...or just your family, to create wonderful gingerbread houses and ornaments. Crafts published on this Examiner page are usually for children, but this one welcomes all ages. Involve your children to encourage creativity and confidence in choosing colors and trimmings. Exercise discovery and motor skills with the tactile activity of squeezing, sticking and mixing materials. Most important of all, it's the time to regroup with family and friends. Make this a great way to unplug from all electronic media and bond with the family, from its creation to showing off the ornaments with pride. Here, we show an entire village of five mini houses. It's a convenient kit from Wilton that comes with everything from break-away gingerbread pieces, white and red frosting mix, pastry bags, decorating tips and several kinds of candy for trimming.
What you need:
-Gingerbread men or house kit (at your local Jo-ann Etc. or other craft store)
-Hand mixer
-decorating tips (if you have them) in addition to what comes in the kit
-2 large bowls (1 for each frosting color)
-Old hard candy (the more colorful the better) in addition to what comes in the kit
-Holiday cookie cutters (if making cookies from scratch)
-Toothpick to make holes for ornament hangers
How to:
Follow the instructions carefully, especially getting the consistency of the frosting. It should neither be runny or stiff; it should resemble peanut butter or toothpaste. Once ready, keep the frosting covered with a damp towel to keep from drying out. Work in small batches and refill your pastry bag as you go or the frosting will dry out.
Keep the photo on the original packaging nearby for reference. House pieces come in a sheet and might get confusing. Carefully break pieces apart. Attach walls and roofs, piece by piece, taking the time to let it set for a minute or two before moving on to the next piece. Once the structure is done, let the kids' creativity run wild and don't be afraid of a little mess. Remember to cover all house seams and joints and fill in gaps with frosting and/or candy. It makes the houses look more finished. Let the kids put on as little or as much candy trimmings, or you can experiment with different decorating tips (if you have them) and draw designs and patterns on the houses.
Wilton also has a kit that includes eight pre-made gingerbread people. All you and your kids have to do is mix the frosting and decorate. If you'd rather make the cookies from scratch, find the recipe here. Remember to poke a small hole on the top of each cookie before baking if you decide to use them as ornaments. As with any baked goods, let cool before decorating. Give your kids freedom to paint, glue, sprinkle and glitter away if making ornaments. Otherwise, go crazy with piping frosting and holiday-colored edible sprinkles and eat, as long as you leave a few for Santa.
It's a guarantee, once you start decorating the gingerbread houses or the gingerbread men, the rest of the family will join in.
Looking for inspiration? Visit JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix to see the spectacular Dr. Seuss-inspired gingerbread Who-ville village on display until January 1st. Just remember, feast with your eyes only, or the Grinch might show up. No, really, he does come around at different times as long as the village is up for viewing. For more information, call 480-293-5000 or click here for directions, address and hours.
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