The Gingerbread Nightmare

Do you ever see those beautiful gingerbread houses during the holiday seasons that are so beautiful? They look so simple, and look like such a fun project to do with the kids making gifts for grandma and grandpa. I could just feel it... soft Christmas music in the background, the warm, spicy smell of gingerbread filling the air, the cozy warmth of the fire on a snowy day, and my children and I building these luscious goodies sure to bless our family and friends, and all inexpensively as well.

That was the fantasy. Where was my mind? How could I forget about the little thing we call REALITY? Ever notice how professionals make things look easy? That's the very mark of a professional.

The first reality check was the store. Money was very tight and these looked like a great way to give a quality to gift to several loved ones. After we did the shopping for the candy and the ingredients for these gingerbread houses, the bill totaled nearly $75. I almost fainted. (We could have bought some great gifts with that, or even bought beautiful gingerbread houses).

As for Christmas music, the children insisted upon the Chipmunk's Christmas carols. Have you ever listened to more than 1 chipmunk song at a time? Have you ever noticed what that does to a brain?

The fire was nice, but then we had the fights over whose turn it was to stoke the fire. Two boys can fight over anything, and anything involving work makes a worthy fight indeed.

We started with the dough, and that part turned out! It was SO delicious?..in fact we had to make more because after all of us eating dough, there wasn't enough for the houses. So?.back to making more dough.

This particular dough had to be chilled, then rolled, then you cut pieces of the house out from a paper mold with a knife. Ok, got that part. We put it in the oven for baking, and half of the pieces burnt terribly. The other half were perfect, but you can't build a house with half the parts. So?..we had to make MORE dough. By now, we're not having fun anymore. It's getting late and mom is beginning to want to get this mess cleaned up now.We finished making new house pieces and it was like midnight, I had long put the children to bed and was cranky now at this point. The only thing to do now was to let everything cool (including tempers), and attempt the decorating tomorrow.

Whew?.new day, it's a wonder what a little sleep will do ya. Now we make the hard frosting that will act as glue to hold the pieces of the house together, time to build. Time for the fun to begin, boy are we ready!

We begin assembling the house, and half the roof piece breaks in two on one of the houses. On the second house, we find the pieces to not match correctly. On a third house, we overcome all these first two obstacles, and now have great difficulty getting props to hold the house together while the "glue" dries, and it's repeatedly falling apart and causing the oldest child to have a temper tantrum in frustration (mom too). Somehow through this fiasco, we end up with 1 viable house. (The others became, hard dog biscuit type things for the family pet).

Oh well, she needs her Christmas goodies too, right?

We frosted the house and each child decorated half. The end result? A $75. UGLY gingerbread house that only a grandma (with apologizes from mom), would take and not be too insulted by. But, we did accomplish one of our goals... it was a memory. A memory we fondly call "The Gingerbread Nightmare".

By Valerie Garner, mother, grandmother and candlemaker / owner of Joyful Designs in Soy. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics in a warm & engaging style. http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com

---

Mothers Day: 5 Gift Ideas Guaranteed To Make Any New Mom Happy

Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More

Simplify the Season

Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More

Cashless Gifts

Sometimes gifts that are truly from your heart have no... Read More

Children?s Birthday Party Locations and Ideas

While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you... Read More

Holiday Beauty Dos and Donts

Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday... Read More

Fun Halloween Party Themes and Ideas

Halloween is the day of the year that has the... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More

Ready for Christmas? Enjoy an Organized Holiday This Year

1. Keep a stack of directions TO your place for... Read More

Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Century

As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More

Say I Love You For Valentines Day

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to... Read More

Mother?s Day Crafts

Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More

Top Ten Things To Do The Day After Valentines Day

Why should February 14th get all of the attention?1. Water... Read More

Outdoor Halloween Decorations

Few things are more thrilling for a trick-or-treater than walking... Read More

Alone for the Holidays?

Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge... Read More

Making Mother?s Day Special

How many times have you heard a friend say about... Read More

Legends of the Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More

15 Ways to Create Some Extra Holiday Money

Originally this was going to be a list for my... Read More

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More

Jewelry Christmas Gifts That Sparkle and Shine

The joyous season of Christmas is steeped in tradition, and... Read More

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

The holiday season is upon us! It is a time... Read More

The Bloated Bar Mitzvah Celebration: 6 Ways to Take It Back

Bar Mitzvah celebrations have grown exponentially in size and scope... Read More

Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday

December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More

Fitness Tips On How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holiday Season

This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids... Read More

What Are And How To Use Free Ecard and Free Ecards

You can consider free ecards as being the same thing... Read More

Relaxing Holidays - Five Ways To Make Your Next Holiday Stress Free

For many people the end of a year is a... Read More

Nicely Designed Pillows As Gifts

Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to... Read More

Greeting Card Tango: How To Impress, Not Stress, During The Holidays

When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or... Read More

A Diamond Christmas 2004!

When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on... Read More

Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you're tired of your gifts looking like everyone else's,... Read More

Glorious Holiday Decorating: Ten Tips

If you're looking for ways to decorate your home in... Read More

Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking will Bring the Family Together During The Holidays

No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More

Dont Forget Grandmom - Shes an Earth Angel Too!

Have you ever thought what you would do without your... Read More