Our cookie decorating party is a tradition we looked forward to all holiday season, and now that we’ve checked that off our list, it’s time to decorate the whole house! The whole cookie house, that is. We’re so inspired by the gingerbread house decorating party dreamed up by Sarah Sofia Productions, that we had to share it with you, as well as some tips on hosting a similar event for the kiddos. Expecting a packed house of cousins and family friends all week long? Get together with the other adults and follow these tips for a gingerbread house decorating party filled with sweet treats and big smiles.
Designate a theme
Sarah Sofia Knepp, founder of Sarah Sofia Productions, always starts the planning process at the invitation and coordinating it with a theme. The Oh SNAP! Invitations with a gingerbread man are perfect for any holiday decorating party. If you’re throwing an impromptu party, consider getting out the markers and construction paper or choosing an e-card with your theme in mind.
prepare a kid-friendly starting point
Sarah set this adorable party at a bakery in Charlotte, NC, Edible Art Cake Shop, which hosts gingerbread parties and other seasonal classes. The bakery specifically tailored this party to the size and age of its participants, having the house walls and roofs prepared in advance, so that the young attendees wouldn’t have to wrangle with building the house themselves. Remember the frustration of not getting the walls of your gingerbread house to stand up when you were a kid? We’re making that a distant memory here!
If there isn’t a bakery or event space like Edible Art Cake Shop near you, this is when some planning with the other adults in your family and friend group is necessary. Construct the houses in advance and let the icing mortar dry thoroughly so that it’s ready to go for the kids. Set piping bags filled with icing next to each house — one for each child — and leave bowls of decorations sprinkled throughout the table.
let Their creativity shine
Don’t worry about trying to help those little hands make their houses too perfect. Embrace the design and holiday decorations from their perspective! It’ll make for much better pictures than something that looks like an adult took over.
celebrate their accomplishment
As the girls decorated their houses, they listened to the Frozen soundtrack and danced around in their tutus and Santa aprons. Once the activity was finished, they all celebrated by sitting down to a Christmas-themed table filled with edible treats and glitter crowns to wear.
Make Take Home Easy
Ensure everyone is able to take their gingerbread houses back home in one piece, by stocking up on boxes sized just right.
Don’t forget to take plenty of photos of the children and the adults that made this memorable party happen! Share your pictures from your own holiday parties with us on Instagram by tagging the images #lovemypbk.
Seen in this post:
Planning, coordination, design, and DIY Joy Garland — Sarah Sofia Productions
Venue, gingerbread houses, sweets, and cake favor — Edible Art Cake Shop
Photography — Katlyn Marie Photography
Table top decor, Christmas decorations, and aprons — Pottery Barn Kids
Invitations and gift tags — Tiny Prints
Custom red tartan plaid signs and straw flags — Little Web Writing Hood
Blue polka dot gable boxes and glitter crowns — Shop Sweet LuLu
