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There’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family around the table during the holidays, especially when there’s frosting, candy, and laughter involved! Hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Party has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Every year, my kitchen turns into a festive workshop filled with sweet scents, sticky fingers, and endless creativity. It’s a little chaotic, but in the best way possible — and the memories made during these parties are always priceless.
Last Christmas, I decided to take our tradition up a notch. Instead of baking everything from scratch, I prefer using pre-built gingerbread houses for parties — they save so much time and reduce the mess. Pre-built houses let everyone jump straight to the fun part: decorating! Plus, they’re sturdy, which means fewer collapsed walls and more smiles. I also created a full decorating station that let guests personalize their own houses with extra candies, colorful icing, and fun toppings. You don’t have to be a professional baker to pull this off — with a few simple preparations and some smart tricks, you can host a stress-free, joy-filled holiday event everyone will love!
If you’re planning this as part of your holiday baking season, you might also enjoy reading How to Host a Gingerbread House Decorating Party, Hot Chocolate Bar Setup Ideas, or Gingerbread Biscotti for extra festive inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Party
- Perfect for kids and adults — it brings out everyone’s inner child!
- Easy to organize with minimal prep time.
- Great way to create lasting holiday memories.
- Encourages creativity (and a little friendly competition!).
Personal Tip: I always set up a few extra decorating stations for adults. They love getting in on the fun, and their houses often end up being works of art!
Recipe Talk: Stories, Tips, and Kitchen Talk
What You’ll Need
To host your own gingerbread house decorating party, gather these supplies:
- Gingerbread house kits (pre-built or build-your-own)
- Assorted candies: gumdrops, peppermints, sprinkles, candy canes, mini marshmallows
- Royal icing (see my Royal Icing Recipe) — make extra for variety in colors!
- Squeeze bottles or piping bags for easy decorating
- Disposable gloves and wet wipes for quick cleanup
- Christmas tin trays to keep each house in its own area
- Butcher paper or cellophane tablecloths to protect the table
- Small ornaments and LED lights for festive table decor
Personal Tip: Kids love variety, so I always have more candy than I think we’ll need. They end up eating half of it before decorating even begins! I also love to include homemade candies like Peppermint Fudge in Cookie Cutters or Chocolate Bark with Pretzels and Cranberries for extra flair.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Party
- Cover the Table: Protect your workspace with paper and a clear tablecloth. It makes cleanup a breeze.
- Prepare the Houses: If using pre-built houses, set them on trays. If building from scratch, assemble them the night before so they’re dry and sturdy.
- Organize the Candy: Use small bowls or muffin tins to separate candies by color or type — it keeps everything neat and visually inviting.
- Make the Icing: Prepare large batches of royal icing. Thin it slightly with water for easier piping, especially for younger decorators.
- Decorate the Table: Add mini Christmas trees, twinkle lights, and ornaments for a magical setup.
- Let the Fun Begin: Play holiday music, serve hot cocoa (try my Homemade Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows), and let creativity take over!
If you’re feeling extra festive, check out my Christmas Cookie Decorating Party or Snowflake Cookie Tutorial for even more holiday decorating ideas!
Storage and Cleanup
Once everyone’s done, let the houses dry for at least 30 minutes before moving them. Store finished houses in a cool, dry spot for up to a week. Any leftover icing can be refrigerated for future cookie decorating — perfect for pairing with my Snowflake Cookies with Royal Icing, Chocolate Ginger Sugar Cookies, or Gingerbread Men Cookies!
Personal Tip: I like to take photos of everyone’s creations before cleanup. It’s such a fun way to capture each year’s lineup of gingerbread masterpieces!
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My Tips for a Stress-Free Gingerbread House Party
- Set up the table before guests arrive — it saves time and reduces chaos.
- Make a small batch of extra royal icing in case the tubes run out or dry too thick.
- Keep a few extra house kits on hand for last-minute guests or accidental breakages.
- Provide small boxes or trays for each guest to take their house home safely.
- Play holiday music to set the mood — it instantly makes the decorating more festive.
For even smoother prep, read my post on Organizing a Christmas Cookie Baking Day — it includes tips that work perfectly for large group activities like this one!
Variations
- Winter Wonderland Theme: Include powdered sugar “snow” and edible glitter for sparkle.
- Color Theme Party: Choose a color palette like red-and-white or gold-and-green for a cohesive look.
- Mini Houses for Kids: Use small kits so little ones can finish decorating quickly.
- Grown-Up Edition: Add hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps and a cookie swap for adults.
More Holiday Inspiration from My Blog
If you loved this idea, here are more festive posts you’ll enjoy:
- Christmas Fudge Boxes — a sweet idea for edible presents
- Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary — beautiful edible toppers for cakes and desserts
- Peppermint Fudge in Cookie Cutters — perfect edible gifts
- Gingerbread Biscotti — a crunchy twist on a Christmas favorite
- Lemon Cranberry Bundt Cake — a bright and cheerful holiday dessert
- How to Decorate Snowflake Cookies with Royal Icing — another fun winter project
- Gingerbread Men Cookies — classic, cozy, and perfect for gifting
Hosting a gingerbread house decorating party isn’t about perfection — it’s about the laughter, frosting fights, and sweet memories you make together. Every year when I unpack the candy bowls and royal icing, I’m reminded that sometimes the best part of baking isn’t the finished creation — it’s the joy that happens in between.
Gingerbread House Decorating Party
From My Kitchen to Yours
Gingerbread Recipes
- Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing for Christmas Baking and Decorating
- Colored Gingerbread Cookie Dough
- Classic Gingerbread Cookie Dough – Perfect for Holiday Cutouts
- How to Make Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Dough for Holiday Cutout
- Moist Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Warm Caramel Hidden Inside
- Gingerbread Man Chocolates for Garnishing Cookies, Cupcakes, and Cakes
I’ve Got Answers
How far in advance can I set up for a gingerbread party?
I usually set everything up the night before. Cover the table with paper, prep the candy bowls, and make the icing so it’s ready to go the next day.
Can I freeze leftover icing or gingerbread pieces?
Yes! Royal icing freezes beautifully — just store it in airtight bags for up to 3 months. Pre-built houses can also be kept sealed and used later.
How long do decorated gingerbread houses last?
They can last up to two weeks as decoration if kept in a cool, dry area. Just avoid humidity — it can make the icing soft.
What’s the best icing for sticking candies?
Royal icing is my go-to. It hardens quickly and holds candies firmly in place, which is why I use it in most of my cookie decorating recipes like Snowflake Cookies with Royal Icing.
Any tips to keep kids engaged longer?
I like to play Christmas music and have mini decorating challenges, like “Best Candy Roof” or “Most Creative Design.” It keeps the energy up and makes everyone laugh!
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Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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