That Gingerbread Time of Year
12/09/2015
If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you might recall that we decorate gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving evening -- once all the plates are cleared away.
I always bake the gingerbread house pieces about a week before Thanksgiving. It's a rather tedious process. I use a Pampered Chef mold (that I bought back in 1992), and I have to fill the mold twice for each house. (We're up to four now -- so that's a lot of baking.)
After the roof cave-in disaster a couple years ago, I actually construct the houses in advance now. I find I'm much more patient when I know I'm not going to start gluing candy to it right away!
When it's time to decorate, we organize the candy offerings -- and let our imaginations run free!*
This year, Erin was inspired by some Little Monster birthday candles. . .
leading to one of the more colorful gingerbread houses in recent history!
Lauren opted for a more simple and traditional look for her house.
My Mom worked a peppermint theme.
And I tried something completely new (for us). I used a can of cake decorating frosting and went crazy on the roof. (It took almost a week to dry.)
As always, decorating gingerbread houses with my family is the BEST way to kick off the Christmas season!
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* In putting together this post, I realized that I never took "finished" photos of our houses (except mine); all the shots are "in progress." Oh, well. Imagine them all Even More Wonderful!
They are great - I love that they are all different and reflect each person's personality, too.
Posted by: Carole | 12/09/2015 at 08:59 AM
I love these pictures. Hopefully your family eats these delicious looking houses eventually.
Posted by: claudia | 12/09/2015 at 09:32 AM
You've got some pretty fancy schmancy roofs going there! Love it!
Posted by: Patty | 12/09/2015 at 09:49 AM
I love this tradition and all the different takes on one thing! Every year! ;)
Posted by: Vicki | 12/09/2015 at 10:27 AM
Each one of these is even more wonderful in its own way! The kids and I used to make a gingerbread house when they were young, but we haven't done it in years. I think it's time for me to bake a few houses so we can decorate them at Christmas. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Bonny | 12/09/2015 at 10:50 AM
These houses are beyond cool! What fun!
Posted by: Jo | 12/09/2015 at 11:25 AM
The houses are all very festive and you must have a great time building them (and eating candy)! What happens to the house once you're finished? Do you eat them? Does each person takes theirs home? Do you have a gingerbread house destruction party for the men?
Posted by: margene | 12/09/2015 at 11:58 AM
Cute! And a fun activity for all.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | 12/09/2015 at 12:32 PM
Oh my! Love all of them!! Tried to pick my favorite - but couldn't. They are ALL my favorites. Fear if I tried to make these, I'd have to run to the store to buy more candy as I'd be snacking on it all - LOL!
Linda in VA
Posted by: Linda | 12/09/2015 at 02:25 PM
yep, Lauren is a keeper for sure! does she know she's going to have to "top" this year...forever?!
Posted by: Mary | 12/09/2015 at 08:43 PM
So very Fun!
Posted by: Lynn | 12/10/2015 at 05:10 AM