Christmas is rapidly approaching, and let me tell you, there is nothing more festive than good ole’ gingerbread, especially gingerbread in the shape of houses decorated with tons of candy and other Christmas-y treats. I’m sure everyone has had the pleasure of decorating one, and I’m all about a party favor that’s both cute and edible. Recently, I decided to invite some of my buddies over, and I can give you some firsthand advice about hosting your own gingerbread house-making party Christmas style.

Things You’ll Need

• A house. (I asked everyone to bring one that was either already cut into vaguely house-shaped pieces or one that was already assembled. My family and I are not so great at putting those together.)
• Icing. You’re going to need a lot of it. Just assume no one has any icing with them, and stock up like everyone you know is getting icing as a Christmas present from you.
• Candy. The whole point of this is to cover your house in food you can take home with you. (That’s right. This is Halloween, only you a) don’t have to dress up, and b) Christmas candy is sooo much better.)
• Room. Depending on how many people you plan to invite, you need lots of space, more space than you think you need. Trust me; people like to spread out.
• Christmas music and movies. Because, why not!?
• Optional: Christmas pajamas. You’re already going the whole nine yards, so why not make it a PAJAMA Gingerbread  House-making party?!

How to Set Up

• Like I said, you need space. So spread out! Wipe down everything that people will be putting food on, because no one wants to be sick for Christmas Liturgy.
• Pour all your candy into bowls. My aunt actually showed me this trick, and it works great! Just keep all the bowls of various goodies in the kitchen, and people can make a plate of the candy they need to take into the decorating zone. That’s right. It’s a zone. 

• I would recommend putting out some other snacks so people don’t munch on the candy the entire time. Pizza is always good. NDP girls really, really like pizza.
• Blast some Christmas music and get going!

Once everyone has finished their houses, take some pictures! Maybe, if your friends aren’t super competitive like mine are, have a family member judge who the winner is. Clearly, by looking at my decked-out house down below, you know who would have won at mine!