Run, run as fast as you can…it just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Gingerbread Man! Growing up as children, how can we ever forget precious time spent with our loved ones creating a confectionary masterpiece of gingerbread and frosting? For me, creating my very own gingerbread house is synonymous with Christmas. I love exploring my creativity as I concoct a sacchariferous treasure filled with delectable gingerbread, sweet icing, and flavor-filled candies.

I love the savory aroma that engulfs my home as the gingerbread bakes. I always set the mood to cuddle up with my ginger friends by playing jolly holiday tunes, popping a classic holiday movie into the player, and inviting friends and family to join in on the candy-coated fun. To me, there is no better way to spend a peaceful, snowy December afternoon. Why not invite your friends and family into your home this holiday season for a gingerbread-filled soiree that will surely be talked about for years to come? I guarantee fun will be had by all!

To get your ginger sweet tooth going and to warm up those icing-trigger fingers, feast your eyes on the scrumptious gingerbread creations below. I don’t know about you, but they definitely shove my sweet tooth into high gear!

Gingerbread by Kristie Coleman

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet: Pink Paislee, Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup, Ribbon: Wrights, Felt: Hobby Lobby, Buttons: Favorite Findings, Envelope: Maya Road, Charms: Magpie Club, Ink: ColorBox (Clearsnap), Thread: Coats & Clark. Tools: Die Cut Machine, Dies: Sizzix (Ellison), Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts, Sewing Machine: Singer.

Design Notes: I used a dinner plate to trace my large circle and then I distressed the edges to hide my imperfect cutting. I then sewed it and my paper strips to the cardstock. I used a piece of patterned paper to dress up the envelope which holds the gingerbread recipe that we use for our gingerbread houses each year. Finally, I backed my felt gingerbread man with a bit of patterned paper to make his hearts stand out. Gotta love a guy with two hearts!

Journaling: Gingerbread recipe.

The Gingerbread Construction Company by Lisa Swift

Supplies: Paper: KI Memories, Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View, Bazzill Basics Paper, BoBunny Press, Alphabet Stickers, Eyelets: Making Memories, Rub-Ons: Pink Paislee, Die Cuts: KI Memories, The Paper Pixie, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Transparency: KI Memories, Stickers: KI Memories, Sweetwater, Imagination Project, Jillibean Soup, K & Company, Brads: Doodlebug Design, Thread: Coats & Clark, Font: Decker. Other: ribbon, sewing machine.

Design Notes: When you’d like to use a lot of photos on your page, a collage is a clean, streamlined way to do it.

Journaling: The wonderful, spicy smell of gingerbread filled the air as we toured the gingerbread house exhibit at the George Eastman House. This year’s exhibit was a bit disappointing, but we still saw many amazing houses. Some favorites were Cinderella’s carriage, the Sydney Opera House, the White House, a dress shop (complete with fondant dress forms), and a reindeer carousel. You were so excited to see a replica of the house from Little House on the Prairie too! November 22, 2008.

Gingerbread House by Aymee Gandy

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, The Paper Studio, The Paper Company, Ink: ColorBox (Clearsnap), Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Adhesive: Helmar. Tools: Electronic Cutter: Cricut (Provo Craft), Electronic Cutter Software: Sure Cuts A Lot (Craft Edge), My Scrap Chick, Embossing Machine, Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug (Provo Craft).

Design Notes: I simply adore making shaped cards for any holiday. I used files purchased from My Scrap Chick, Sure Cuts A Lot software, and my Cricut Electronic Cutter to create this gingerbread house. I jazzed it up with some embossing and Stickles glitter glue. This was so simple and easy to create