Making a Gingerbread House Gift
Crafts | Gifts | Most Popular | Seasonal

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…

DIY Gingerbread House Decorating GiftMaking 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.

Making a Gingerbread House GiftMaterials 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

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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 πŸ™‚
  • 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.

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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. πŸ™‚

Making a Gingerbread House Gift
Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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.

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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 πŸ™‚

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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 πŸ™‚

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!

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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 πŸ™‚

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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. ​

Making a Gingerbread House Gift

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 πŸ™‚

That’s the great part about doing crafts – your craft bank grows and grows, and then you have so much to work with.

60 Comments

  1. What a cute and very creative gift idea! Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, Karen! It was fun to make too:)

  2. Such a great idea! Did you get those little containers at the Dollar Tree? I love how handy and cheap those are.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      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 :))

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, HJ! πŸ™‚

  3. 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.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Hi Leanna – thanks so much!! I agree 100% :))

  4. Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says:

    An absolutely lovely idea, just beautiful I love the ginger bread house.
    Thanks for sharing this with us.
    Kathleen
    Bloggers Pit Stop

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, Kathleen! We love your link party πŸ™‚

  5. Sherry Legan says:

    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!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks again, Sherry! Merry Christmas to you too!! :))

  6. ShootingStarsMag says:

    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

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Hi Lauren – Thank you! They’ll love it!! :))

  7. I love the layout and the bow is the best!! So happy to see one that’s already preassembled! Lol!!

  8. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

    Thanks, ZK! Yes, preassembled is the best haha!

  9. Melissa Ruddy says:

    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.

  10. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

    Thanks Melissa!! It doesn’t take too long – so if you have a few minutes, I’m sure you could squeeze it in πŸ™‚ Merry Christmas!

  11. LOVE!! This is such a cute idea!

    1. eileen@justmeasuringup.com says:

      Thanks so much, Sadie!! I love the way it turn out:)

  12. kristin mccarthy says:

    This is one of the cutest things I have seen! So smart.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks, Kristin! I love making things into gift baskets – it adds a wow factor πŸ™‚

  13. Kimm at Reinvented says:

    What a cute idea! I can’t imagine a kid that wouldn’t LOVE this gift. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much Kimm! It was fun and easy to make too πŸ™‚

  14. 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.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, Rebecca! Ohh that’s a great idea:)) Merry Christmas:)

  15. Marilyn Lesniak says:

    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!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much Marilyn! We will see you there:)

  16. Great idea! I love it! have to do this

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks, Samantha!!:) I am working on posting a cookie decorating basket too – should be posted tonight! πŸ™‚

  17. Michele Morin says:

    Incredible idea! I can see my kids helping out with the preparation of it!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks, Sherry! Merry Christmas:)

  18. Melanie - Bellenza says:

    What a great idea for kids and grown-ups!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks Melanie!!:)) Merry Christmas!

  19. 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!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, Leslie!! It’s such a fun tradition πŸ™‚

  20. This gingerbread and hot cocoa box looks like a lot of fun!! I’m sure your niece and nephew will love it.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks, Keri :)) I hope so too!

  21. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

    Thanks so much Jess! I will πŸ™‚

  22. Sandra Garth says:

    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.

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks so much, Sandra! yes, definitely a more fun gift to give:) Great idea! πŸ™‚

  23. Helen at the Pleasures of the NW says:

    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!

  24. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

    Hi Helen, Wow – that’s awesome! Thanks so much πŸ™‚

  25. Chloe Crabtree says:

    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!

    1. Eileen @ Just Measuring Up says:

      Thanks Chloe!! Haha – I do too! I’m so excited to be featured on Celebrate Your Story!!! Yay! Can’t wait to see!:)

  26. 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.

  27. thats a fantastic gift and you’ve put it together so well #triumphanttales

  28. 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!

    1. Awww it’s so fun when they get older and you can do more things! Hope you had a lovely Christmas!

  29. Jann Olson says:

    This is such a fun gift! Who doesn’t love making gingerbread houses? Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  30. What a cute gift Idea I would of love this as a gift

    1. Thanks Donna! It’s an easy and fun gift to give:)

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