Tips for Decorating Holiday Houses

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December is a crazy time but I love to pack it all in. I like to do fun activities with the kids that create memories and one of our almost-annual traditions is building graham cracker houses or gingerbread houses. My three little guys recently made cute little houses and I thought I’d share some tips for decorating holiday houses with the kids.

1. Gather all the supplies you’ll need in advance.

This year we opted to make little houses out of graham crackers rather than true gingerbread so I went to Walmart and gathered up all the supplies we’d need, including Honey Maid graham crackers and Skippy peanut butter.

While I was finding my main supplies, I also picked up some items for decorating like icing and sprinkles. The more detailed you want the houses, the more decorative items you’ll need but it’s also fun to give the kids a few basic supplies and let them use their imaginations to create their holiday houses.

2. Attach the houses together before you plan to decorate.

My kids hate having to wait for the houses to be built so I usually do it in advance of our decorating time. The simplest way to attach graham crackers {or gingerbread} is to use melted sugar. Place 1-2 cups of sugar in a saucepan and stir it continually over low heat until it’s completely melted and liquefied.

Dip one side into the melted sugar and hold it against the side you want it to bond to. After a second or two, it’ll be stuck and you can set it down. {Note: this is a job for an adult. The melted sugar is extremely hot and very dangerous for kids.}

3. Set up a decorating station for each child.

Let’s face it, kids lick their fingers and their knives and probably even their holiday houses. Giving each child their own decorating supplies is a great way to keep the germs at bay … and prevent unlimited snacking!

4. Encourage the kids to use their imaginations.

I try to refrain from making many suggestions and just let my kids go to town. They smeared their roofs with peanut butter and added coconut snow, they made wreaths from candy, and they ended up with adorable holiday houses!

If letting the kids do their own thing gets a bit messy, host the decorating time outside like I did … or place garbage bags under the table to catch all the mess.

5. Serve a snack to make it feel like a party.

My kids will eat less candy if I serve a delicious snack and having festive food always makes it feel more like a party. This peanut butter ball is a favorite! Simply mix together 8 ounces cream cheese, 3/4 cup peanut butter, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Blend well then form it into a ball and roll it in mini chocolate chips. Serve with graham crackers.

It’s super easy and so delicious!