The holiday season is the perfect time of year to make some amazing gingerbread houses! Whether you’re looking for traditional designs or something more modern, there are tons of ideas out there. From decorating tips to creative alternatives, we’ve compiled a list of gingerbread house ideas to delight this holiday season.
Traditional Gingerbread House Designs
For those who love the classic look and feel of gingerbread houses, there’s plenty of inspiration available. The options are seemingly endless when it comes to materials like royal icing, candy canes, lollipops, gumdrops, sugar cookies, peppermints, and more. Get creative with colors and decorations that evoke memories of years gone by.
Modern Gingerbread House Design Options
Not everyone loves the traditional style – some people prefer a modern take on gingerbread houses. This can be achieved through a combination of contemporary elements such as fondant icing, geometric shapes, metallic accents, or unique color combinations. A modern twist can really set your creation apart from the crowd.
Decorating Tips for Your Gingerbread Houses
Whether you choose a classic design or go with something more modern, there are many ways to customize your gingerbread house to fit your taste. One way to add personality is to use decorative touches like ribbons, lace, glitter, beads, and other embellishments. Another great tip is to use different types of candy to create unique patterns and textures.
Chocolate-Themed Gingerbread Houses
If you’re a chocolate lover, why not try making a chocolate-themed gingerbread house? Start off by baking a large batch of chocolate chip cookie dough and then cut it into various shapes before assembling them together to form walls and roofs. To complete the look, cover the exterior with melted dark or white chocolate and top it off with crushed candy cane pieces.
Gingerbread Villages and Cities
If you want to up the ante, consider building an entire village or city using gingerbread houses. You can even invite friends over to help build and decorate each individual structure in the same theme. For example, if you have a group of children helping out, you could assign each person their own house to decorate and then put them all together at the end.
Creative Alternatives to Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread isn’t your only option for making impressive structures during the holidays. If you don’t have the time (or skill) required for constructing a gingerbread house, why not opt for paper crafts instead? With construction paper, glue sticks, scissors, markers, sequins and other craft supplies, you can create beautiful structures just as easily.
Creating a Gingerbread House Kit
Making gingerbread houses can be time consuming – but with a little bit of planning ahead you can save yourself hours of effort by creating a pre-assembled kit. All you need to do is bake the components separately, package everything up nicely and include instructions on how to assemble and decorate the house. That way, all the recipient needs to do is unpack the box and get started right away!
Using Online Tutorials to Create an Amazing Gingerbread House
Another great resource for gingerbread house ideas is online tutorials. There are so many helpful videos out there with step-by-step instructions on how to construct and decorate your own masterpiece. Just remember to keep it simple; start off with a basic template and then add flourishes as your confidence grows.
Storing and Preserving Your Gingerbread Houses
Once your gingerbread houses are built and decorated, you’ll want to store them in airtight containers so they remain fresh for as long as possible. If done correctly, these structures should last for several weeks if kept cool and dry. So enjoy your creations while they last!
In conclusion, crafting gingerbread houses is always a fun activity during the holidays – no matter what age you are! With a little bit of creativity and some help from our suggestions above, you’ll have plenty of ideas to work with this season. Happy Holidays!
I am an inspired, life-long homesteader with a heart for simple, sustainable living. Growing up surrounded by farmland in the rural Midwest, I developed a deep respect for nature and the rewards of cultivating your own land. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others become homesteaders, too. Through my website therootedhomestead.com, I share my DIY tips, share inspiring stories of other homesteaders, and provide resources for anyone who dreams of growing their own food or living off the land. I hope to open a door to a more joyful, meaningful and purposeful life for all.
