The holiday season is all about making memories with loved ones, and one of the best ways to do that is through the time-honored tradition of decorating gingerbread houses. Not only is it a fun activity, but it also lets your creativity shine and fills your home with the sweet scent of gingerbread. If you're looking to make gingerbread house decorating a cherished family tradition, here's how to ensure it's a fun and memorable experience for everyone.

1. Set the Stage with a Gingerbread House Kit

For beginners or families looking for an easy way to dive into gingerbread house decorating, a gingerbread house kit is a great place to start. These kits come with pre-baked gingerbread pieces, frosting, and candy decorations, making it easy to assemble the house without the hassle of baking. Simply open the box, and you're ready to go!

  • Tip : Choose a kit that matches your family's skill level. For younger kids, opt for a simple house, while older kids or adults may enjoy more complex designs.

2. Make Your Own Gingerbread House

For those who want to get a little more hands-on, consider baking your own gingerbread house pieces. It may take a bit more effort, but the joy of creating your own gingerbread from scratch adds a personal touch to the tradition. You can search for an easy gingerbread dough recipe online and use a template to cut out your house shapes.

  • Tip: Bake your gingerbread pieces a day ahead to give them time to cool and harden before decorating.

3. Gather All the Decorating Supplies

The decorating process is what really brings the gingerbread house to life. Make sure you have plenty of supplies ready to go. In addition to the frosting that comes with your kit, consider adding extra decorations like gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate chips, pretzels, mini marshmallows, and licorice. You can even use sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar to add extra flair.

  • Tip: Provide a variety of candy choices so everyone can get creative with their designs. Try to include a mix of textures and colors to make the house visually exciting.

4. Create a Decorating Station

Set up a designated gingerbread house decorating station where everyone can spread out and get to work. Cover the table with newspaper or disposable tablecloths for easy cleanup, and place all your supplies within easy reach. This way, no one has to waste time hunting for materials, and everyone can focus on creating their masterpieces.

  • Tip: If you're working with younger kids, consider giving them a small plate with frosting and candy so they don't feel overwhelmed by too many options.

5. Get Creative with Themes

While traditional gingerbread houses are lovely, adding a fun theme can make the decorating experience even more special. Consider building a gingerbread village with multiple houses, or create a gingerbread version of your favorite place or family home. If you're feeling extra adventurous, design your house like a winter wonderland with snow-covered rooftops, trees, and tiny gingerbread people.

  • Tip: Choose a theme that suits your family's interests---whether it's a classic Christmas theme, a candyland vibe, or even a themed house for a favorite holiday movie.

6. Involve Everyone in the Process

One of the best parts of decorating a gingerbread house is that it's a family activity, so make sure everyone has a role to play. Assign tasks based on age and skill level---adults can help with the assembly of the house, while kids can handle the decorating. If you have a large family, you can divide up tasks and work on different sections of the house together.

  • Tip: Encourage teamwork by designing a larger house or village as a group effort. You can take turns adding decorations, frosting the walls, or placing the finishing touches.

7. Take Lots of Photos

A gingerbread house is a beautiful creation, and it deserves to be captured! Take lots of photos of your family working on the house, as well as the final product. These pictures can be treasured memories that you look back on year after year, watching how your decorating style (and your family) has grown.

  • Tip: Create a family tradition of taking a "before" and "after" photo each year to document the progress of your gingerbread house decorating skills.

8. Enjoy the Finished Product Together

Once the decorating is done, step back and admire your work. It's not just about how the house looks---it's about the time spent together and the fun memories made. Afterward, enjoy the fruits of your labor by having a family viewing of the gingerbread house or even a little taste test.

  • Tip: If you don't want to eat the gingerbread house immediately, you can preserve it as a decoration for a little while before you dig in. Just make sure it's stored in a cool, dry place to keep it from getting too soft.

9. Turn it Into a Holiday Tradition

To make gingerbread house decorating a lasting tradition, set a date every year when your family can gather around the table to create their gingerbread masterpieces. You can even start a tradition of exchanging houses with other family members or friends, making it a community event.

  • Tip : Make it an event to look forward to---complete with hot cocoa, holiday music, and maybe a holiday movie marathon afterward.

Conclusion

Decorating gingerbread houses is more than just a fun holiday activity---it's a way to bring your family together, unleash your creativity, and create lasting memories. Whether you're using a kit or making your gingerbread from scratch, the joy comes from the process of crafting something beautiful and sharing the experience with those you love. So, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make decorating gingerbread houses a cherished tradition for years to come.