The Secret is Out

I grew up making gingerbread houses every year out of graham crackers and cans of white icing. My kids are 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 and requested making houses this year after watching cartoons of "Max and Ruby" making theirs. I got excited thinking maybe they were old enough to start the tradition with them so I ventured to Target to buy supplies. While on the Christmas aisle, I saw these handy little kits. At $8 a piece, I though that was a bargain considering the house is already made and Christmas candy is expensive and it was included.


So I set out the boxes and prepared myself for the mess I thought would ensue. I set out small bowls and let the kids pour the included candies into them. I added Hershey's Peppermint Kisses and M&Ms since those are my kids favorites.


The houses were adorable, built strong, and etched with lines in all the right places.


I lined the houses with icing and let the kids go to town covering the thing with candy. This kit is worth its weight in gold. The $8 price was worth every penny and more. My kids were entertained quietly working for at least 45 minutes and there was no mess at all.


The finished product was amazing considering the age of my kids. This kit is fool proof and my new tradition is to buy one of these every year. I know it isn't exactly the Martha Stewart way to do things but I live in the real world of little kids and minimized messes!