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I’ve definitely talked about it a few times, but as Addie gets older and more holiday treats are presented, I am left struggling. Children with achondroplasia are at a higher risk for medical complications due to weight, from joint pain to sleep apnea, so this mama is on high-alert, especially during the candy, I mean Winter, season. I don’t want the kids to live in fear of food, of course, so we opt for as many better-for-you choices as we can year ’round. So, for our first year of decorating gingerbread houses, I wanted to make sure my snack-obsessed toddler would have all of her favorites as she and I did our best renditions of our new home, which started with Honey Maid graham crackers and our favorite snacks.
I browsed through Walmart, grabbing everything we needed from dates (my fave) to craisins, pretzels, and yogurt covered raisins (Addie’s fave). To add some color, I whipped up some green coloring into white frosting and used some leftover red sanding sugar.
Step One: Gather all of your decorating items! We built our house with Honey Maid graham crackers. We decided to use vanilla yogurt covered raisins, craisins, sunflower seeds, dates, and a little red sanding sugar, holding it all together with white icing and some icing with green food coloring to give it a pop!
Step Two: I started by covering cardboard with foil, and spreading icing down as a blanket of snow. It gives a bit of “glue”, as well, to hold your house down!
Step Three: Pre-cut your Honey Maid graham crackers so the triangles you will need are ready to be placed. It is simple to do with a sharp chef’s knife.
Step Four: Place a Honey Maid graham cracker base, then build up your house with icing as glue! Add a coating to the top for snow.
Step Five: Decorate! This was my girls’ favorite… for the creativity and for the snacking!
For our family, being able to celebrate the season with a traditional activity, while keeping it better for us, is so important. Watching my girls work together to create how they see our home, from the sunflower seed walkway to the green icing covered date trees, makes my heart glow.
They shared snacks, laughter, and sticky hands. What better way to celebrate the season than with the ones you love the most? This super fun project is easy to do and brings your family together for good food- what will you be using to decorate your Honey Maid graham cracker houses this year?
My son is dying to do this. I need to get all the supplies for it. I love doing this. It is great family time and of course candy is good too!
Brandy M recently posted…S’mores Fudge
It’s SO fun! You will both have a great time!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
What an adorable idea- I bet Honey Maid grahams are much lighter and easier to work with than traditional gingerbread sheets!
They really are!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
You know… I have never made a Ginger Bread House… ever. But with the HoneyMaid, I bet I could make a really cool house.
Terry recently posted…2 Days And I Am Aready Seeing Results With Kolorex Advanced Candida Care
Oh man! You are missing out! I hope you try this!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
What a great idea to use better for you options for decorating so your daughter doesn’t eat too much sugary snacks. Your house turned out adorable! [client]
JanetGoingCrazy recently posted…Family Movie Night Dinner: Minions Rice Balls with Mediterranean Chicken and Chickpea Stew
I also loved that she used some healthier options than the general candy filled house.
Brandy M. recently posted…S’mores Fudge
The better for you snacks are awesome… then I don’t feel guilty about them having some OR even having them in the house!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
Your houses are adorable. My boys and I try to decorate a house during the holidays and it’s always a sure way to bring about laughs. They really like showing off their creation.
Brandy M. recently posted…S’mores Fudge
Laughter was aplenty here, for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
Super cute. We do the same things every year for the kids to make houses. 🙂
Brianna recently posted…Three Reasons Why Overachievers Need to Experience Failure to Succeed
Fun!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
I love this! The girls and I would have so much fun making this.
Dogvills recently posted…The Raw Diet Debate: Pros and Cons of the Ancestral Diet for Dogs
You would!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
What a cute holiday activity idea! My daughter and I made a gingerbread house from a kit this year.
Heather Johnson recently posted…Paper Christmas Ornament Craft
I love the kits, too!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
Making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve is tradition in my house. We have used Graham crackers as the foundation in previous years. They are great to use although they do break easily. Thank you for sharing and you children are beautiful!
Deshawn Keiner recently posted…Books Tell More Than A Story
What a fabulous tradition! They DO break easily… but that means more to snack on! 🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
Hum-gingerbread house out of graham crackers–sounds good to me! Especially since graham crackers have always been a favorite of mine. Put them in a bowl–add warm milk and voila-a delicious breakfast and heart warming memories for me as a child. That little house is adorable!!
Michele recently posted…Blogger Opp-Elaine’s Toffee Co. GA #Free & #Paid Options Available-Sign-Ups Ends 12/14 (12/15-12/21)
Oooh! I am going to try that! Sounds SO good!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
This is one great reason to play with your food! Very good idea! 😀
So true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
It’s such a fun tradition to build one of these. I’m sure this is something they’ll be wanting to do every year!
Liz Mays recently posted…Have a Terrific Lady Day
I hope so- this was so fun!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
I always have a hard time getting my house to stay together. I must have been using to wrong icing. My kids would love making these over Christmas break
Saidah Washington recently posted…How to Make a Canvas Travel Tote
I icing is key! Some people even glue them together!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
We love Honey Maid crackers and often snack on them here at home. I love the idea of making a gingerbread house with them during the holidays.
Toughcookiemommy recently posted…The Fold Versus Sprunch Debate Continues! #TweetFromTheSeat @Charmin #Ad
They’re a fave snack here, too! You will love making a house with them!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Things I don’t want to forget, Dear Adelaide…
That’s really cute. We made a gingerbread house once but it didn’t come out very well.
Ellen recently posted…Why I Give Back to the Community
I’ve had quite a few houses look questionable!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
I just had a memory as I was reading this post – I made a honey maid gingerbread house as a kid with my mom!! My son and I have made one this year already using a ginger bread kit from the store – but I also love this idea. Thanks for reminding me of a wonderful childhood memory.
Emily Smith recently posted…How To Make An Easy (Kid-Friendly) Green Living Holiday Gift Basket
I LOVE when I have memories like that- I hope it left you warm and fuzzy!! <3
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
The house is very cute! My kids and I love to make and decorate gingerbread houses every year, and sometimes we use graham crackers. It is always fun, and using less candy and more other things like pretzels is a great idea.
Anne recently posted…Winter Car Care with Gift Card Giveaway
I love a good tradition!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
What a fun holiday tradition!! Building holiday houses is so much fun, as well as eating the toppings as well.
Tammilee Tips recently posted…Gingerbread Cupcake Recipe!
MMMM! eating the toppings is the best, right?!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…The Random House Book of Poetry for Children