Gorgeous Gingerbread House Ideas and Fun Family Activity

img 140032 1 1 — *Gingerbread House by A Homemade Living – click here for recipe and tips*

A few years ago our family held a gingerbread house decorating competition. It turned into one of those simple, joyful Christmas evenings we still talk about. My daughter Courtney and her now-fiancé organized the whole event — they brought kits, frosting, candy and even printed playful DIY certificates like “most creative” and “best effort.” We weren’t aiming for perfection; the point was to laugh and enjoy making something together. After everyone finished their houses we admired the results, voted, and gave out awards. It was fun for all ages and created a warm family memory.

We bought several gingerbread house kits on sale at the grocery store, but you can also bake the pieces yourself or pick up a pre-made kit online. Homemade or store-bought, assembling and decorating is what makes the activity special.

Here are a few kit ideas—many of which can still be found in time for holiday gatherings:

Built It Yourself Mini Gingerbread Village (available online)

DIY Gingerbread House Kit from Williams-Sonoma

You can also try a gingerbread house bundt pan — a fun alternative for creating an easy, beautiful centerpiece.

Below are inspirational gingerbread houses to spark ideas. None of ours looked this perfect, but that’s part of the charm — the process is where the memories are made. Many of the images include recipes and decorating tips linked in their captions. Enjoy the photos and consider learning a few new techniques to level up your decorating next time!