Gingerbread houses that will take your breath away

Gingerbread houses are among the most endearing holiday traditions. Originating in Germany in the 16th century, they became popular due to the Brothers Grimm story of Hansel and Gretel. Assembling a gingerbread house is a fun activity for adults and children alike, but for some people it is serious business. That would include the entrants in the National Gingerbread House Competition held in Asheville, North Carolina each year. The entries in this competition are intricately detailed and absolutely stunning. 

The contest isn’t limited to houses: pirate ships, dragons, bonsai trees, and vehicles are among the objects created by the competitors. The rules are fairly simple – each entry must be entirely edible and consist of 75% gingerbread – but the entries themselves are extremely elaborate. A gingerbread clock has working gears, for example, and another diorama contains tiny Moscow mule mugs placed on a table around which reindeer are playing poker.

This year’s winner depicted Santa’s workshop, which contained the afore-mentioned clock with working gingerbread gears. There were over 195 entries from the US and Canada this year in the competition, which dates back to 1992. At first it was just a display of gingerbread houses created by local bakers, but after prizes started being awarded it attracted entrants from across the US and Canada. If you are in the area, the houses are on display through the January 4, 2019. 

Photo courtesy of Omni Hotel in Asheville