December 21st, 2023
Gingerbread Houses are displayed front and center during the holiday season. As beautiful as they are to behold, they also are quite tasty to munch upon. In many European countries gingerbread bakers were a distinct component of the bakers' guild. Gingerbread baking developed into an acknowledged profession. In the 17th century only professional gingerbread bakers were permitted to bake gingerbread except at Christmas and Easter, when anyone was allowed to bake it. Today most families dabble with gingerbread, whether to make elaborate houses, or gingerbread cookies. The cookie dough, made of ginger, molasses and other spices, has a distinctive flavor that pairs well with coffee or hot chocolate.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread_house
Gingerbread house building contests are all the rage this time of year. However, another great gingerbread idea is to enlist someone to donate his or her time making gingerbread house components. Schools or businesses can then organize gingerbread events, wherein students or employees pay a fee to enter and they get all the material to build a gingerbread house on premises. The proceeds can be used to fund PTA and school projects, or be donated to a charity of choice.
