5 Tips for Making a Gingerbread Village!

 GINGERBREAD VILLAGE FUN!

My friend left us with three gingerbread village kits to work on while they were out of town this past weekend.  I "glued" all the pieces together with the provided royal icing and the kids went to town decorating with the 20 different kinds of candy.  There was plenty of tasting along the way.  

Here is what I learned:

1) Cover, and secure a plastic tablecloth to the table - this gets messy! 

2) "Glue" the houses together prior to decorating so the frosting has time to set.  This takes long enough that patience will run out before the frosting sets. 

3) Small bowls for each kind of candy helps keep everything organized.

4) The promise of eating candy when we finished decorating made them move fast!

5) Cardboard cake "trays" worked wonderfully for using as a base for the village. (I am sure there is a name for these, but I am not sure what they are!)

(no, the kiddos were not using this knife....I was to cut the Totsie Rolls into slices for the roof shingles on Santas House.)

 Making progress!

" Santa's House"

 Youngest wanted to make an entrance to the village.

 These peppermint trees were on clearance last year at the Crate & Barrel outlet store for 80% off their $25.00 original price tag.  They are perfect for our village!

 Ta Da!! Finished Christmas Magical Gingerbread Village.