Gingerbread houses are an age-old holiday tradition that have certainly stood the test of time. But if you’re not the type to bake your building materials yourself, deciding which kit to buy can be a headache … and a wallet leech. Luckily for you, this writer has four kids and a tight holiday budget, so I’ve got a keen eye for cheap gingerbread house kits. Here are a dozen of the most festive gingerbread houses I could find — and all for $10 or less.
1. Trader Joe’s Gingerbread House Kit
From the A-frame to the super endearing woodland creatures, the gingerbread house at Trader Joe’s is a standout in the gingerbread real estate landscape. The fact that it’s only $9 makes it practically irresistible.
2. Create-a-Treat E-Z Build™ Snowflake Gingerbread House
The snowflake details throughout this $10 gingerbread kit from Walmart are adorable, but the pièce de résistance is clearly the cute gingerbread couple that’s included.
3. Crafty Cooking Kits Chicken Coop Gingerbread Kit
As someone who has a flock of chickens … *Add to cart.* Even if this gingerbread kit wasn’t on sale for $8.50 at Tractor Supply, I’d still want it, because it goes perfectly with the $12 gingerbread barn I just bought from Target.
4. Benton’s Gingerbread House Kit
If you’re after a traditional-looking gingerbread house with gumdrops, icing, and candy stepping stones, Aldi’s got your back for only $8.50. Just keep in mind that anything in Aldi’s Aisle of Shame might be there one day and gone the next, so if this is the one you’re eyeing, you’d better not hesitate.
5. Swiss Miss Chocolate Flavored Cookie Mini House Kit
If gingerbread isn’t your thing, the Swiss Miss hot cocoa-flavored mini house kit might be more your speed. For less than $6 at Walmart, you can grab this house, which includes the cookies, icing, candy jewels, and, as any good cocoa abode would have: marshmallow bits.
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6. Minecraft Mini House Cookie Kit
Minecraft is wildly popular, and if you’re looking for a simple yet themed gingerbread kit, this $4 one from Five Below is a good go-to.
7. Favorite Day Christmas Mini House Gingerbread House Kit
Target has some of the cutest $12 gingerbread houses that lean into themes exceptionally well (from the woodland house and treehouse to the beach house and the winter castle), but if you’re looking for something under $10, the $4 mini gingerbread house is an adorable option.
8. Tractor Supply Holiday Horse Stable Gingerbread Cookie Kit
If you’re going to get the chicken coop gingerbread kit, you might as well fully commit and grab the holiday horse stable too, especially at only $8.50. Nicely done, TSC. Way to stay on brand.
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9. Wilton Christmas Gingerbread Doghouse Kit
Wilton has built a solid reputation for offering reliable, adorable dessert decorations. It’s no surprise that they thought outside the box, err, house with this gingerbread kit. For $10 at Walmart, you can put together a gingerbread dog house and try not to bite into the included pup when you’re done.
10. The Modern Gourmet Gingerbread Mini Village Kit
Why buy one house when you can fasten your gumdrop buttons and play gingerbread slum lord, creating an entire village? For just $10 at Walmart, this kit includes four mini gingerbread buildings, each with unique features.
11. The Elf on the Shelf Mini Gingerbread House Kit
I bend over backwards to try and make the holidays magical for my kids, but the one territory I haven’t veered into is the Elf on the Shelf committment. That’s because my father-in-law taught me many years ago, “Don’t do once what you don’t want to keep doing,” and there are some long days during the month of December that I don’t want to have to worry about staging a dang elf. For those of you who do, though, this gingerbread kit seems like a good gift for Sparkle, Peppermint, or Buddy to bring, especially since it’s just under $6 at Walmart.
12. Sour Patch Kids® Build-Your-Own Holiday Cookie House Kit
If you want to take a walk on the sour side during your holiday tradition, the Sour Patch kit from Five Below is a sleeper hit at only $4.
More Holiday Stories From Cheapism
- 14 Cutest Target Dollar Spot Stocking Stuffers Under $5 — We scanned the Dollar Spot to find the cutest little trinkets, mini toys, and awww-inducing gifts that you’ll want to snag before they’re gone.
- 15 IKEA Holiday Gifts Under $10 That Look High-End — We scoured the IKEA shelves for the most impressive holiday gifts for cheap, and found some really lovely options for less than the price of a fast food meal.
- Holiday Treats From Trader Joe’s That You Don’t Want to Miss — From turkey gingerbread cookies to Camembert and cranberry cups, here are some of the best Trader Joe’s holiday treats that we can’t wait to find on the shelves in December.
