Gingerbread houses are an amazing way to gather the family together, let the creativity flow, and even learn a little bit about construction and décor! But making the same kit every single year can get boring, so we’ve put together 10 unique ideas for gingerbread houses that the entire family can enjoy.
A Log Cabin Gingerbread House
This log cabin gingerbread house is simple, doesn’t require too many supplies, and has tasks that even your littlest one can take on!
Start with a gingerbread house kit that you can find in your local grocery or craft store. Modify the gingerbread pieces just a bit and then use icing to stick on pretzels of various sizes. You can mix together other types of candy to decorate the house if you like. And the Gingerbread Journal even walks you through how to use jellybeans to construct a realistic-looking chimney.
Sprinkle Gingerbread House
Sprinkles are fun, colorful, and delicious – how can you go wrong? Just start with your basic gingerbread house kit, cover the walls and roof with piping gel, and add your sprinkles in whatever colors you like. You can be as creative as you want!
Wilton has an even more detailed tutorial and walkthrough here.
Bird Seed Gingerbread House
Who says that birds shouldn’t enjoy Christmas, too? This birdseed gingerbread house is a fun way for everyone to build something together and learn more about nature.
Make the walls of your house out of crackers, use peanut butter instead of icing, and add birdseed, cranberries, popcorn, peanuts, or pretzels as décor. Then, stick the house in your yard (make sure it’s somewhere your kids can watch!) and wait for the birds to arrive! Checkout the full tutorial for all the details.
Pink and Red Gingerbread House
While this is technically a “Valentine’s Day” gingerbread house, it’s also a great idea for Christmas, especially if you have kiddos who love pink! You can make your own gingerbread (recipe here) or start with a pre-made kit if you’d rather save the hassle.
Then, use licorice, conversation hearts, pink and red M&M’s or whatever other candy you’d like to decorate!
Christmas Tree Truck Gingerbread House
This one’s not technically a house, but it’s just as much (if not more!) fun! It takes a little extra work – like making your own dough and cutting out the shapes – but it’s a great piece that will stand out in your home.
Simply bake gingerbread dough and cut out each piece of the truck (doors, truck bed, grille, etc.). Use icing to “glue” the pieces together, and add Christmas tree gingerbread cookies to the back. Get as creative as you want with the decoration! You can find the pattern here.
Nativity Scene Gingerbread House
This gingerbread house serves as your nativity as well! It’s a great way to get everyone involved and remember the “reason for the season.”
The unique recipe uses honey (though you could use a classic gingerbread recipe instead) and is a bit time-consuming but worth it! You’ll love decorating each “character”, from the wise men to Mary and Joseph. Instructions and a link to purchase the molds here.
(http://www.planetsmarty.com/2016/12/15-gingerbread-houses-to-make-with-kids.html)
Vegetable Gingerbread House
Okay, okay, so this one isn’t actually made of gingerbread. But it’s a fun way to present an appetizer at your holiday party and a great alternative when your kids have had way too many Christmas cookies and candy.
Build the walls out of carrots and the roof out of celery and cucumbers. Use cream cheese or vegetable dip to tie it all together! You could also get creative with other vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, or tomatoes might make things interesting.
Checkout all their gingerbread house designs.
Blue and White Gingerbread House
Turn your gingerbread house into a winter wonderland! Plus, it’s a great tie-in for all the Frozen fans out there.
This house starts with a gingerbread kit and uses fondant to make the windows and door, but feel free to use icing – gingerbread houses are all about being creative! Then, use blue and white candy to decorate the roof, and exterior of the house. See a tutorial here.
Victorian Storefront Gingerbread House
Even though this gingerbread house looks elaborate, its boxy design makes it straightforward.
Start with a simple gingerbread dough and royal icing, then use sticky candy, candy canes, and icing sugar to decorate. You can even us melted jolly ranchers for the stained glass window! You can download the template and find full instructions here.
Hansel and Gretel Gingerbread House
After reading the classic fairytale of Hansel and Gretel, it’s time to make this fun gingerbread house! It uses frosted mini wheats for the shingles on the roof and Belvita breakfast cookies for the door.
It starts with an easy gingerbread recipe and then allows for all the creativity you have to muster! View the tutorial here.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in gingerbread houses, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. I have a depth of knowledge on gingerbread house construction, decoration, and various creative ideas for making unique gingerbread houses. Let's dive into the details!
Log Cabin Gingerbread House
A log cabin gingerbread house is a simple and fun idea that even the little ones can participate in. You can start with a gingerbread house kit from your local grocery or craft store. Modify the gingerbread pieces slightly and use icing to stick on pretzels of various sizes. You can also mix together different types of candy to decorate the house. The Gingerbread Journal provides a tutorial on how to use jellybeans to construct a realistic-looking chimney .
Sprinkle Gingerbread House
If you want a colorful and delicious gingerbread house, consider making a sprinkle gingerbread house. Start with a basic gingerbread house kit and cover the walls and roof with piping gel. Then, add your favorite sprinkles in whatever colors you like. This allows for endless creativity. Wilton provides a more detailed tutorial and walkthrough for making a sprinkle gingerbread house.
Bird Seed Gingerbread House
For a nature-themed gingerbread house, you can create a bird seed gingerbread house. Instead of using traditional gingerbread, make the walls of the house out of crackers. Use peanut butter instead of icing to hold the house together. Decorate the house with birdseed, cranberries, popcorn, peanuts, or pretzels. Place the house in your yard where your kids can watch birds enjoy it. You can find a full tutorial with all the details on the Planet Smarty website.
Pink and Red Gingerbread House
If you have kids who love pink, a pink and red gingerbread house is a great idea. You can make your own gingerbread using a recipe or start with a pre-made kit. Decorate the house using licorice, conversation hearts, pink and red M&M's, or any other candy you like. This idea is technically for Valentine's Day, but it can also work well for Christmas.
Christmas Tree Truck Gingerbread House
For a unique twist on a gingerbread house, consider making a Christmas tree truck gingerbread house. This idea involves making your own dough and cutting out the shapes for the truck. Use icing to "glue" the pieces together and add gingerbread cookies shaped like Christmas trees to the back of the truck. You can get as creative as you want with the decoration. A pattern for the truck and full instructions can be found online.
Nativity Scene Gingerbread House
To combine the spirit of Christmas with a nativity scene, you can create a gingerbread house that serves as a nativity scene as well. This idea involves using honey (or a classic gingerbread recipe) to make the gingerbread. The process may be a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. You can decorate each "character" of the nativity scene, from the wise men to Mary and Joseph. Instructions and molds for this gingerbread house can be found on the Planet Smarty website.
Vegetable Gingerbread House
For a healthier alternative to traditional gingerbread houses, you can make a vegetable gingerbread house. Instead of using gingerbread, build the walls out of carrots and the roof out of celery and cucumbers. Use cream cheese or vegetable dip to hold everything together. You can also get creative with other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or tomatoes. This idea is a fun way to present an appetizer at your holiday party .
Blue and White Gingerbread House
To create a winter wonderland gingerbread house, you can use blue and white candy to decorate. Start with a gingerbread kit and use fondant or icing to make the windows and door. Then, use blue and white candy to decorate the roof and exterior of the house. This idea is perfect for Frozen fans or anyone who wants to create a snowy scene .
Victorian Storefront Gingerbread House
If you're looking for an elaborate gingerbread house design, consider making a Victorian storefront gingerbread house. This design may look complex, but its boxy design makes it straightforward to create. Start with a simple gingerbread dough and royal icing. Use sticky candy, candy canes, and icing sugar to decorate. You can even use melted jolly ranchers for a stained glass window effect. Templates and full instructions for this gingerbread house can be found online.
Hansel and Gretel Gingerbread House
Inspired by the classic fairytale, the Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house is a fun and creative project. Use frosted mini wheats for the shingles on the roof and Belvita breakfast cookies for the door. Start with an easy gingerbread recipe and let your creativity shine. You can find a tutorial with step-by-step instructions online.
I hope these unique gingerbread house ideas inspire you and your family to create memorable and creative holiday decorations!
