Gingerbread Houses: Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Season of Giving

giving back • my world • giving organizations • bettering communities

by Mom It Forward on December 17th, 2011 | No Comments »

Give back in a fun and yummy way! I have only made a gingerbread house a few times in my life. I have always been tempted to buy the Wilton gingerbread house kits at JoAnn's and finally did this year. One of my favorite charities, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), asked me to make one to bring awareness to their Season Of Giving Campaign. They are trying to raise over 550,000 this holiday season to help families around the world keep families together while their loved ones get the care they need.

My two younger children loved the idea of having their houses put on the website for RMHC. I was able to visit one of the houses in California last month and I told my kids about all the wonderful things this charity is doing to help families. The kids knew this was for a good cause and so we all tried to make a really special house together.

Making a gingerbread house with the Wilton kits is super simple. They provide you with pre-made walls, icing, and colorful candy.

My kids wanted to create their own design. My daughter bought a slightly different kit and was able to create a really cute house as well.

Our gingerbread houses didn't turn out like the picture on the Wilton box, but they were made with love. This is exactly what the RMHC does — they create a house that helps families feel love, support, and peace.

Have you ever made a gingerbread house? What baked treats do you love to make during the holidays?

Jill Greenlaw has a banking background. She gave that up 17 years ago when she got married and started having kids. She loved being a stay-at-home mom while raising her four beautiful children. A few years ago, Jill went back to work in sales. She recently joined the Mom It Forward team and is the Editorial Manager. Her interests include camping, motorcycling, boating, photography, reading, cooking, and traveling. Put her in flip flops anywhere warm and she is happy.