on the icing, let the gingerbread cookies cool down. put icing into a syringe if you want to create a pattern. use m&ms instead of silver sugar balls, shredded coconut flakes or crushed sweets. gingerbread dough is pretty buttery, so cut it into shapes at once on the parchment paper - you then don't have to move them again on the baking tray. happy baking! 