I bake them an extra few minutes. Let them air dry 24 - 48 hours. Paint them with 3D paints and seal them with mod podge for ornaments.
The icing for eating cookies is simply powdered sugar and the tiniest bit of water (food color changes the colors) until it is thick but can still be pipped...
I use real gingerbread as ornaments and name tags at Christmas as well as for eating.
I have been baking this afternoon.
Gingerbread chickens are very tasty.