26 DIY Gingerbread House Ideas to Make Christmas Even Sweeter
You'll find classic gingerbread houses and clever twists on the tradition!
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Bring some holiday magic to your home with one of the most beloved Christmas traditions: gingerbread houses! Not only do gingerbread houses add to your holiday décor, but many of them are also just as much fun to eat as they are to create.
The edible masterpieces in this collection are bound to inspire you. Choose from classic houses crafted from gingerbread, royal frosting, and candy toppings, or clever twists on the tradition, like a retro gingerbread camper or gingerbread house cake bombs. You can even learn how to create mini gingerbread house "mug huggers" to enjoy with your favorite hot chocolate recipes! No matter which project you choose, any one of these gingerbread houses will get you and you friends and family in the holiday spirit before you can say "gumdrop rooftop."
You can build a delicious gingerbread house on your own, for a winter date night, or as a fun Christmas activity for the whole family. Some of these projects are so easy that even the kids can participate. Just think of all the joy they'll have decorating with their favorite sweet treats! For some more pointers, check out our top gingerbread house tips to create the holiday masterpiece of your dreams.
Mint and Candy Gingerbread House
Make your gingerbread house minty fresh by adding a candy cane door flanked by peppermints. The red and white stripes combined with multi-hued candy balls make for the most colorful little house!
See more at I Heart Naptime.
M&M Gingerbread House
Red and green are the official colors of Christmas—and the official colors for your gingerbread house! A bag of red and green M&Ms make it simple to pull off this color scheme.
See more at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Candy Gingerbread House
Some people's approach to gingerbread houses is, the more candy, the better—and we're here for it! This blogger even got creative by using unwrapped Tootsie Rolls to represent stacked firewood!
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Mini Graham Cracker Gingerbread House
We adore this mini gingerbread house crafted from graham crackers! It's so simple yet with sweet details like a pretzel pathway and star topper.
See more at I Heart Naptime.
Pop Tart Gingerbread House
For a cute gingerbread house alternative, try these adorable pop tart houses! Since they're already frosted, that'll make decorating even easier.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Candy Heart Gingerbread House
Feeling lovey dovey this holiday season? Make a pretty pink and red house with candy hearts to celebrate your Christmas love.
Get the tutorial at Meaningful Mama .
DIY Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses
These colorful little graham cracker houses are super easy to construct. They'd be perfect for a family holiday decorating night or a big gingerbread making party for kids.
See more at Alice & Lois.
Funfetti Gingerbread House
This gingerbread house puts the prettiest little twist on a holiday classic. It's made from vanilla sugar cookie dough with plenty of sprinkles mixed in for added color and whimsy.
See more at Studio DIY!.
Retro Camper Gingerbread House
Show off your love for all things retro with this cute little camper gingerbread house. This project has so many fun details, like candied sunflower seed string lights, a Rice Krispies Treats tree, and a sour belt and candy cane lawn chair out front.
See more at Sugar & Cloth.
Pastel Gingerbread House
This pretty pastel confection is actually made from Easter candy, but we think it would look cute any time of year—especially if your Christmas décor features soft hues.
See more at Lovely Indeed.
Cozy Pink Gingerbread House
This adorable gingerbread house features an unexpected palette of mauve, sage green, and brown. It's the Christmas color combination you never knew you needed.
See more at A Cozy Kitchen.
Gingerbread House Cake Bombs
This decadent twist on a traditional gingerbread house features cream cheese frosting, gingerbread cake, and a creamy white chocolate coating. And it looks almost too cute to eat—almost!
See more at Club Crafted.
Gingerbread Car
How adorable is this pink gingerbread car? It's edible proof that not every gingerbread creation has to be a house!
See more at Studio DIY!.
Gingerbread Heart Houses
The tutorial for these cute heart houses involves making gingerbread from scratch—but don't worry, it's easier than you might think!
See more at Lovely Indeed.
Eiffel Tower Gingerbread House
Ohh la la! Can you even believe this stunning (and edible) Eiffel Tower is made almost entirely from gingerbread? Berets off to the gingerbread genius who pulled this creation off.
See more at Sugar & Cloth.
Gingerbread Farmhouse
Whether you live on a farm or just wish you did, this cute project is sure to bring a little farmhouse charm into your your life.
See more at My Name Is Yeh.
Gingerbread House Cup Huggers
If you don't have time to create a whole gingerbread house, these mini cup huggers are a great alternative. All you have to do is make two gingerbread house-shaped cookies and bond them together with royal icing.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Gingerbread Cake Houses
These charming gingerbread houses are packed with seasonal spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Don't forget the dusting of powdered sugar "snow" on top!
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Frosted Gingerbread House
Candy canes, gumdrops, and swirls of rich frosting give this colorful gingerbread house a magical feel.
See more at The House That Lars Built.
Cinnamon Salt Dough House
Now here's a "gingerbread" house that's built to last. It's actually made from durable cinnamon salt dough so that means it's non-edible, but you can use it to decorate your house year after year. Plus, the fresh cinnamon will make your home smell amazing!
See more at Domestically Blissful.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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