By: Katie Borders

National/World Editor

Across the globe, gingerbread house-making has long been a Christmas tradition. Families assemble and decorate their gingerbread houses with an assortment of candy and sugary icing. With its beginnings going as far back as the 1800s, gingerbread house-making is a beloved tradition that brings family and friends together to create a beautiful and delicious architectural creation. To commend this tradition, Dec. 12 is recognized as National Gingerbread House Day. 

In the 1600s, solely professional gingerbread bakers molded gingerbread, a timeless Christmas cookie staple. This business became an elevated bakers guild. Once shaped, the expert bakers embellished the gingerbread with intricate iced patterns and served at special celebrations, such as weddings and holidays. In Germany during the 1800s, gingerbread shaping developed into gingerbread house-making, with the Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel short story possibly inspiring one of the first. The gingerbread house tradition traveled to the United States through European immigrants and is now a cherished Christmas custom and holiday favorite.

Many markets around the world now offer gingerbread house kits. Developing into its own bustling industry, gingerbread house kits provide the necessary instructions and parts to assemble a gingerbread house. Some of the top-ranking gingerbread house kits include the Wilton Ready to Build Gingerbread House Kit and M&M’s Holiday House Gingerbread Cookie Kit. Gingerbread house kits are always in high demand when December 1 arrives,  and the Christmas spirit is in full swing. Known for their money-saving and time-saving qualities, gingerbread house kits are a public holiday staple. 

Inspiring creativity in its makers and architects, gingerbread house-making continues to be a public favorite this Christmas season and is a timeless and classic holiday activity to do with family, friends, or even alone. Contributing to a flourishing gingerbread industry, gingerbread house-making brings people together across the nation. With events such as National Gingerbread House Day and the National Gingerbread Competition held annually (the tradition will resume in 2025, as the recent damage of Hurricane Helene led to the tradition’s cancellation this year). The holly jolly season truly would not have the same merry nostalgia without gingerbread house-making traditions every December.

(Sources: Days of the Year, Wikipedia, WRAL.com)