Easy DIY Gingerbread Decorating Gift Basket
I love buying fun boxes, and I especially can’t resist when they are a good price. I usually buy them on sale and then I figure out what to do with them later. That’s how my ice cream sundae gift box came to be:)
Michaels Crafts always has beautiful gift boxes.
They run a lot of 70% off sales, especially at the end of seasons, making them only a few dollars. I wasn’t planning on making any Christmas gift boxes this year. However, they ran their 70% off sale last weekend, so I picked up quite a few boxes and baskets.
I picked up a gingerbread house decorating kit too – also on sale. My niece and nephew love to do these, but we usually don’t have enough candy to decorate the house with – so we end up buying more to supplement.
Thinking of this sparked an idea…
Making a Gingerbread House Gift
I was thinking I could unpackage the pre-made gingerbread kit, compile more decorating items, and arrange everything into a pretty gift box. I also added hot cocoa items.
Now what store-bought gingerbread decorating kit also has hot cocoa?! :)The best part is that I only spent $18 on this gift box! So many times gift boxes are filled with things that really add up. This one is cheap and the items were easy to throw together.
Materials for Making a Gingerbread House Gift
As far as materials, you can really use anything you like – you could even use graham crackers, a container of frosting, and decorating icing, rather than buying a pre-packaged kit.
However, I thought the $6.99 (plus my 25% off coupon) that I spent on the gingerbread house was worth it for all of the materials it provided
So, here are the materials that I used:
- Gingerbread House Kit – Craft stores have the best prices on these (the one I used is pictured below and was pre-made!)
- Additional Decorating Materials – Candy and sprinkles
- Containers for Candy – I used a combination of cute little tupperwares I found at the Dollar Store (10 per pack!) and condiment containers that I bought a while back and keep using for various projects 🙂
- Holiday Cups and Napkins – Dollar stores are great for this
- Hot Cocoa – I used two individual packs
- Tissue Paper – to line box or basket
- Gift Box or Basket
- Icing Spatula – I found a holiday-themed one at Michaels
- Ribbon – to add a little flair
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING A GINGERBREAD HOUSE GIFT
First, I unpackaged everything in the gingerbread kit to see what I had to work with.
Then, I added in more candy that would be fun for decorating – twizzlers, smarties, peppermints, gumballs, starbursts, skittles, and tootsie rolls. I probably bought too much candy, but variety makes for fun decorating.
I also grabbed a few kinds of sprinkles that I already had, and then I simply filled the containers with all of the sweets.
Speaking of sweet, my little toddler helped me, and of course, everything is a lesson with me – so we counted, sequenced, and sorted the candy. 🙂
Then, I put together the non-food items – cups, cocoa, straws, the spatula, and napkins.
I tied a few of the things together with some holiday ribbon, as pictured below.
Next, I put together the icing. The kit came with three icing packets along with disposable icing bags and plastic tops.
All of them were in boring packaging, so I spruced them up using these little holiday cookie bags that I have had for years! It definitely made a difference 🙂
Then, I started arranging everything. I love arranging things, whether it be cookie trays, home decor, or gift boxes. It’s always my favorite part of projects. It takes me forever, but I love the results 🙂
The gingerbread house looked a little plain so I adorned it with ribbon (another 70% off Michaels find). If anyone has an easy bow-tying trick, let me know because I am the worst at it!
Also, I found a cute Merry Christmas tag (from a Dollar Store photo prop kit!! Check out our DIY photo booth post).
The tag was simply the perfect touch 🙂
And, last but not least, my plan was to glue a picture from the original box, along with the instructions (for the icing) to some scrapbook paper, so my recipients had this information. It’s always nice to look at an already-made gingerbread house for inspiration.
I love that this gift cost under $20. The kids will have so much fun making a gingerbread house. It turned out so cute, and I love that I used so many items I already had 🙂
That’s the great part about doing crafts – your craft bank grows and grows, and then you have so much to work with.
What a cute and very creative gift idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much, Karen! It was fun to make too:)
Such a great idea! Did you get those little containers at the Dollar Tree? I love how handy and cheap those are.
Hi Helen – Thank you so much!! Yes, Dollar Tree! I need to go back and get more since I found a use for them within 5 minutes of getting home :))
Thanks so much, HJ! 🙂
The idea of an activity gift is great. Its one of a kind so no duplicates, you know they will get enjoyment out of it. An fun activity is alot more memorable than something else to own.
Love this idea.
Hi Leanna – thanks so much!! I agree 100% :))
An absolutely lovely idea, just beautiful I love the ginger bread house.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Thanks so much, Kathleen! We love your link party 🙂
Oh I love this too. What a great idea for a gift. And your tutorial is great. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea.
I hope you’ll come over and link at The Countdown to Christmas!
The party is over here:
http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/
Merry Christmas!
Thanks again, Sherry! Merry Christmas to you too!! :))
I love this idea! I’m hoping to do a gingerbread house with my oldest niece and nephew when they come in town for the holidays, so a ready made kit like this would be kind of awesome! I was already thinking they’d probably need more candy than what the kits provide.
-Lauren
Hi Lauren – Thank you! They’ll love it!! :))
I love the layout and the bow is the best!! So happy to see one that’s already preassembled! Lol!!
Thanks, ZK! Yes, preassembled is the best haha!
So cute really want to do this but don’t know if I can get it done in time. Pinning and saving it for next Christmas.
Thanks Melissa!! It doesn’t take too long – so if you have a few minutes, I’m sure you could squeeze it in 🙂 Merry Christmas!
LOVE!! This is such a cute idea!
Thanks so much, Sadie!! I love the way it turn out:)
This is one of the cutest things I have seen! So smart.
Thanks, Kristin! I love making things into gift baskets – it adds a wow factor 🙂
What a cute idea! I can’t imagine a kid that wouldn’t LOVE this gift. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday!
Thanks so much Kimm! It was fun and easy to make too 🙂
What a great gift for a family. I love the presentation. I could make homemade gingerbread instead of buying a kit too. I’ve found that since it has so much molasses, real gingerbread stays soft for days. Thanks for the idea.
Thanks so much, Rebecca! Ohh that’s a great idea:)) Merry Christmas:)
Thank you for sharing your wonderful post at #OverTheMoon. I look forward to what you will share next week! Do something special. Give yourself a standing ovation today! We hope you’ll come back again next Sunday when we open our doors at 6:00 PM EST. Pinned and tweeted!
Thanks so much Marilyn! We will see you there:)
Great idea! I love it! have to do this
Thanks, Samantha!!:) I am working on posting a cookie decorating basket too – should be posted tonight! 🙂
Incredible idea! I can see my kids helping out with the preparation of it!
Thanks for linking last week. The new link is up at Count Down To Christmas.There’s a surprise there. (insert smile)
http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2016/12/count-down-to-christmas-party-with.html
See you at the party!
Thanks, Sherry! Merry Christmas:)
What a great idea for kids and grown-ups!
Thanks Melanie!!:)) Merry Christmas!
How cute! My kids love decorating Gingerbread houses every year, and these kits would make it a much more personal tradition. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Thanks so much, Leslie!! It’s such a fun tradition 🙂
This gingerbread and hot cocoa box looks like a lot of fun!! I’m sure your niece and nephew will love it.
Thanks, Keri :)) I hope so too!
Thanks so much Jess! I will 🙂
What a creative idea and much more fun than the standard gingerbread house. This would work well for pre-made Easter baskets also. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.
Thanks so much, Sandra! yes, definitely a more fun gift to give:) Great idea! 🙂
What a wonderful idea!! You’re post was the most – and I mean a LOT Of hits – most visited post! It will be featured next week – thanks for sharing at the DIY party!
Hi Helen, Wow – that’s awesome! Thanks so much 🙂
Wow, such a good idea! Of course I know some people who would just eat it all and not bother decorating! I loved it and will be featuring it as our most clicked link from last week’s Celebrate Your Story! I hope you stop by!
Thanks Chloe!! Haha – I do too! I’m so excited to be featured on Celebrate Your Story!!! Yay! Can’t wait to see!:)
This is such a lovely idea. Very cute. My little girl would adore it. ☺ #TriumphantTales
Cute idea and great hostess gift! Visiting from Whims Wednesday party.
That’s so cute. we’ve used ready made kits before and they are adequate but you’ve made them look really special with just a few simple additions.
thats a fantastic gift and you’ve put it together so well #triumphanttales
This is such a cute idea. Would love to make this kit for my girls and give it to them on Christmas eve.
I cant wait til next year when I can get round to doing this with Ben! Right now fairy cakes is all he can do without getting bored!!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next year! Merry Christmas Lovely!
Awww it’s so fun when they get older and you can do more things! Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
This is such a fun gift! Who doesn’t love making gingerbread houses? Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks Jann!
What a cute gift Idea I would of love this as a gift
Thanks Amber:)
This is such a fun idea–going to keep this in mind for next year! Thanks for sharing at Party in Your Pjs.
Thanks Donna! It’s an easy and fun gift to give:)