegs.
- “Küss mich!” means “Kiss me!”
- “Weil I Di mog” is a Bavarian saying that means “Because I like you.”
- “Prost!” is a German version of saying “Cheers!”
HOW TO USE PAPER LEBKUCHENHERZEN
Once you have finished your paper heart necklaces, you can display them or give them to a loved one! This fun paper Lebkuchenherzen craft is a great way to relive a trip to Germany, learn more about German culture, or celebrate Oktoberfest.
You might like these other Oktoberfest DIYs:
PRINTABLE OKTOBERFEST PARTY INVITATION
