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    Home » Christmas

    Simple Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas

    Published: Nov 15, 2022 Modified: Dec 13, 2022 by Karen Kelly This post may contain affiliate links.

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and making gingerbread houses is upon us.  Decorating gingerbread houses is a fun family project that everyone will enjoy on those long chilly days when we are all stuck inside.  They make a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday table or decorations around the Christmas tree.

    gingerbread house with two children

    Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas

    If you are like me, you buy your gingerbread house premade, and then you only have to decorate it.  I like to keep it simple, and my family doesn't always have the patience to put it together.  However, we get into the decorating! One of our favorite parts is finding unique ways to use the decorations we have on hand. Whether it's pretzels from the pantry or leftover Halloween candy, we get creative.  

    Here are my favorite easy tips to make a gorgeous Gingerbread House this holiday season.

    gingerbread house ideas that are fancy

    Get Fancy

    Use frosting tips to get a petal or leaf look for the garland and trim.  Also, use frosting tips to make delicate trim dots and floral notes. Sometimes it just takes a special touch to make your gingerbread house look unique.  You can also use storebought fondant to make fancy details and it's very easy to mold into any shape you want. 

    gingerbread house cut outs like the city

    Go City

    Make city skyscrapers with lots of windows to create a cityscape.  You can buy these types of houses premade as well.  

    gingerbread house with a light on inside

    Lights On

    Turn the lights on inside your house by adding battery-operated tea lights inside.  Make sure you have plenty of windows to let the light shine through.  These houses are perfect for decorating around the Christmas tree or using as centerpieces for a dinner.  

    grinch green gingerbread house

    Go Grinch

    We all love the Grinch so embrace that unique color by painting the outside of your house Grinch green.  Decorate this house with whimsical and fun decorations reminiscent of Whoville.

    gingerbread house decorating ideas with lots of colors

    Make a Candy Shop

    Maybe you want your gingerbread house to have a bit more character.  Why not make it a candy shop and decorate the outside accordingly with plenty of colors and smaller pieces of candy?

    country gingerbread house with trees, snow and white roof

    Go Rural

    If you prefer, you can make a rural scene with country houses and barns.  These are easier to decorate as they are not as elaborate.  What really makes these special is setting the nature scene with snow, trees, and wildlife. Shingle-style roofs and Rice Krispie treat hay bales also look great with country barns.  

    gingerbread house ideas for serving desserts Christmas

    Make it Edible

    If you are hosting a holiday party, gingerbread houses can set the perfect scene for your buffet.  Plan to set up the houses as a dessert serving area.  Just about everything in this scene is edible. 

    gingerbread mean to decorate with

    Don't Forget About the Guests

    Have fun decorating the people who live in your house.  You can make some pretty elaborate gingerbread people to use in the outdoor scene, and they really elevate the look.  These can also be eaten later!

    gingerbread house with santa and trees

    Guest Stars

    Make some extra special guest stars for your house. Think Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, or even members of your own family.

    What Can I Use to Decorate a Gingerbread House?

    The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

    • gumdrops
    • Skittles
    • M & M's
    • Peppermint Patties
    • chewing gum
    • mini marshmallows
    • Malted Milk Balls
    • candy canes
    • Necco Wafers
    • Andes Mints
    • Sprees
    • Sweetarts
    • Life Savers
    • Airheads
    • Twizzlers
    • Nerds
    • Hershey's Kisses
    • Starlight mints
    • Mike and Ike
    • wafer cookies
    • pretzel rods
    • wafer cookies
    • chocolate chips
    • Froot Loops
    • Golden Grahams
    • sprinkles
    • fruit roll ups
    • Sour Patch
    • Tootsie Rolls
    • Smarties

    However you decide to decorate your Gingerbread House, just have fun with it.  Make it a family tradition to gather around and decorate houses every year.  Those are the tradition your family will remember.  

    More Christmas Ideas?

    • Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies
    • Five Ingredient White Sangria
    • Chocolate Sheet Cake
    • Peppermint Puppy Chow
    • Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread Cookies?

    About Karen Kelly

    Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find wholesome gluten-free recipes and healthy lifestyle tips.

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    Hello!

    I'm Karen Kelly a food and travel writer, health coach and recipe creator. At Seasonal Cravings you will find quick, healthy recipes and the best travel tips!

    ABOUT KAREN»

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