5 Tips for the Perfect Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Every year for the past three years, we have hosted a gingerbread house decorating party. Not only is it just a fun get together with family, but we have turned it into a competition and the winner gets an awesome prize! After the first year of hosting, I learned a few tips that will help you to have a stress-free and fun party. Today, I am sharing my tips, as well as links to some of my favorite super cute gingerbread party items!

Tip #1: Always start with prebuilt houses (unless you have lots of time!). The first year we made gingerbread house kits that were not prebuilt and it took so long to assemble them that we had less time left to decorate, which is the fun part. I suggest buying prebuilt to make it fun and easy. 

Tip #2: Create a big enough work space. I have a big family, so naturally I have big tables in my house because I host a lot, but if you do not have a big table, put together as many folding tables as possible and line all of your candy up in bowls down the center. That way everyone can see what candy options are available. 

Tip #3: Use disposable table cloths or runners. Using as much disposable items as possible makes for easy clean up. Gingerbread house decorating is messy!

Tip #4: Have a good prize.  Having a good prize for the winner gives some incentive to get creative with decorating. 

Tip #5: Have LOTS of variety. Offer a wide variety of candy and food to work with. Some of our favorites are gum drops, pretzel rods (perfect for a log cabin), cinnamon imperials, licorice ropes, and marshmallows. Wilton also makes lots of cute gingerbread house decorations. Get creative! Think year, I am thinking of using battery operated string lights to light my house up!

Bonus Tip: Have LOTS of fun! Dress up in a silly costume or wear an ugly sweater. I love wearing silly Christmas earrings for the party. It adds to the fun!

1. Prebuilt gingerbread houses are available at Target (here).

2. How adorable are these cute gingerbread aprons for kids? (here)

3. These Hester & Cook placemats are PERFECT for a gingerbread house party (here). I also love this candy cane runner (here). These are all disposable so perfect for easy clean up. 

4. Need last minute decorations? This gingerbread man garland is from Amazon (here) and ships quickly.

5. I love these invites for the a gingerbread house party. 

You can edit the text to say whatever you like (here). 

6. This pancake mix (here) and this syrup (here) would be a cute prize for the winner!

7. Here is one style of Wilton gingerbread house decorations (here). They make so many different kinds!

8. How fun are these Santa earrings (here)? They are so festive and fun!

9. These little gingerbread man mug toppers (here) would be super cute on hot cocoa or coffee served at the party. 

10. This gingerbread house door mat (here) from Pottery Barn will have your guests feeling festive right when they arrive!

11. Cinnamon imperials (here) and gumdrops (here) are some of my favorite candies to use. Load up on as much candy varieties as possible!

12. These adorable bowls from Target (here) are a cute way to display all of the candy for the party. 

13. I found this adorable girls dress (here) with a smocked gingerbread design on it! How perfect!

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