Gingerbread Rocks!

This past December I had gingerbread coming out of my ears.

It was suggested after last Christmas that I sell the gingerbread houses that I had been making over the past few years. I had been making them for family and friends as gifts or for them to give as gifts as requested. Never a lot, maybe 4 tops each year. So back in October I set myself a challenge, I would bake and sell 10 Gingerbread houses.

I had sleepless nights just thinking about it. How on earth would I find the time to bake and construct 10 houses? The doubts set in, maybe I wouldn't be able to sell that many? It would be ok if I only made the usual 4.

I started planning, with the concept of 10 houses. I did a little research to find out how much other houses were selling for at local markets and asked family and friends who knew about the idea of their thoughts.

I read a blog (forgive me I have forgotten which one) that had posts each day leading up to a craft market and getting prepared. I took the advise as it applied to my task. I even set up a budget, documenting all that I would spend on ingredients and materials.

And so came the day back in November that I made a facebook event open to a few family members and friends, to test the waters, see if there was any interest. As I sat in my car before work I 'invited' a few people. I had 4 orders from the family I had spoken to previously and 'advertised' that there were 6 houses left with a choice of 2 dates they could be ready on. On my lunch break that day I checked back into the event to find 2 comments. 5 houses had sold!!! I couldn't believe it, in my shock my co workers asked what was up and low and behold 2 more houses were ordered.

Hang on you say. If you can do maths at any level better than me you would know that 4 + 5 + 2 =11. Yep I had agreed to make more than I planned. I immediately placed my request for annual leave as all the new orders were wanted on or just after the one weekend.

7 houses to be ready between the 15th and 18th (depending on when I would see the buyers) and 4 ready for Christmas Eve. This was achievable. 
and then I took another order for a close friend and decided to make 2 for gifts to give.
14 houses in total. Yep I did say I was giving myself a challenge.

The budget I started worked out well. It helped me plan how much I would need to purchase, and projected the little bit of profit for my time.

With the sneaky help of my Chef Toolbox Gingerbread house mould a-baking-i-did-go.

And so much baking I did!!!

14 houses in total came out of my kitchen this summer - oh yes it's summer here in Australia and I copped 34+ degree days on the days I baked.

I think I can now recite the recipe by heart, and well next year I may even make more.


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