How To Throw A Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Party!

This is a "How To" for an ADULT gingerbread house decorating party.

Even though it's an "adult" party, some kids always end up attending just for fun.

I can be a pretty competitive person so I couldn't just throw a regular decorating party!

After a guest finishes their creation, I take a short video to put on Facebook. When everyone is done, I make a post on Facebook and let the social media friends vote!

The first Gingerbread contest I ever hosted, I bought everyone the same pre-built house and every guest decorated with the candy I had bought (this was also the start of my expansive decorating supply stash.)

This was not only expensive but also a little boring. My goal for gatherings and parties is to spend money to make the day/night great, but to not go broke (cause I am not rolling in the dough!)

When the next years party came around, I had my guests bring their own "house."

THIS is where the creativity started coming out in the guests and myself!

I Pinterested so many ideas for my houses and have been coming up with some great ones throughout the years

GETTING THE HOUSE READY

To get the house ready for a decorating party, you have to think of all the things that are going to be needed throughout the event. This includes placement of garbage's so guests can easily clean up their area without having to trek across the entire room (this is also important if it is harder to move around with all that is happening and smaller spaces)

Extra items to have that you may not have thought of include:

• Scissors at every table

• Roll of paper towels or napkins set around or at each station

• Extra frosting (Most kits come with a tube of frosting but I learned early on that extra is always needed)

• Butter knives and frosting spatulas (at each table or next to extra frosting

• Table cloths

• Cardboard squares for anybody that may need more of a base for their house (this is only an option if you have extra time or really want to. I like to build more of a yard for my house so I find it helpful to have extra space to do so)

If this is your first gingerbread decorating party, do not feel like you have to buy all sprinkles or candies and extras. Whatever you can afford or find will be good enough!

With that being said, do not pass on the unconventional food stuff for decorating!

Things to consider:

• Wasabi peas

• Banana chips

• Sunflower seeds

• Pumpkin seeds

• Dehydrated Vegetable chips

• Fresh herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage

• Dried fruit

• Pasta (Spaghetti noodles makes a great roof!)

• Also browse the cake decorating aisle, lots of great ideas can come from this!

I recommend setting up all the decorating items in a location that is easy to get to for all the guests

This party I set a plate aside and created a color theme for my house. I suggest giving every guest a plate to do the same to save time going back and forth to the decoration table

Providing lunch or dinner during the party is a nice gesture that will go over well. Pizza is simple and easy. Anything that is easy to grab and doesn't require silverware is good because candy will be all over the place (making room hard to find) and frosting will be EVERYWHERE!

Also, If you are looking for an added festive element to your party, I HIGHLY recommend a hot chocolate bar!

Grocery stores can carry flavored to gourmet marshmallows and other "add ins"

Below is a link to my recipe for hot chocolate and tips for a memorable Hot Chololate Bar

A hot chocolate bar is a MUST for this party! All guests enjoy a warm chocolate drink. Pairing hot chocolate with marshmallows, peppermint, and more chocolate makes it festive

Here is the recipe for my Hot Chocolate

I hope this post gives you a great direction and ideas for you to throw an amazing party!

As always, make it your own and most importantly...Have Fun!