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Gingerbread House Activity: A Real Mom’s Do’s and Don’ts

Gingerbread House Activity: A Real Mom’s Do’s and Don’ts

November 27, 2013 by Amy, Using Our Words 5 Comments

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I’ll be honest. I don’t have a great track record with gingerbread houses. I fail. Consistently. Last year I swore I’d have Lenny do them next time. Again. But, I forgot. Again. And I forged into dangerous territory with my kids.

I mentioned this on Facebook, and it got some interesting discussion going. Apparently I’m not the only Scrooge when it comes to this most frustrating wonderful holiday tradition.

The good news is, I’ve put together a list of Do’s and Don’ts for all of you considering getting crafty this season. (Now let’s hope I remember. And, hey, why not pin it so you remember to keep it real too…)

DO NOT:
…worry that going to Costco — where they sell pre-made houses to decorate — the week of (or after) Thanksgiving might be slightly inconvenient. (Or act surprised when you go there the second week of December and they laugh at you for asking if they still have any in stock.)

DO:
…pick up a bottle of wine while you’re there. Oh, and leave the kids at home. Then make no mention of the fact you have one (or 3) in your possession until you’re absolutely ready to begin.

DO NOT:
…go into this thinking it will be a magical holiday experience for you and the kids. (Based on my experiences — yes, plural — the frosting isn’t the only thing that doesn’t bond.)

DO:
…consider having a glue gun on hand in case your frosting fails you. (While I, personally, prefer to go through multiple rounds of failure instead, many people suggested this approach to me.)

DO NOT:
…start the project a couple hours after your house was cleaned. (Especially if you’re lucky enough to have a professional cleaner…who won’t be back until after Christmas.)

DO:
…plan to stick to the floor for a week following the fun. (Seems I’m not very good at cleaning, either.)

DO NOT:
…put the simple-to-build-with-frosting-you-have-to-knead-and-patiently-wait-for-it-to-dry house together with a curious audience next to you.

DO:
…have friends over to distract the curious audience while you do the basic assembly and candy opening. Bonus: Company keeps you everyone on their best behavior.

DO NOT:
…assume the candy provided is purely decorative and that there’s more than enough.

DO:
…buy some extra goodies to make your house — and the entire experience — a bit more fun.

DO NOT:
…use this as inspiration.
gingerbread2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO:
…use this as inspiration.
gingerbread3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what did I miss? Share your do’s and don’ts!

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Filed Under: featured, Mom Musings, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: christmas, DIY, fail, gingerbread house, holiday, tips

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  1. 18 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 128 says:
    December 8, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    […] #18: This is the first year all three of our kids managed to keep the vast majority of the gingerbread house candy on the table (or in their mouths). This is also the first year that I dropped a bowl full of […]

    Reply
  2. 14 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 129 says:
    December 22, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    […] #1: Gingerbread house decorating was further proof that my boys have outrageously different personalities. Big spent the […]

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  3. Our Family Just Got Merrier, Thanks to Disney Holidays says:
    November 26, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    […] all that it had to offer. For the season, it’s home to a gigantic Christmas tree and a huge gingerbread house—which smells as good as it […]

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  4. We Cut Our Own Christmas Tree This Year says:
    December 12, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    […] our family with harsh realities throughout the holiday season (assuming we haven’t already massacred our gingerbread houses, that […]

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  5. Holiday-Style Doin Good, Sponsored by Minute Maid - Using Our Words says:
    December 14, 2015 at 11:43 am

    […] in our house. Goodness knows we try to create a magical holiday season (perhaps too hard), but gingerbread houses shatter, Christmas trees don’t fit, and the kids can’t get through the season without […]

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