National Gingerbread House Day - December 12th

National Gingerbread House Day - December 12th

NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE DAY!

- December 12th

A Celebration of Creativity, Tradition, and Sweetness

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For many, the holiday season is synonymous with sparkling lights, festive songs, and the mouthwatering aroma of gingerbread. December 12th marks National Gingerbread House Day, an ode to the whimsical and delicious tradition of crafting miniature edible homes. Whether you’re an architectural maestro or a frosting aficionado, this day invites everyone to come together, embrace their creative side, and celebrate the history and charm of gingerbread houses.

#GingerbreadHouseDay

The Sweet Origins of Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread’s story dates back to ancient times when ginger was revered for its medicinal properties. The journey to Europe began in 992 A.D., thanks to Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis, who taught French Christians the art of gingerbread baking. Over centuries, this spiced treat evolved from ceremonial uses into an art form.

The creation of gingerbread houses is credited to the Brothers Grimm and their iconic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, in which a witch lives in a house made of gingerbread and sweets. This enchanting imagery inspired German bakers in the 1800s to craft their own edible houses, a tradition that continues to delight people worldwide.

In modern times, gingerbread houses are more than just desserts; they represent creativity, family bonding, and festive joy. From quaint cottages to elaborate mansions, the tradition offers something for everyone.

How to Celebrate National Gingerbread House Day

Build Your Own Gingerbread Masterpiece

The heart of this holiday lies in the hands-on fun of creating a gingerbread house. Gather the family, stock up on gingerbread kits, candies, and frosting, and let your imagination run wild. Whether you aim for perfection or prefer an abstract approach, the joy is in the process.

Compete for the Crown

Turn your gingerbread house decorating into a friendly competition. Assign prizes for the most creative, colorful, or delicious designs. Make sure to have festive treats and drinks, like gingerbread lattes or cocktails, to keep the energy high.

Explore Gingerbread Displays

Many cities host gingerbread house exhibitions, showcasing incredible designs by skilled bakers. These displays often support charitable causes, so your visit can contribute to the holiday spirit of giving.

Dive into Gingerbread History

For the history buffs, revisit tales like Hansel and Gretel, or explore how gingerbread evolved over centuries. Did you know the largest gingerbread house ever built covered 2,520 square feet and contained 35.8 million calories? This colossal creation, crafted in 2013 in Bryan, Texas, set a Guinness World Record and helped raise funds for charity.

Crafting the Perfect Gingerbread House

The key to a successful gingerbread house lies in the icing—specifically, Royal Icing. This sturdy “glue” ensures your walls and roof stay intact. For decorations, the options are endless: gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate, marshmallows, and more.

For those looking for guidance, try this recipe from Food Network: Gingerbread House Recipe.

More Ways to Celebrate

• Host a Gingerbread Party: Invite friends and family to a house-building extravaganza.
• Read a Classic Tale: Share Hansel and Gretel with the little ones.
• Try New Recipes: Experiment with gingerbread-inspired drinks or desserts.
• Don't forget to use #GingerbreadHouseDay on social media!

Conclusion

National Gingerbread House Day is more than a day on the calendar—it’s a celebration of joy, creativity, and togetherness. Whether you’re crafting a candy-coated mansion or nibbling on a gumdrop roof, this holiday brings people closer through a shared love of tradition and sweetness. So, on December 12th, gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and build memories one gingerbread house at a time.

December 12th Celebrated History

 

• 1899

George F. Grant, the second African American to earn a dental degree, also gained a love of golf. As a dentist, he also had to be inventive. His inventiveness carried to his love of golf, and in 1899, Grant obtained patent No. 638,920 for wooden golf tee dated December 12, 1899.

 

• 1901

The inventor Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal to Percy Wright Paige. Marconi transmitted the Morse code for the letter S and sent from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to Page in St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

• 1953

Flying the Bell X-1A, Chuck Yeager becomes the first person to exceed twice the speed of sound.

 

• 1961

On the anniversary of Marconi's first transatlantic radio signal, the U.S. military launched the first privately built satellite into orbit around the Earth. OSCAR1 - short for Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio - hitched a ride aboard a Discoverer satellite that was launched into orbit by a U.S. military Thor-Agena rocket. The payload orbited the Earth for 22 days sending the message "Hi" by Morse code to approximately 300,000 amateur radio operators tracking OSCAR1.

December 12th Celebrated Birthdays

 

• Henry Wells - 1805

In 1850, the American businessman established the American Express Company. Soon after, he also helped to establish Wells, Fargo & Company. He was also an advocate of higher education for women and due to his personal struggles with stuttering, opened schools with a focus on curing the affliction.

 

• Edvard Munch - 1863

The expressionist painter is known for his dark and evocative art. One of his most recognized works of art, The Scream, is on display at National Museum in Oslo. Munch painted The Scream in 1893. He also created a lithograph of the piece which The Munch Museum holds.

 

• Kate Shelley - 1863

A fierce storm blew through Des Moines River Valley on the night of July 6, 1881. The storm washed out the Honey Creek Bridge. That night, 15-year-old Kate Shelley who lived near the bridge heard the Chicago & Northwestern tumble into the creek. Raised by a railroad man, she attempted to rescue the crew. However, when her lantern blew out, she redirected her efforts to the Midnight Limited which was bound for Honey Creek. Racing to the depot, she alerted the agent of the bridge and he was able to flag down the train in time saving many lives.

 

• Frank Sinatra - 1915

One of the most influential big band singers of the 1940s and 1950s, Frank Sinatra crooned his way into the limelight. A member of the Rat Pack, he not only dazzled on stage, but he was also equally at home on the big screen.

 

• Robert Noyce - 1927

The physicist is one of the scientists who made significant contributions to the establishment of Silicon Valley. In 1957, he and 7 other engineers founded Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation. There he developed one of the first integrated circuits. In 1968, he co-founded Intel Corporation and the company released the first microprocessor in 1971.

 

• Helen Frankenthaler - 1928

The Abstract Expressionist painter is credited with developing a direct to raw canvas staining technique.

 

• Toshiko Akiyoshi - 1929

The classically trained pianist discovered a love of jazz at a young age. During her six-decade career, Toshiko received 14 Grammy nominations and is the first Japanese musician to receive the NEA Jazz Master Award.

 

• Dionne Warwick - 1940

The pop singer rose to fame in the 1970s with songs like "Walk on By" and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Sources and References

1. Food Network: Gingerbread House Recipe

2. Guinness World Records: Largest Gingerbread House

3. Historical information on gingerbread from various sources on European baking traditions

4. Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm

5. “Shane’s Free🐝s” blog and social media content

✒️ About The Author

Shane Simar, creator of Shane's Free🐝s, discovered the world of freebies during his recovery from spinal surgery. With a passion for sharing quality no-strings-attached freebies, giveaways, free ebooks, apps, samples, and more, Shane's Free🐝s was born.

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