December 10, 2010

It's Not As Scary As I Thought

 Even though I like to do crafty stuff, the thought of gingerbread houses has caused me much fear and trembling.  Sometimes I need a good kick in the pants friend to get me to try something new.

So when my friend Janet suggested we try gingerbread houses with the kids, I knew I couldn't say no.  We each bought a kit and decided the grown-ups would put the houses together and then let the kids decorate.


We bought our kit at Target for $7.99.  It even came with pre-cut holes in the bottom and sides for easy construction. When it says kit, it means the whole kit-and-kaboodle.  I sounded like my mother in that sentence.  Everything you need to make a genuine gingerbread house is in the box.
The kids thought the candy was so tempting colorful.  The boys lasted about 6 minutes, but the girls sure had fun decorating! 

The gingerbread wasn't very tasty, but it seems to be much more durable than the homemade variety.  Maybe it's more durable because I usually eat the homemade kind before it gets turned into a dwelling place for Hansel and Gretel.
My fear of failure in the construction of cookie houses is gone. Thanks, Janet!

Do you usually make a gingerbread house?  Any secrets of success? 

11 comments:

Karen Bundy Barlow said...

I love it! We used to make them a long time ago. Maybe I should start the tradition over again with my kids.

Joy for the Seasons said...

We have never made one, but my girls have been asking a LOT this month. was eying those kits at Target.

emily bennett said...

gretchen, i JUST bought our kit from Target last night. i've passed it about 15 times and finally gave in. i've always heard the horror stories (plus, made a homemade one in home-ec one year--- not a good experience). but i couldn't leave the store without getting it. i plan on me and the kids making our first gingerbread house sometime this week (wish me luck with a 2 year old and a 3 year old). i think i'll do what you did and make the house and let them decorate (read: eat).

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I usually buy the kit every year and I think it's a steal! All that candy AND the pre-made pieces is no-stress for me and loads of fun for my kids. I've tried the home-made version and the houses made out of graham crackers. I'm sticking with the kit. My kids still love doing it!

heidi.l.leoanrd said...

adorable! this activity is our our list of things to do over winter break too - though we may go the 'old school' route and create them with graham crackers.

well done!

Amy said...

YES, for the past several years we've done one! My tip is to wait til AFTER Christmas & buy the kit on sale & put it away to have for next year. We always get our kits for $1....no kidding! Because like you said...the gingerbread is NOT very tasty anyway, so we don't eat it. The other tip is to use the hot glue gun for putting it together....since we don't eat it. That's a BIG help, in my humble opinion. Anyways.....your houses look absolutely adorable! Glad you gave it a try! :-)

Kellie said...

The kids did them at school last year. They used a carton and put the graham crackers around it with the frosting. They had a blast and loved it. I kept them through Christmas and then threw them away. lol I have never tried them at home. Maybe one day, but probably not this year. lol :) Yours looked adorable!

Unknown said...

My kids and their cousins did ginger bread houses several times when they were little. It was always so much fun, even if it was a little messy. I'm like you in that I often need a kick in the right direction to do those sort of things. But aren't we glad we did afterward? The houses look darling!

Janet said...

That was so much fun! Thanks for having us over! When we were frosting away and the kids were upstairs playing - I was having so much fun it was tempting to just keep this fun for you and me. But...it was great, too, when the kids joined us. :)

Anonymous said...

My neighbor and I usually get together with our kiddies every Christmas and let the kids decorate houses. Sometimes they are kits, sometimes they are graham crackers "glued" with icing. Always fun. Kids decorate, we drink coffee and eat snacks.

Carpool Queen said...

My kit is sitting on the kitchen cabinet, waiting for the right moment when my stress levels are at their lowest :)