Making gingerbread houses is a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy together over the holiday season. Still, these sweet bread structures have been a tradition for as long as anyone can remember. Whence did they initially emerge? The question is, “Who thought of it?” In order to get the answers, we need to go into the history of Gingerbread House Day and follow in the footsteps of the holiday’s spectre!
History Of Gingerbread House Day
The aroma of freshly cooked gingerbread is synonymous with the winter holiday season. But even before the ornamental cookie dominated the holiday dessert spread, gingerbread making was recognised as a distinct occupation in and of itself. While only professional gingerbread makers were authorised to manufacture gingerbread in the 17th century, anyone could make it for Christmas and Easter.
At European holiday markets and specialty stores, you could buy gingerbread in the shape of a heart, a star, a soldier, a baby, a trumpet, a sword, a pistol, or even an animal. Sundays saw a surge in gingerbread sales as vendors set up shop outside of local churches. Some people choose to celebrate religious holidays, like Christmas and Lent, by purchasing a gingerbread relief depicting a religious scene. Gifts of gingerbread, especially those that had been decorated, were commonplace at weddings and other celebrations, both for adults and children.
In Europe, gingerbread was also regarded as an expression of popular culture. Many historical events were depicted in moulds, including the coronation of new kings, their families, and lavish celebrations. Both the Bread Museum in Ulm, Germany, and the Ethnographic Museum in Toru, Poland, house extensive mould collections.
Gingerbread houses may have originated in Germany in the early 1800s, according to some food historians. The classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” inspired the first gingerbread houses. As a result of the popularity of this tale, bakeries all over Germany started selling gingerbread structures decorated to look like castles. They gained popularity around Christmas time after being brought to the United States by German immigrants.
Mind Boggling Facts About Gingerbread House Day
It is composed of cookie batter, and elite icing is utilized as the magic that binds the home and assists the confections with adhering to the walls and rooftop.
Take a look at a couple of fascinating facts about your favorite gingerbread house you probably won’t have known:
- According to research, Queen Elizabeth I invented the idea of the gingerbread man as a gift to visiting authorities.
- Single ladies in England would frequently eat gingerbread figures for good karma in gathering a spouse.
- The biggest gingerbread house on the planet is 60 feet by 42 feet and holds 35,823,400 calories.
- Individuals in Bergen, Norway, have a yearly custom of designing a city made of gingerbread houses.
- Political applicants would attempt to secure votes by circulating gingerbread treats to their voters.
How to celebrate Gingerbread House Day
Gingerbread House Day is a great excuse to go shopping for the ingredients you need to put together a gingerbread creation and enjoy it with the family. Then, have the kids decide what kind of candy and decorations they want to use on the gingerbread house. When you’re done, finish off your home with the accessories of your choice.
On December 24th, many individuals hold gingerbread house competitions. It’s a good time to have, provided that you don’t expect the rivalry to get too rough. Set up a table with a variety of gingerbread supplies and embellishments. Have a little friendly competition by building your own gingerbread houses and then casting anonymous votes for the best one. The winner can be rewarded with something special if they finish first. How about some more gingerbread?
Be sure to stock up on seasonal beverages and snacks as well. In any other case, someone might be tempted to devour all of the gingerbread. Recipes for delicious gingerbread lattes and even adult-friendly gingerbread drinks may be found easily online. A gingerbread martini a safe bet, right?
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Why Do We Enjoy Gingerbread House Day?
It was originally told as a fairy tale.
Although gingerbread itself had been enjoyed by Europeans for generations, it was the Brothers Grimm who popularised the idea of gingerbread houses. Remember the 19th century when Hansel and Gretel was published? It’s the story about the brother and sister who are captured by a witch, fattened up in her house made of gingerbread and candy, and then released (spoiler alert: they don’t stay away for long). The novel’s success inspired Germans to begin making gingerbread houses every Christmas.
A sense of playfulness and innocence is reawakened.
An adult can rediscover their inner child with an old-fashioned arts and crafts project. And that’s much more true when the resources for your handicraft are a) edible and b) chock full of sugar. Include the sense of wonder and joy that people of all ages share during the holiday season. So there you have it: the perfect triumvirate.
Also, I hear ginger has health benefits.
Ginger is the primary taste in gingerbread. It’s what gives gingerbread that warm festive flavour and mildly spicy kick. In addition to its culinary uses, ginger has been linked to a variety of potential health advantages, including relief from nausea and indigestion, reduced inflammation, and even a reduction in cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The holidays are here, and while it would be best eaten on its alone, moderation is key! We promise to keep it a secret.
Final Words
The 12th of December is National Gingerbread House Day. However, we can all agree that the best part of building a gingerbread house is eating the sweet treat afterward, regardless of whether you’re a cookie building expert or your baked house falls apart as soon as you get the third wall glued on with icing.