GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING PARTY

Decorating a gingerbread house is a centuries-old holiday tradition. Sugary creations topped with delectable, colorful candies—what better way is there to celebrate the season? Gather friends and family together for a kid-friendly Christmas party that makes everyone’s holiday a little sweeter.

GET THE LOOK

Let the kid-at-heart be your inspiration when planning your party decorations. Brightly colored gumdrops, candy canes, and gummies take center stage. Jars of marshmallows and vintage-inspired hard candies are easy centerpieces.

I topped a long farm table with a paper table runner and paper place mats. Child-friendly and easy to clean up, paper table coverings are totally on trend. These red-and-white-striped table runners and candy cane place mats were playful and geometrically chic.

A completed gingerbread house makes a perfect centerpiece for the table. Not only is it a great focal point, but it also serves as inspiration for party guests while they decorate their own houses. Guests were wowed by the gingerbread replica I made of Nashville’s Draper James storefront. Make your own replica of your home, a city landmark, or a favorite childhood memory. I also decorated giant gingerbread men and gingerbread snowflakes, showcasing them in sugar-filled glass hurricanes to create snowy dioramas.

THE MENU

Everyone will undoubtedly have a blast eating candy while decorating their gingerbread houses, so keep the additional refreshments to a minimum. Hot chocolate is a crowd-pleaser for children and adults alike. I topped mugs with giant homemade marshmallows and peppermint sticks, and I constructed miniature gingerbread houses to perch on the rim of each mug. A tray of decorated sugar cookies and gingerbread men not only aligns with the theme, but the treats were also irresistible.

MAKE IT AHEAD

Gingerbread houses can be preassembled up to a week in advance.

ENJOY THE PARTY!

Construct the gingerbread houses for each child ahead of time so that all the kids have to do is have fun decorating. You can buy premade kits or bake and construct your own (pages 162–163).

I made the gingerbread house the centerpiece of each place setting and added a personalized name card and paper cups full of assorted candies. Each guest was given a pastry bag filled with icing to decorate with and to attach the candy to their holiday home. Younger children may need a little help with this part, so parents can ice while the kids attach the candy.

Have cake boxes on hand to send kids home with their finished gingerbread houses, and use favor bags to let everyone take home extra candy.