• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
STOCKPILING MOMS™
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Freezer Meal Plans
    • Menu Planning
  • Travel
    • Travel Reviews
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
    • Kentucky
  • Life
    • Back to School
    • DIY
    • Frugal Living Tips
    • Gluten Free Tips
    • Healthy Lifestyle
    • House
    • Life and Parenting
    • Pets
    • Stockpiling 101
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Elf on the Shelf
    • Valentines Day
    • St Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • Lent
    • July 4th
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Party Planning
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Life
  • Holiday
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Life
    • Holiday
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Holiday » Christmas

    Our Frugal Gingerbread House

    Published: Dec 17, 2010 · Modified: Dec 2, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links

    101 shares
    • 3

    Every year we decorate a gingerbread house.  It is a family tradition that we started with my son and it is something he REALLY looks forward too. We hope you enjoy our frugal gingerbread house.

    Our favorite family tradition and some ideas for how to decorate!

    This past weekend we made our gingerbread house.  Since we don't "EAT" our house and it is for decoration only it is not something I want to spend much money on.  This year I decided to use a Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix instead of spending the money on all the ingredients to make my traditional recipe from scratch.  It was a huge savings!  I was able to pick up the cookies mixes for $1.99 - $.40/1 coupon that doubled to $.80/1 bringing it down to $1.19 per package.  I used 2 packages total.

    In an effort to save money we saved our Halloween Candy and Christmas Candy from last year.  I know that sounds strange but we decided that since we won't be eating the house that using stale candy would not be an issue.  This worked out perfect!  I was able to get some smooth and melty mints for less than $1.00 after Christmas last year as well as candy canes for nearly free!

    I did pick up frosting from our local bakery because we like the consistency ant it is perfect for decorating a gingerbread house with or you can make your own with this recipe - Homemade Whipped Cream Cheese Icing.  Our total out of pocket expense for our house was less than $8.00.  Years ago I  purchased Longaberger gingerbread house molds to use in my classroom and now we are using them each year for our family!  This is a family tradition that we all love. It is something that I plan to pass onto Peyton's children one day too.

    This is a very frugal Christmas project and a family tradition and we all enjoy!  If you have never tried decorating gingerbread houses because you think it is too much work you should reconsider.  This is Peyton's favorite family project during the holidays.

    Gingerbread House:

    Gingerbread House Decorating Party

    Our Frugal Gingerbread House 2013

    Our Frugal Gingerbread House 2012

    Our Frugal Gingerbread House 2011

    How To Create Meaningful Christmas Traditions

    CHRISTMAS RECIPES:

    2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

    How to cook a Ham in your Slow Cooker

    Tator Tot Casserole

    Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole

    Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    Funeral Rolls

    Easy Italian Chicken Dinner Meal

    Crockpot Cranberry Sauce

    Crockpot Pineapple Ham

    Christmas Veggie Tree

    Christmas Cookie Crinkles

    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

    Christmas Crack

    Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe

    Melissa Jennings

    Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

    « Stockpiling Success at Candy Cane Lane
    Chocolate Caramel Pecan Sandies Pretzels »
    101 shares
    • 3

    Check out these favorites!

    • Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    • 15 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 90 minutes
    • 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours
    • Crockpot Ranch Chicken
    • How To Do Weight Watchers For Free
    • Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Bread

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. suz

      December 17, 2010 at 9:11 am

      We make ours from scratch, and the cost still is probably less than $2.00 for the actual gingerbread. We will double the recipe so people can snack on little gingerbread cookies if they choose. And sometimes we decorate gingerbread people cookies for the family Christmas party. Our icing cost is VERY minimal because we also make that ourselves. It's probably no more than $1 for the best gingerbread holding icing ever. We do the same for the candy - leftover halloween, and other free or nearly free candies. We meet togatehr with two other families who also bring candies pretzels and other amazing item to use.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 17, 2010 at 3:19 pm

        You must not be using molasses in your recipe...that really drives up the price.

        Reply
    2. kathie barth

      December 17, 2010 at 9:12 am

      We do the same thing with Halloween candy ! The hard candy usually gets left behind , so great for the gingerbread houses. Thanks for the idea about the BC gingerbread cookie mix. I have some that I bought
      that is a couple months expired. This would be a great way to use it , Thanks !!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 17, 2010 at 3:19 pm

        Great idea! It would be perfect for this!

        Reply
    3. LEIGH ANNE

      December 17, 2010 at 10:31 pm

      We make our Gingerbread house on Christmas Eve every year. One of my fav. traditions! I've never made it homemade though. I buy a kit at Wal-Mart for $7. It has everything in it already and even has a santa, sleigh and reindeer.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        December 17, 2010 at 10:58 pm

        That is awesome! I love traditions 🙂

        Reply
    4. diane

      December 16, 2011 at 10:34 pm

      We use graham crackers and hot glue. Whipped icing bought on sale, and any candy is game, halloween, christmas, easter..it's all good. It's decor, not food, after all. We use chocolate and regular grahams to make houses and trains. it's a lot of fun!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 18, 2013 at 5:32 pm

        Cute idea for Graham Crackers and the Train!

        Reply
    5. Amber

      November 17, 2012 at 5:05 pm

      I have some expired BC Gingerbread cookie mix that I don't want to waste and I am making a gingerbread house for the first time, so this has been very helpful.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 18, 2013 at 5:33 pm

        Thanks Amber!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Melissa Jennings, Owner & Shelly King, Owner

    Hey Y'all!

    Melissa Jennings and Shelley King are the bloggers behind Stockpiling Moms®. Since 2009, they have been sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

    Learn more about us →

    Trending

    • Loaded Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
    • Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler
    • 2 Ingredient Crockpot Pork Chops
    • How to Season your Beef for Spaghetti

    Footer

    Join Us!

    Get all of the recipes & more delivered to your inbox Sign Up Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | RECIPE INDEX | ADVERTISE |

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 Stockpiling Moms
    DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY - TERMS OF SERVICE