If you want to level up your holidays this year, host a gingerbread house party that people will remember. From supplies and setup to refreshments and decorating tips, here’s a clear, practical guide to planning a fun and stress-free gingerbread decorating party.
How to Host a Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Gingerbread house parties are a festive way to bring friends and family together. Whether you use kits, bake your own pieces or build with graham crackers, the goal is the same: have fun, be creative and enjoy the season. This guide covers planning, supplies, staging, and simple tips to keep the day running smoothly.
Why I love gingerbread houses:
Gingerbread houses are charming, edible (mostly) crafts that make for wonderful seasonal activities and displays. They work for kids and adults alike and can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Here are a few reasons they’re so delightful:
- They’re a great group activity—perfect for friends, family, neighbors, and kids.
- They make beautiful holiday centerpieces or mantel decorations.
- You can keep it simple or run a playful contest with prizes for categories like “Most Creative” or “Prettiest House.”
- Candy makes everything more fun, and decorating is part of the charm.
What is a gingerbread house party?
A gingerbread house party is a gathering where each guest builds and decorates a small edible house. The pieces can be pre-baked (from kits or homemade) or assembled and decorated during the party. You can have guests decorate only, or build-and-decorate in one session—choose the approach that fits your time and energy.
How to host a gingerbread house party
1. Choose your date and guest list
Pick a date and invite guests early. Plan for a few hours of setup plus about 3–4 hours for the party itself. Consider the vibe you want: kid-focused, family-friendly, adults-only, or a mixed crowd. Ideal guest counts are around 6–12 people—small enough for everyone to have their own station but large enough for a festive atmosphere. For larger groups, split guests into teams.
2. Decide how the party will run
Plan key logistics in advance:
- Will you use pre-made kits, bake your own pieces, or build with graham crackers?
- Will you construct houses ahead of time or let guests assemble them?
- Will guests bring a bag of candy or a snack to share?
- Do you want a contest or a casual decorating session?
3. Send invitations
Invite people using email, text, or printed cards—whatever works for your group. Include the time, location, whether they should bring candy or snacks, and practical notes like “wear an apron” or “bring a box to carry your house home.”
4. Prep and supplies
Decide how you’ll make the houses and gather supplies. Common options:
- Baked pieces: Bake gingerbread walls and roofs ahead of time. They must be fully cooled before assembly.
- Kits: Pre-baked kits simplify the day—guests mostly assemble and decorate.
- Graham cracker houses: Use graham crackers and a milk carton base for a simple project.
Set up a covered work table (newspaper or disposable tablecloth) and extra surface space such as card tables or cleared countertops—this will help contain the mess.
Can I use normal icing for a gingerbread house?
Use thick royal icing (made with meringue powder and powdered sugar) as glue. It should be very stiff to hold walls and roofs in place. Pre-made tub icing or buttercream often isn’t strong enough. Prepare icing in piping bags, squeeze bottles, or bowls so guests can build and decorate easily.
5. Food and drinks
Offer light snacks and drinks so guests snack without nibbling the decorating candy. Good options:
- Extra ginger treats, like gingersnap cookies
- Savory finger foods: crostini, a simple snack board, or veggie trays
- Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or a festive pitcher cocktail for adults
- A kid-friendly punch or hot cocoa station if children are attending
6. Build surfaces
Provide a stable base for each house—cake boards wrapped in foil or parchment work well, as do small rimmed baking sheets. Guests can decorate the base with candy paths, shredded coconut for snow, and icing scenery.
7. Getting houses home
Have boxes or lids available so guests can transport finished houses safely. Ask guests to bring a box if possible, and keep a few spares for those who forget.
8. Set the ambiance
You don’t need to overdecorate to set a festive mood. Simple touches work great:
- Fresh greenery as a centerpiece or in a vase
- Festive napkins or table linens
- A drink station or hot chocolate bar
- A holiday playlist for background music
Reserve a display area where finished houses can dry and be judged if you run a contest.
9. Optional games or contests
Games add extra fun. Ideas:
- Ask guests to invent a short story about their gingerbread house inhabitants and vote for the best tale.
- Host superlatives: “Prettiest,” “Most Creative,” “Ugliest,” etc.
Offer small prizes such as gift cards, a festive apron, or cookie-themed kitchen items.
10. Stay calm and enjoy
On party day, take a deep breath and focus on enjoying time with guests. A few small routines help:
- Start your morning with coffee and a simple checklist.
- Empty the dishwasher and clear counters so you’re not scrambling when guests arrive.
- Enlist helpers—there’s no shame in asking for a hand.
- When things go off-plan, take a breath and let guests mingle while you regroup.
What you need to make a gingerbread house:
Basic supplies to prepare ahead of time:
- Boards or trays for each house
- Parchment paper or foil to cover boards
- Small bowls or a muffin tin to separate candies
- Icing spatulas and piping bags or squeeze bottles
- Gel or paste food coloring if you want colored icing
- Aprons, newspaper or disposable table covers, and a floor drop cloth
Types of gingerbread houses
- From scratch: Bake gingerbread using templates and make royal icing for assembly.
- Kits: Convenient and quick—pre-baked pieces that assemble easily.
- Graham cracker houses: Simple option using graham crackers and a milk-carton base.
Icing for gingerbread houses
Use a very stiff royal icing to glue and decorate. It dries firm and supports the structure. You can make royal icing from meringue powder and powdered sugar or buy a royal icing mix. For colorful accents, use gel food coloring. Melted gummy bears can work as a colorful adhesive for some decorations, but royal icing remains the best overall choice.
Candy: what to avoid and what works best
Avoid very heavy or liquid-filled candies that can break pieces or leak. The best candies are lightweight, colorful, and easy to affix with icing. Good options include:
- Gumdrops, M&M’s, Nerds, Red Hots
- Candy canes, peppermints, and Necco wafers
- Mini marshmallows, licorice, candy ribbons
- Cookies, pretzel sticks, and small biscuits for accents
Use shredded coconut, sanding sugar, or white sprinkles for snowy effects. Nuts and dried fruit can be used for pathways or rustic touches.
How to make a gingerbread house
- Construct the walls first—join two walls with icing, secure to the base, then add the other two walls and let them set.
- Pipe icing along the top edges and attach roof pieces one side at a time, holding briefly until the icing sets.
- Decorate by piping details and pressing candies into place for doors, windows, and roof shingles.
- Finish the scene by spreading icing on the base and adding candy paths, shredded coconut “snow,” and other yard details.
- For trees, use upside-down ice cream cones piped with green icing and a star tip for texture.
Tips for decorating with kids
Kids love this activity but it can get messy. Make it easier with these tips:
- Choose smaller houses for little hands.
- Protect surfaces with tarps, painters’ cloths, or plastic tablecloths.
- Line boards with parchment, foil, or wax paper.
- Use rimmed baking sheets to keep candies contained.
- Use plastic bowls for candies and offer separate “snack” bowls so kids aren’t tempted to eat decorating supplies.
- Keep drinks away from decorating stations to avoid spills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically the components are edible, but houses that have sat out for days can be hard and unsanitary. Enjoy fresh ginger treats at the party instead of eating completed display houses.
You can time a build, assign themes, or vote on superlatives like “Most Creative” or “Prettiest.” Keep voting simple and offer a small prize.
Quick tips and tricks to hosting the best Gingerbread House Party
- Save time with gingerbread house kits when helpful.
- Ask guests to bring candy or snacks to share; collect extras just in case.
- You’ll need more frosting than you expect—have extras on hand.
- Provide lots of small bowls for candies so each guest can pick a selection without crowding the table.
- Plan stations and give each guest a clear workspace and base board.
More ginger dessert ideas
If you want to add more ginger flavors to your party menu, consider ginger cookies, ginger shortbread, ginger biscotti, or a ginger latte for a seasonal touch.
How to Host a Gingerbread House Party
Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
Equipment
- Offset spatula
- Piping bags
- Small icing tips
- Rimmed sheet pans
- Large mixing bowl for candy
- Mini muffin tin for candy sorting
Ingredients
- Boards or trays for houses
- Parchment paper or foil
- Bowls or muffin tins for candies
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Aprons and table coverings
- Gingerbread house pieces (homemade or kit)
- Strong, thick royal icing
- Assorted candies and cookies for decorations
- Graham crackers and milk cartons if using graham-cracker houses
- Light snacks and drinks for guests
Instructions
To plan the party
- Choose a date and guest list—6–12 people is ideal.
- Send invitations with time, location, and what to bring.
- Decide whether to bake, buy kits, or build with graham crackers and purchase supplies.
- Plan snacks and drinks separate from decorating supplies.
- Prepare surfaces, boards, and display space for finished houses.
- Bake or assemble gingerbread pieces ahead of time if needed.
- Set up decoration stations with bowls of candy and piping supplies on the day of the party.
- Turn on music and enjoy decorating together.
To build a gingerbread house
- Construct walls and secure them to the base with royal icing. Let dry slightly.
- Pipe icing along top edges and attach roof pieces, holding until set.
- Decorate walls, roofs, and the yard with icing and candies.
- Use shredded coconut or sanding sugar for snow and make trees from upside-down cones piped with green icing.
Notes
Times and costs will vary depending on the approach and supplies you choose. Have extra frosting and candies on hand and provide boxes for guests to take houses home.
Let us know how it went!