In a 3-quart saucepan, combine syrup, molasses, salt and spices. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally with wooden spoon.

Remove from heat, stir in baking soda. Stir in oil until it is thoroughly combined. Add 3 cups of the flour.

On a floured surface, knead the dough until thoroughly blended, adding additional flour as necessary. Divide dough in half, wrap one piece in plastic wrap and set aside.

Preheat oven to 325F. With floured rolling pin, roll piece of dough slightly less than 1⁄4 inch thick. With floured cookie cutters or a knife, cut dough into shapes or according to dimensions for a house. Do the same with second piece of dough. Reserve trimmings and reroll and cut.

Place cookies, fairly spaced, on cookie sheets. If you plan to hang cookies as decorations, make a hole in the top at this point.

Bake until brown around edges, about 12 min.