Every year in Kindergarten we make Gingerbread houses. This is the first year ever, where I have stopped to think about WHY we make Gingerbread houses? Seriously, what is the purpose of a Gingerbread house, and why does it tie in with the holiday season? Is it the Gingerbread Man’s fault? Is it Hanzel and Gretel’s? How does it tie in with Santa, and if you’re one of those religious types, how does it fit in with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem?
Upon a serious search of Wikipedia-Gingerbread, I’m really no better off. My understanding is mostly that it is a European tradition, based loosely on the Hanzel and Gretel fairy tale (I knew the fantasy of having a house made out of candy would have to have some blame), and that in some places, whole cities get together to build life like structures out of gingerbread! How cool would that be?
So I went searching for pictures to inspire the kids with, and here is a European inspired chalet with real looking snow on the roof! There are many more cool examples over at: socialcafemag.com
