Festive Christmas Kitchen: Gingerbread Houses and Chocolate Covered Pretzels~

We made some fun treats yesterday that I'd loooooooove

to share with you.

Creating these festive goodies is just plain fun all season long!

We played lots of Christmas music while concocting  the

gingerbread houses and  I read another two chapters
 from this absolutely wonderful advent book.

The kids really enjoy sneaking in a little  Advent reading, whether that title or our 

Jesse Tree book, when we have a little down time or  "quiet" time.

More of our advent traditions are shared here and here, if you have a minute and you missed them this December!

~Gingerbread Houses~

They are really graham cracker/candy houses, because in 

the past, we've had no luck with actual gingerbread houses

 or this type of crafty Christmas house .

But these are always a hit and they're super easy.

VERY affordable too, if you get the items on sale or generic brands.

Walmart and Walgreens have huge candy sales throughout the season....!

I start buying Thanksgiving weekend little by little for our house making day.

Here's what we started with~

 Candy and house "decorations" ~

*A piece of cardboard about 8x10 or so.

*A small container of milk, 

thoroughly washed out and then stapled closed.

Both covered in aluminum foil.

House "building" fun~

The candy is "glued" to the houses with frosting for very individual looks.

The candy houses, finished~

And as lovely centerpieces~

After the gingerbread house clean up, we made chocolate covered pretzels.

They're fun, festive and super easy!~

Also, another frugal decorative treat for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day!

~Chocolate Covered Pretzels~

Here's what you need:

*melting chocolate. We use these.

*a bag of your fave pretzels.

*also, sprinkles, for added zip and color!

Here's how:

 Melt choco wafers and drop pretzels in.....

  Add sprinkles if you like and.....

 The finished product is super festive and yummy too! Couldn't be easier!

We also have wrapped each of these as gifts.

They look lovely with green or red cello and curled ribbon!

Hope you enjoyed!

We have a bit to do to prepare for Santa's arrival tonight.....

So I'll close here with a hearty MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Thank you for stopping in!

It has been a blessing getting to know you this year through the blogosphere, friends!

As always, I appreciate the time you've spent here at my home on the web!

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would you consider clicking through my link?

Here it is:

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 Friends, as always,  

thank you for stopping over and 

spending some of your precious time 

here at my home on the web!

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Until next time,

~Chris

...and BTW:

REALLY!!

Post dividers and general cutesies,

courtesy of Shabby Blogs