13 Best Homemade Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas To Try  

This post is all about cute DIY gingerbread house decorating ideas.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, decorating gingerbread houses is one of the most fun (and delicious) holiday traditions. 

From colorful candies to clever icing techniques, there are tons of ways to get creative and make your gingerbread special this year. 

These gingerbread house ideas are perfect for a cozy night in decorating or if you are looking for inspiration for a gingerbread house contest! At the end of the post, we will share some gingerbread house-building techniques to ensure you get to enjoy your creation for longer. 

Let’s get building!

Cute Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas

1. Rainbow gingerbread house using colorful candy

Keep things light and fun with a rainbow gingerbread house! This is the perfect gingerbread house for kids to help create as well.

Gather all of your favorite colorful candies and stick them all over your house in creative ways.

This gingerbread house is probably the most eclectic on the list but it is so fun to let your creativity run wild and design a gingerbread house the whole family will love munching on!  

2. Gingerbread cottage house with cute bows

Recreate this dreamy gingerbread cottage house. I adore the little silk bows on top that give the house that extra sweet look.

To create the intricate design be sure to use a frosting piping bag that has a super tiny opening.

Another way to create a lace look with icing is to make it on a super cold baking tray (with a layer of parchment paper) and let it harden in the freezer, then apply it to your gingerbread house! 

3. A-frame gingerbread house for a modern look

Create a modern gingerbread house with an A-frame design.

If you are new to building gingerbread homes this is a great design to start with because you only need to attach the two sides of the roof together! It is way easier than making a cube like gingerbread house.

4. Use icing as icicles falling off the roof 

Make it a white Christmas by creating icicles with frosting! The dripping frosting off the roof really adds that seasonal touch to your winter-wonderland-themed gingerbread house. 

5. Use marshmallows to create characters 

Use marshmallows, toothpicks, and different colored icing to create characters that “live” in your gingerbread house.

You can make reindeer, Santa, Elves, and more by simply using different-sized marshmallows.

For a funny gingerbread house, you can have your characters shoveling snow, making a snowman, putting up Christmas lights etc. 

6. Use gingerbread cookies to create characters, trees etc. 

If you are making a gingerbread house from scratch, save some of the dough to make gingerbread cookies! 

These are fun to decorate just on their own or you can use them to enhance your gingerbread house scenery. 

You can add Christmas trees around the house or even a few classic gingerbread people! 

7. Decorate the gingerbread house roof with candies

Get a big bag of chocolates, jelly beans, or colorful sour candies to cover the roof of your gingerbread house. 

Even a simple pattern of a few colors can make your creation look next level! It make take a little extra time but it is the perfect activity to get a group of friends to help with or do while you are watching a Christmas movie! 

8. Cut windows in your gingerbread creation

Add some unique windows to your house! I am obsessed with this heart window. The cute windows on the side are another simple but beautiful touch!

The key to adding windows to your gingerbread house is to cut the windows after you are done baking the gingerbread, that way they don’t distort in the oven. 

Use a sharp knife and cut slowly so you don’t crack your cookies! 

9. Cover the whole house with icing and add smaller cookies and signs as Christmas decor

Smother your whole gingerbread house in icing! Use a spatula to completely cover your house. This makes the perfect base to stick on small cookies, candies, and holiday signs.

If you want a gingerbread house that is a unique color, just mix some food coloring into the white frosting.

Pink gingerbread houses, tie dye or a polka dot house could be super cute and definitely unique! 

10. Use fruit to bring pops of color

Mix things up and bring in some natural sweetness to your gingerbread house designs! Use dehydrated fruit, nuts, or even fresh fruit to bring some color and freshness to your creation.

Make sure to dry off your fruit if you are using fresh fruit because the moisture could make your house crumble. 

The vibrant colors are the perfect contrast against the traditional gingerbread dough color.

11. Use powdered sugar to dust the house to look like snow

Use a bit of powdered sugar to dust your gingerbread house. It looks like snow and is perfect if you want a simple gingerbread house that still has some character!

These finishing touches can take a classic Christmas gingerbread house to the next level! 

12. Create a village of houses and use a bundt cake for support (and an extra sweet treat!)

Sometimes the best part of a gingerbread house is simply making it rather than eating it. They can be too pretty to eat and it ends up going bad! 

Instead, make a gingerbread cake out of gingerbread cookies and a bundt cake. Rather than one single gingerbread house, you can create a little village or neighborhood of houses! 

13. Create mini gingerbread houses for a winter wonderland village

You don’t have to create a gigantic gingerbread house! Maybe try making a mini house or a few mini houses. They are adorable and make the perfect snack or cupcake topper! 

Gingerbread decorating supplies 

There are tons of gingerbread house kits that you can purchase or you can DIY one. Some local bakeries will make kits so try to support those if you come across that! 

If you choose to make one at home here is what you will need: 

• Gingerbread dough 
• Your favorite candy to decorate 
• Royal icing (You can use vegan meringue powder or aquafaba to make a vegan version) 
• Spoons, spatulas etc. to spread icing
• Tools; baking sheets, parchment paper, rolling pin, cookie cutters, piping bags & tips
• Optional: toothpicks for stabilization as the icing dries

What are the best sweets to decorate a gingerbread house?

The best sweets to decorate a gingerbread house will depend on personal preference but here are some popular ideas to start with! 

• Candy Canes – A Christmas classic that is perfect for framing doorways, windows, or decorative fences.
• Gumdrops – Bring some color with gumdrops that are perfect for roofs, windows, or pathways.
• Peppermint Swirls – Great as a classic holiday accent or as the base for wreaths.
• Mini Marshmallows – Can be used as piles of snow in the yard or on the rooftop. 
• M&Ms or Skittles – Make colorful patterns on the roof, walls, and pathways.
• Jelly Beans – Add a pop of color to pathways or garden areas.
• Sprinkles – Sprinkle over icing for extra texture and sparkle. Use glitter sprinkles or sprinkles in holiday shapes.
• Gingerbread people cookies – Add these as a cute decoration to the front yard or porch.
• Coconut chips– great as roof shingles or shredded coconut makes the perfect coconut snow
• Crushed graham crackers– Just adds some simple texture and yummy flavor.
• Ice cream cones– Cover these with green icing to make Christmas trees in the front yard
• Gummy bears-These make the cutest garden gnomes! 

*Pretzel sticks and graham crackers are great for extra building materials

Can you freeze gingerbread dough?

Yes! You can freeze gingerbread dough ahead of time.

Freezing gingerbread dough is a great way to prep for the holiday season or a gingerbread decorating party.

That way when it is time to decorate your gingerbread cookies and/or house you have homemade dough to enjoy! 

Is it better to decorate a gingerbread house before assembling it?

It is way easier to decorate individual pieces of a gingerbread house than to decorate it fully assembled.

Essentially you start by decorating gingerbread cookies, let them dry, and then attach them together to make the gingerbread house. 

What can I use to stick my gingerbread house together?

Icing! Icing is the best thing to use to keep your gingerbread pieces stuck together and your house standing tall. 

If you want something more unique, try adding food coloring or edible sparkles to your icing. It will still keep your house intact but is a fun way to enhance your traditional Christmas dessert! 

How do you stand up a gingerbread house?

Start with a flat piece of gingerbread cookie as a base. Use four square cookies on the perimeter of the base. Use icing to secure them into place. Choose the style of gingerbread house roof you want and secure it with icing. 

Make sure your icing isn’t too warm or else it won’t stick as well and your house will fall apart. 

How do you attach decorations to a gingerbread house?

Use icing to attach candy and other decorations to your gingerbread house. Depending on how heavy or big the candy is you will need to use extra icing. 

You can also microwave sugar and water together to make an extra sticky “glue-like” material. Just be careful when you heat it because it will get surprisingly hot! This mixture is perfect in a pinch to stick a gingerbread house together without icing! 

Can you use chocolate to stick together a gingerbread house?

Melted chocolate makes a great option for sticking candy onto a gingerbread house.

Nothing will replace icing for building a gingerbread house but after construction, if you are running out of icing you can definitely use warm chocolate to stick on your gingerbread house decorations! 

Drizzled chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate chips are great for decor as well! 

Have any other DIY Gingerbread house ideas? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.

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Stay well, 

Maggie

This post was all about Gingerbread house decorating ideas.

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