A gingerbread house is a small gingerbread cookie based house that you decorate in frosting and sweet treats. The gingerbread house tradition began in the sixteenth century. It originated in Germany. It began because the Grimm’s fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel”. (Avey 1)

To be honest the gingerbread house was said to be created in 2400 B.C in Greece. It later came back in the sixteenth century in Germany. In the seventeenth century gingerbread house became associated with the Christmas holidays (Zienchuk 1). The Chinese and the Europeans both had special unique ways of making gingerbread houses. In France they would have festivals. Fun Fact: In 2006 the world biggest gingerbread house was made. It was almost 40,000 cubic feet. (Avey 1)

The gingerbread house became more popular after Hansel and Gretel was told. In case you were not aware, Hansel and Gretel is a Grimm’s fairy tale. It is about two young children that ran away after their step mother was being rude. They found a house made out of sweets. They were hungry so they went inside and found a witch, The witch attempted to cook Hansel and Gretel and the story ends because Hansel tricks the witch and she ends up being cooked alive. The gingerbread house is based off the house they were lured into.

These are very fun to make with family or friends. You can do whatever you like with your gingerbread house. I personally like making them from scratch but most people vote that it is just easier to buy the store-made brands.

This is a very fun tradition to with friends and family. It is decently easy to do and it is fun for eating and making. You can be very creative and who knows maybe you could beat the world record. The gingerbread house tradition is a tradition I recommend. Be warned it is messy.

Works Cited:
Avey, Tori. “The History of Gingerbread.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 20 Dec. 2013, www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-gingerbread/.
Zienchuk, Judi. “Gingerbread Houses: Heritage, Tradition And Events.” Epicure & Culture, 10 Dec. 2018, epicureandculture.com/gingerbread-houses-history-and-traditions/.