The making of a gingerbread house is a merry way of celebrating the Christmas season. The tradition goes back many centuries, originating in Germany and coming to America during colonial times. The Grimm brother's tale of Hansel and Gretel popularized the idea of building houses of gingerbread, especially ones decorated with sweet treats on which to nibble.
Queen Victoria and her prince-charming Albert popularized the tradition of building gingerbread houses for the Christmas holiday. Our family's Christmas tradition of gingerbread building has devolved into graham cracker houses - and this year, pretzels - but the candy is the key and with enough chocolate, royal icing, and gumdrops, it's easy to cover up the difference. Besides, it's not what's happening on the outside, but what's happening inside the house that really matters.
Elves enjoy a good vacation after the rush and bustle of Christmas. So keep that in mind when you're creating your gingerbread (or graham cracker) masterpiece - the better looking your house the more talented your vacationing elf. You see gingerbread houses are where elves holiday the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Don't disappoint the elves with shoddy construction, or worse, skimp on the application of candy. Be sure to allow for the comfort of your elf. Elves want a place to feel at home, a place where they can put their feet up, relax and enjoy a little peace and quiet.
New Year's Day is the culmination of the gingerbread house season. Building your gingerbread house can be done anytime during December before Christmas Day, but opening your house can only be done after the elves have all left. So no peeking before the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve - elves are fickle that way and you don't want to open an empty house. If you have treated your elf well, he or she will have left a trinket or gift expressing their gratitude for your gracious hospitality. If they're feeling exceedingly generous and their gift doesn't fit inside the house, than a note is left directing you to the location of your gift.
May you never look at your gingerbread house again, without also wondering about the elf that is enjoying the candies of your labor. Here's how our gingerbread house building, demolishing, devouring and rejoicing went this year:
The supplies: Lots of chocolate and candy, enough royal icing so you don't have to stop and make more, graham crackers (or gingerbread if your ambitious) and a platform for your house.
We also included three cute kids, just for grins and giggles. The middle one's elvish grin is befitting considering where a lot of the candy ended up.
Namely in his mouth. And obviously by the handful.
Some of it managed to end up on the house. This is what I meant when I said if you throw enough candy on the outside, you can't tell if gingerbread or graham crackers were used. I feared collapse, but the royal icing kept the walls secured.
A geometric architectural choice. Notice the octagonal shape of the walls. She built supports inside to hold up the roof. Genius.
The roof on this beauty would have caved into the middle if not for the gumdrops counteracting the weight of the graham cracker roof.
A mod pod.
I would live here if I could.
A smashing good time. The note read:
Your candy castle delight
Was such a lovely sight!
My after Christmas stay
(in each and every way)
Exceeded expectation,
so I made a gift - a token of my appreciation.
(Psst, it's in a table, run if you're able)
Love, Your Elf
He found that after finding this:
This little elf just wants to say -
Thanks for the awesome house you built for my stay!
A gift I have made you -
It's on a kitchen shelf.
I hope that you like it.
Signed, One Grateful Elf
His gift actually fit in his house. But the elf left a note anyway.
A phone for you,
Call your father.
Really, I promise
It isn't a bother.
A phone for you,
Call your mother.
No, really.
Call your mother.
From, Your Elf
Some of it managed to end up on the house. This is what I meant when I said if you throw enough candy on the outside, you can't tell if gingerbread or graham crackers were used. I feared collapse, but the royal icing kept the walls secured.
A geometric architectural choice. Notice the octagonal shape of the walls. She built supports inside to hold up the roof. Genius.
The roof on this beauty would have caved into the middle if not for the gumdrops counteracting the weight of the graham cracker roof.
A mod pod.
I would live here if I could.
A smashing good time. The note read:
Your candy castle delight
Was such a lovely sight!
My after Christmas stay
(in each and every way)
Exceeded expectation,
so I made a gift - a token of my appreciation.
(Psst, it's in a table, run if you're able)
Love, Your Elf
He found that after finding this:
This little elf just wants to say -
Thanks for the awesome house you built for my stay!
A gift I have made you -
It's on a kitchen shelf.
I hope that you like it.
Signed, One Grateful Elf
His gift actually fit in his house. But the elf left a note anyway.
A phone for you,
Call your father.
Really, I promise
It isn't a bother.
A phone for you,
Call your mother.
No, really.
Call your mother.
From, Your Elf
Happy New Year!
