Making a gingerbread house is a classic way to kick off the season and get everyone in the Christmas spirit! Decorating these candy constructions is an activity that’s fun for the youngest members of your family as well as the young at heart, so invite your family and friends over and have a blast letting the creativity flow!
1. The Workshop
Before all the messy ingredients start converging on your table, you should think about clean up ahead of time. Putting down butcher paper or disposable tablecloths instead of a table linen will offer quick and easy clean up once the party’s over and lowers the risk of sticky icing and candy soaking through, especially if you double up on layers. Next, think about each person’s spot at the table and make sure they have easy access to everything they might need. Put out trays or cake boards to build on and make sure gingerbread pieces, icing, and candy are all within reach. With logistics covered, it’s time to set the mood! Appeal to all the senses with Christmas décor, Christmas music, a fire in the fireplace, and a hot cocoa bar with marshmallows and peppermint to enjoy while the icing dries. The right mood will give everyone the inspiration they need for a perfect Christmas creation!
2. The Gingerbread
If you or someone you know has some baking talent, try making your own gingerbread from scratch. Your house will smell amazing and you can snack on the leftovers, which are sure to be delicious! If you’re short on time or don’t want to attempt the homemade version, you can buy pre-made gingerbread or use graham crackers for a readily-available alternative. Whatever you choose to use, set out a stack at each person’s decorating station to get them started.
3. The Icing
When building a house made out of baked goods and candy, the icing may be one of the most important aspects. It’s what holds everything together. There are many simple recipes out there for whipping up a batch of this icing, and the ones that are specific to making gingerbread houses will be the right consistency to get the job done. Once you’ve made the icing, fill small piping bags or Ziploc bags with one small corner cut off until you have enough for everyone, and then fill a few more just to be safe. Set these out at each person’s station as well so they can get started right away building their houses.
4. The Candy
Shopping for gingerbread house decorations can be a bit daunting. With so many options, it’s hard to pick out the perfect mix. It’s important to remember that for these houses, the look of the candy matters much more than the taste, and you want to make sure you have every color covered. Some common favorites are gumdrops, jelly beans, peppermints, gumballs, candy canes, M&Ms, Skittles, and sprinkles. A single big bowl of each type of candy will get messy fast with sticky hands passing it back and forth, so try separating each candy into several smaller bowls. If you have enough bowls, you can put a small amount of each candy at each person’s station. Or just disperse several bowls throughout the table to make sure everyone has access to every type of candy.
Products pictured: Iron 3 Tier Tray, Copper Mugs, Hammered Coffee Urn with Wrought Iron Base, Norden Dark Wood Bar.