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Celebrate National Gingerbread House Day with family and friends - get creative and make your own delicious gingerbread house!
Celebrate National Gingerbread House Day on Dec. 12 with your friends and family! The tradition of building gingerbread houses can be traced back to the 16th century when people would construct them to decorate their homes for Christmas. Today, it's a popular activity that kids and adults alike enjoy - from baking the dough and constructing the walls, to customizing each house with candy decorations and icing.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>16th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Gingerbread Houses</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gingerbread houses began appearing in Europe, stemming from the popular gingerbread confections during Christmas and Easter.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1810s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Hansel and Gretel"</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Brothers Grimm popularized gingerbread houses through their fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel", where the titular characters stumble upon a house made entirely of sweets in the woods.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Victorian Era Popularity</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the Victorian Era, gingerbread houses became a popular household decoration for Christmas across Europe and North America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commercial Baking Kits</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the early 20th century, baking companies began to sell pre-packaged gingerbread house kits, expanding their popularity further.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World's Largest Gingerbread House</div><div class='timeline-text'>The world record for the largest gingerbread house was set in 2001, measuring over 67 feet long and 35 feet high. It was a fund-raising event by a community in Texas to combat domestic violence.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Gingerbread House Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Gingerbread House Day was first observed on December 12, 2012, inviting families and individuals to celebrate the joy of these sugary architectural creations.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Gather supplies</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find recipes online, gather all the necessary ingredients like icing and candy, and get to baking. You can also buy pre-made gingerbread kits if that’s easier.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Design a gingerbread house</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Whether you’re inspired by a real home or just your own imagination, sketch out what your gingerbread house will look like before you begin building it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Build a gingerbread house</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Using your supplies, cut out the pieces of the gingerbread walls and bake them in the oven. Once cooled off, use icing to stick the pieces together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Decorate the gingerbread house</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>This is where you can really get creative! Use icing and candy to decorate your gingerbread house any way you like.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a gingerbread house contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over to show off their gingerbread houses and have an official contest with prizes for most creative, most festive, and most realistic.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Gingerbread is delicious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Gingerbread has been a beloved holiday treat for centuries, and it is easy to understand why. The mixture of brown sugar, molasses, and spices create a fragrant and flavorful dough that can be used to make any type of baked goods. From cookies to cake, gingerbread always adds a delectable hint of spice!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Making gingerbread houses is fun</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>What’s more festive than building your own gingerbread house? With just a few simple ingredients, you can realistically construct your dream home out of food! This activity is perfect for families, allowing you to spend quality time together as you bring your creations to life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Gingerbread houses are decorations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Once finished, the gingerbread houses can be displayed in the windows or on the dining table. They give a warm and cozy feeling to any room or house during the holidays. Plus, there’s no need to put them away when the season ends — they can easily be stored in an airtight container until next year!</p></div></div>
National Gingerbread House Day is celebrated on December 12 every year. In 2024 National Gingerbread House Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Dec 12
Tuesday
2024
Dec 12
Thursday
2025
Dec 12
Friday
2026
Dec 12
Saturday
2027
Dec 12
Sunday
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