Extreme Gingerbread Housing

“By creating traditions that bring

 the family closer to God, parents can strengthen the bond between family members, fortify commitment to religion, and teach important principles they want their children to understand and live by.” 

(The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

Making and decorating a premade gingerbread house is a common tradition many families partake in around Christmas time. My family takes this tradition to a whole new level.

EXTREME GINGERBREAD HOUSING

2011 Gingerbread Soccer Stadium

Ashley and Lauren

Background on the Competition:

Around the year 1996, my parents got together with some friends one December weekend day to create a homemade gingerbread house while the kids decorated and created gram cracker trains. This one time ambicous event carried over to the next year...and the next...and the next. 

Eventually, as I got a bit older, I decided I wanted to compete with the big dogs, the big cahunas, the maybe wiser and definitley older adults, my parents. As my siblings got a bit older, they too wanted in on this event. Over the last 15 years, this event, though messy and time consuming, has officially become a Herr family tradition.

2010 Gingerbread Disneyland

Ashley and Brandon

Guidelines:

*Every aspect of the house or structure must be edible

*The competition lasts from 6am- 11:50pm

*Winner gets their gingerbread house placed on the center of the family room table, as well as bragging rights for the next 12 months

* Must have a partner

* Must come with a good attitude
* Templates, ideas and layout must be completed prior to the competition
* Disqualified if you do not complete your gingerbread house within the alotted time

What I have LEARNED

2009 Gingerbread Beach House

Ashley and Brandon

After completing my fifth gingerbread house at my families annual Christmas Gingerbread House Competition, I began to think about the importance behind traditions. 

What makes a tradition a tradition?

 How many times do you need to experience some event before calling it a tradition?

Should there be guidelines?   

The ANSWER is SIMPLE:

"A tradition starts, or continues, with YOU... and ends when others no longer enjoy it!" (me)

Traditions are typically thought of as some event carried on from generation to generation. In many cases, these are the traditions we recreate each year. But, remember, a tradition must start somewhere. If your family lacks in traditions, MAKE ONE! 

They can be as simple as pizza fridays. (my favorite)

As cheap as waking up to a donut with a candle in it on your birthday.

As routine as giving a good night kiss to your loved ones. 
As intricate as making a homemade gingerbread house.

BUT...

“When you recall your favorite memories of childhood, they probably center around family rituals such as bedtime, and annual vacation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the weekly Sabbath meal. Your worst memories might also be connected with these family rituals” (Doherty 10).

Should traditions have guidelines?

YES!!!! This may sound strange, but I have found that they are necessary. For instance, feeding the poor on Thanksgiving may be a lovely tradition for some families, but what happens when this tradition extends beyond a few hours. The kids start complaining, "MY FEET HURT, im tired, IM HUNGRY." Mom and Dad start getting mad, the kids start crying. What started as a great idea, has now become a negative experience.


Traditions are suppose to be fun. Simplify the tradition if it is becoming a negative experience. Remember: every family is unique. 

A tradition that may work in one family may not work in ALL families. 


Family traditions build rich memories throughout all stages of our lives. They do not need to be EXTREME by any means, but can be if everyone enjoys the challenge. They do, however, NEED to bring comfort, a bit of creativity, and love.