During the Christmas season, many families have traditions. Some display wreaths. Others bake cookies. Some go caroling. Others watch peaceful movies with their families. Some families have the traditional gingerbread house. But where did this idea come from? What does a gingerbread house have to do with the birth of Christ? Stories abound on the internet. But here’s something to muse over as you dunk your gingersnap cookie into a glass of milk.
Beginnings
Officially, gingerbread houses began in the 1600’s. Some claim a gingerbread house began in Germany in the early 1800’s [1]. They claim that the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale popularized the notion. Before that, Ancient civilizations made use of the ginger root for medicinal purposes to ease indigestion. Most people preferred the ginger in a cookie or cracker type of food.
Moving To America
Queen Elizabeth I came up with the idea of gingerbread men. She wanted something special to pass out to visiting officials. These cookie men were decorated to resemble the dignitaries [2]. Early German settlers brought the gingerbread recipe to America. From there, it was joined to Christmas decorations, festivities, and family fun. Early settlers made ginger snaps, cookies, during the cold winter months.
Nowadays
Cities around the country vie for the best gingerbread house in well popularized contests. These houses often resemble houses in the winter, roofs sagging under heavy snowfalls. Houses can come in kits from the local grocery store. Or you can try your hand at creativity and make one from scratch. Recipes abound on the internet, as well as decorating ideas. Any kind of candy adds dimension. This is a creative way to spend a dark, cold day in the winter. Perhaps it’s one you would like to try?
Notes:
- ^https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/dec/22/a-brief-history-of-the-gingerbread-house (go back ↩)
- ^https://bestgingerbreadhouses.com/gingerbread-house-history/ (go back ↩)
