(WTAJ) — Gingerbread houses are a popular part of the holiday season — whether you like to create and eat them, or just keep them as decoration.
But do you know where the tradition started?
Historians agree that gingerbread houses originated in Germany. But to really get to the root of the matter, you’ll have to go back about 5,000 years to China ,when the ginger root was discovered. According to Food Network, the ginger root was first used for medicinal purposes, and it still is today.
Ginger eventually found its way to Europe (some believe it was used in Ancient Greece too), and into Germany, where the house-making started.
In the 16th century, Germans began making cookie-walled houses around the same time “Hansel and Gretel” was published, PBS said. The story, written by the Brothers Grimm, concerned two young children get lost in a forest before finding a witch with a house made of gingerbread.
It is still unclear whether the trend inspired the story or the story inspired the trend — but the idea took off in Germany, which is also where the Grimms were from.
It wasn’t long after that the gingerbread houses made their way to the Americas. After a slow-ish start, gingerbread house-making soon became tied to Christmas in North America — likely thanks to the original German decorative style that was already reminiscent of the holiday, according to Food Network.
FAQs
Bestgingerbreadhouses.com stated that the tradition of gingerbread houses began with the making of gingersnap cookies and was started in Germany. Gingerbread houses in Germany originated from bakers interpreting the description of a house from the story Hansel and Gretel.
Where did the tradition of gingerbread houses come from? ›
Historians agree that gingerbread houses originated in Germany.
What is the origin of Christmas gingerbread? ›
Gingerbread is claimed to have been brought to Europe in 992 AD by the Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis (also called Gregory Makar and Grégoire de Nicopolis). He left Nicopolis (in modern-day western Greece) to live in Bondaroy (north-central France), near the town of Pithiviers.
What story helped gingerbread houses become more popular? ›
Some even believe that the tradition of building gingerbread houses became popularized after the Grimm brothers published the folk story, Hansel and Gretel.
What is the history of the gingerbread house in the White House? ›
For the Nixons' first White House Christmas in 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert created a gingerbread house in a traditional German A-frame style. Standing next to the display is the president's daughter Tricia. By 1971, the A-frame gingerbread house had become a White House holiday tradition.
Who is credited for beginning the tradition of decorating fancy gingerbread cookies? ›
Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the idea of decorating the cookies in this fashion, after she had some made to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court. Over time some of these festivals came to be known as Gingerbread Fairs, and the gingerbread cookies served there were known as 'fairings.
Are gingerbread houses a Christmas thing? ›
Making gingerbread houses is a Christmas tradition in many families. They are typically made before Christmas using pieces of baked gingerbread dough assembled with melted sugar. The roof 'tiles' can consist of frosting or candy. The gingerbread house yard is usually decorated with icing to represent snow.
Why do we have gingerbread cookies at Christmas? ›
A comforting way to stay warm, their popularity in the colder months led to ginger cookies becoming common Christmas tree decorations. Their role continued to evolve, and the ginger cookies moved from the tree to the family cookie competitions we know today, though we now enjoy the cookies afterward with milk.
What are some interesting facts about gingerbread? ›
Originally gingerbread was made with honey and breadcrumbs
One of the earliest English recipes for gingerbread, written down in the fifteenth century, didn't actually contain any ginger! Instead bread crumbs or 'gratyd brede' were mixed with boiled honey and formed into a stiff paste with saffron and pepper.
What are the three types of gingerbread? ›
The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
- BROWN GINGERBREAD.
- WAFER GINGERBREAD.
- HONEY GINGERBREAD.
Esther, President Grover Cleveland's second daughter, was the first and only child of a president to be born in the White House.
Why was the White House white? ›
When construction was finished, the porous sandstone walls were whitewashed with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead, giving the house its familiar color and name.
What was White House originally called? ›
At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.
What is the tradition of smashing gingerbread houses? ›
Gingerbread demolishing has become a touching underground tradition for some families. On New Year's Eve, they gather together and destroy their creation as a team. Some have called it a way to symbolically clear the slate before the New Year. Others call it like it is: fun.
What are some random facts about gingerbread houses? ›
National Gingerbread House Day is December 12
- National Gingerbread House Day is December 12.
- That's right! ...
- Queen Elizabeth I is credited with making the first gingerbread men. ...
- Gingerbread's storied history dates back to ancient civilizations. ...
- The Brothers Grimm are said to have made gingerbread houses popular.
In Norway, the tradition with gingerbread house is widespread, especially among families with children. The tradition says that the house should be ready for the 'nisse' (mythological Scandinavian creature, a mix of a garden gnome and an elf) to move in by 'Little Christmas Eve' (23rd December).
