1. Design It First

Any architect will tell you it’s a good idea to first lay out the design of your house. Kids can decide what candy they want to use, and where, which will help prevent running short on supplies mid-project. Psst! This is a great way to indulge in your Pinterest habit!

2. Use Graham Crackers or Cookies in Place of Gingerbread

We know, you're a traditionalist. But trust us, using graham crackers is a lot less expensive, and it's a great way to practice your skills before you move on to the "real deal." 

3. Make Something Else

You don't have to stick with the house theme: get creative and consider something like a train or a plane, a grocery store or firehouse or even furniture! Gingerbread couch, anyone? 

4. Use Up Other Supplies

If you are still trying to get rid of the Halloween stash, this is as good as time as any. Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Banana Laffy Taffy, Twix (wait, you have Twix left?) and other trick-or-treat classics all work well. Clean out your cupboards and use up pretzels, marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, cereal and any other food item you think could fit the bill. 

Insider Tip: Pull out the peanut M&Ms and the Mike & Ikes in order to make a string of lights or two. Hungry Happenings will show you how to make it happen.

5. Buy a Kit

This might not seem like a big "hack" to you, but if you've ever been crazy enough to try to make gingerbread walls from scratch, you know you wish someone would have just told you to get the kit first. You don't have to stick to the kit-provided decor (see above re: Halloween candy), but having some basics and step-by-step instructions never hurt anyone. For something a little different this year, check out this amazing Oreo cookie house kit. 

6. Use Hot Glue Instead of Icing

You will need that royal icing to make snowy rooftops and general designs, but relying on it to hold everything together can create a little mayhem. Try using a hot glue gun to make the key elements stick. We like this low-temp glue gun that is great for kids. As an added bonus, it dries way faster than the royal icing.

Still need convincing? Head over to My Little Poppies for details.

7. Use Something for the Structure

Here's a secret you might not realize: some of those elaborate gingerbread palaces have cardboard or styrofoam supports inside! Use empty cereal or tissue boxes and the hot glue trick above to ensure your base is the strongest it can be.

8. Use Fruit Roll-Ups for Stained Glass Windows

This is a great trick for giving a stained-glass window effect, and it's easy, too! Just cut the roll-ups to slightly larger than the window and use icing-glue or hot glue to hold them in place (before assembling). This will also hide that interior "structure" box we mentioned above. 

We love these tie-dye style Fruit Roll-Ups for that easy stained glass look! 

9. Be a Minimalist

Yes, you can cover your creations in all manner of goodies and gumdrops. But sometimes simple white piping and a few pieces of well-placed candy give the perfect "snow-covered cottage" look. 

10. Go Small

No one said a gingerbread house has to be huge to be amazing. A smaller house requires fewer supplies and is easier to hold together, which also means less frustration. You can make multiple small houses out of cookie bases, and line them up on a sideboard in the middle of a table for a festive centerpiece. 

11. Use Ice Cream Cones As Trees

File this under “why didn’t we think of that?” Turn a classic sugar cone point side up, coat it in green frosting, and even dust it with powdered sugar “snow” for a woodsy outdoor scene.

12. Have your kids make a LEGO gingerbread house

If you don't want the sticky mess that a gingerbread house sometimes makes, why not make one out of LEGO? Using bricks you already have at home, use this how-to video from YouTube to make a gingerbread house that won't go bad. 

13. Personalize your house with a photo.

Print out a mini-snap of your kids and make it so they are peeking out the window of your gingerbread house. Adds a fun personalized element and is super easy to execute. 

14. Be Patient

You can build your house in a day, but you won't be able to do it in 20 minutes. Make sure you allow for the time the glued pieces need to try: to each other and/or to the base structure. With royal icing, you need at least 30 minutes to be sure the glue has really set. Going too fast results in sliding sides and cracked walls, especially when you start adding the weight of the candy decorations too soon. But hopefully, with the hacks above, you'll find a workaround for any of your common gingerbread house-making problems.