I decorated my first gingerbread house after taking a class at a local community arts program. I brought my mom and sister along in hopes that we could begin a family tradition of decorating gingerbread houses with our growing family on Thanksgiving.
What started out as a simple attempt to do a little something fun for the kids after Thanksgiving dinner has grown into a full-fledged family affair that draws not only kids, but Moms, Dads, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and adult Nieces and Nephews (accompanied by their dates!) back to the table for a fierce Annual Gingerbread Decorating Competition!
Over the years, I would sit back and marvel at the flying frosting, the candy-grabbing, the constant chatter at the table, the smiles on everyone's faces, the kids working together with grandparents or aunt-and-uncle and niece-and-nephew decorating teams' that emerged. Everyone was talking, planning, helping each other, laughing. I knew that somehow, I had to share this wonderful family tradition with others.
After years of teaching gingerbread classes, doing demonstrations, selling pre-baked kits, and visiting local homeless shelters for annual gingerbread decorating parties, the idea for Gingersnaps pattern kits was born out of my desire to teach and share this wonderful holiday activity with as many families as possible.
Owner Lori Nerbonne at an annual homeless shelter gingerbread workshop.
Our mission at Gingerbread Village is the same today as it was when my passion for gingerbreading was born...to be THE place to come for the information and tools you need to have fun and success with Gingerbread Baking and Building.
To that end, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for helping others to enjoy this wonderful culinary tradition!!
