There is something about the glow of the holiday season that feels like magic. Some of the most special gifts are found in family traditions we have created and in welcoming others into our home. I have always wanted to give that same feeling to my children, to show them that the true beauty of Christmas is not in perfection, but in presence, connection, and shared joy. I have always loved the magic of the season and wanted to create it, foster it, and share it with others.
Sometimes, that magic begins simply by opening your door and giving friends and family something special to look forward to. Hosting has become my favorite way to slow down the rush of the holidays and fill our home with warmth and the comfort of belonging. They say the days are long but the years are short. In the busyness of life, I have learned to pause and make room for the moments that become the heart of our family’s story.
Long before my daughter was born, I dreamed of creating something special for her each year, a celebration she could look forward to, remember fondly, and one day, maybe even continue with her own family. That dream became our annual Gingerbread Decorating Party. Since my daughter Camila turned two, we have invited her cousins and closest friends to our home for an afternoon of sugar, laughter, and joy. It is an intimate gathering, just a few girls and their mothers, but it has become one of our most treasured family traditions.
It is truly a family effort. My husband, Billy, helps me build all of the gingerbread houses, carefully holding the walls in place while I pipe the icing that hardens like cement. Our children help us pick out the candies and happily serve as the official taste-testers. Each year, I reuse the same tablecloths, a familiar backdrop for the magic to unfold. Glass dishes are filled to the brim with candies, peppermints, gumdrops, chocolate drops, and sprinkles in every shade. I make sure everything is ready to go before our guests arrive so that the moms can walk in and simply enjoy the moment with their daughters. It is a small gift I hope feels as sweet to them as the treats on the table. I always add something unique, like braided marshmallows or pastel Christmas candies. The girls giggle as they decorate, carefully placing each candy piece, showing off their designs, and sneaking a few bites in between.
Each house becomes a reflection of its maker, full of creativity, charm, and personality. What I love most is that these gingerbread houses live on long after the party ends. The icing hardens, and the houses can be kept as holiday décor, tiny time capsules from a moment in their childhood. Each December, when I pull them out, I am reminded of who they were that year, how small their hands once were, and how much joy can live inside a single afternoon.
When the party is over, there are crumbs, sprinkles, and candies all over the floor, icing hardened on the table. And that is how I know it was a success. I will host this party for as long as my Camila will let me.
Though I know the details will change, my hope is that this tradition continues, that my daughter will always return to this memory and remember the love that built it. I pray that one day, I might be given the gift of hosting it again and again for her and for her daughter. As the sound of Christmas music floats through the house with the sweet smells of the season, and the laughter begins to wind down, I start to look around at what has unfolded, and I am reminded once again that this time of year holds a beauty all its own.
The true gift of Christmas has always been found right here, inside our home.
Create lasting holiday memories with a simple, joy-filled tradition.
How to Host Your Own Gingerbread House Party
1. Invitations
The fun begins when guests receive their gingerbread party invitation. Mailing printed invitations makes guests feel special and helps ensure the celebration makes it onto their calendars during such a busy time of year.
2. Tables and Chairs
Rent or borrow child-sized tables and chairs so the little ones can easily decorate. It feels intimate, and it ensures all the candies are within reach. The girls love seeing each other’s creations and sitting side by side.
3. Table Setup
I reuse the same white and pale pink tablecloths each year and add touches of pink, red, and bows for a classic holiday look. Reusing these keeps the setup low effort and creates a timeless look. Down the center of the table, I place Christmas accents like ribbon trees, nutcrackers, and bottle brush trees. The mix of colors and textures creates a whimsical and photo-worthy display.
4. Candy and Dishes
Use glass bowls and paper cups filled with colorful candies spread along the table. Include a mix of classics and fun finds such as gummies, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, peppermints, gumdrops, buttermints, braided marshmallows, and edible holiday-themed candies. Keep everything within easy reach so little hands can decorate freely.
5. Premade Houses
Build the gingerbread houses before the party so they are sturdy and ready to decorate. Using prebuilt kits or graham crackers saves time and keeps the day enjoyable for children and their adults.
6. Royal Icing
Royal icing is the trick to a successful gingerbread house. It is thick, pipes easily, and hardens as it dries so each creation lasts long after the party.
Royal Icing Recipe:
- ½ cup liquid egg whites or 2 large egg whites
- 4 to 5 cups (about one 1 lb bag) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Beat the mixture in a stand mixer until stiff peaks form, adjusting the sugar slightly until the icing is thick but smooth enough to pipe. It will hold its shape beautifully and dry rock hard, keeping every masterpiece intact for seasons to come.
7. Snacks and Drinks
Offer simple breakfast foods like sausage pinwheels, chicken minis, fruit, and sweets. Keep it easy for small hands to grab and for grazing throughout the party.
8. Enjoy the Magic
Have everything ready before guests arrive so parents can relax and join in. Once the icing sets, each house becomes a keepsake and a sweet reminder of the joy found in gathering together.
I have learned to pause and make room for the moments that become the heart of our family’s story.