How to Host the Perfect Gingerbread House Party

Aria's Blog
Nov 9
3 min read

🎄 Welcome to Aria’s Cakes Sunday “How To” Christmas Series. Every Sunday until Christmas, I’ll be sharing a little slice of festive magic, from gingerbread houses and cosy baking tips to gift ideas and nostalgic traditions.

Each post is designed to help you create moments that feel as special as they smell sweet. Whether it’s a family gathering, a party with friends, or simply a quiet afternoon filled with sugar, spice, and wonder.

Start your journey with this week’s post:

How to Host the Perfect Gingerbread House Party, and follow along each Sunday as we build, bake, and celebrate the magic of Christmas together.

Let's start...

There’s something irresistibly joyful about a gingerbread house party, the scent of spices filling the air, laughter echoing around the table, and that shared childlike wonder as icing turns into snow and sweets become roof tiles.

Whether it’s a cosy afternoon with friends, a family tradition, or a team-building event, a gingerbread house party captures the spirit of Christmas like nothing else.

Here’s how to host one that everyone will remember, equal parts creativity, warmth, and festive magic.

✨ 1. Set the Party Scene

Transform your space into a little gingerbread workshop.

Cover the table with baking paper or festive kraft paper, light a few candles, and play those timeless Christmas tunes (I always start with Bing Crosby!).

Add a few fairy lights, a pot of mulled wine or hot chocolate, and you’ve already created the perfect mood.

If you’d like to make it even more special, place a little name tag or a mini gingerbread man at each guest’s spot, it sets a tone of care and hospitality right from the start.

🍪 2. Gather the Essentials

You can bake everything from scratch, but if you want to keep the focus on decorating and fun, gingerbread kits are a wonderful shortcut. My Aria’s Cakes Gingerbread House DIY Kit includes pre-baked pieces, royal icing mix, and step-by-step instructions. So all your guests have to do is bring their imagination.

You’ll also need:

A few small bowls for sweets and decorations

Piping bags (or zip bags with the corners snipped)

Cardboard cake bases or small boards for each house

Damp cloths for wiping sticky fingers

A few spatulas or butter knives for spreading icing

🍭 3. Choose a Decorating Theme (or Don’t!)

Themes can make it extra fun, “Snowy Alpine Village,” “Candy Wonderland,” or “Scandi Simplicity.”

But often, the best houses are the spontaneous ones, each telling its own story. Encourage everyone to express themselves freely; that’s where the real joy comes from.

If children are involved, consider setting up a “decoration bar” , little bowls filled with sweets, sugar pearls, and sprinkles. Adults secretly love it just as much.

🧁 4. Make It a Feast for All the Senses

Have a little something baking in the oven; spiced biscuits, shortbread, or a cinnamon cake. The smell will wrap your guests in comfort. A pot of spiced apple cider or hot chocolate keeps everyone warm between icing refills. And don’t forget a playlist of soft Christmas jazz or classic carols, it completes the moment.

🎁 5. Add a Keepsake Touch

Encourage your guests to take a photo of their finished creation — maybe even host a friendly “Best Roof” or “Most Whimsical” competition. Wrap each house in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon for a sweet take-home gift.

You could also print out a “Thank you for joining my Gingerbread House Party” tag with your favourite Christmas quote, something as simple as: “May your walls be sturdy, your icing sweet, and your Christmas full of joy.”

💫 6. End with a Little Magic

Before everyone leaves, turn down the lights, let the fairy lights twinkle, and admire the little gingerbread village you’ve created together. It’s a moment that always feels a bit like childhood, that hush of wonder when the world feels still, warm, and full of hope.

✨ Bring the Magic Home

If you’d like to host your own gingerbread party this season, you can order your Aria’s Cakes Gingerbread House DIY Kits.

They’re perfect for both families and groups, pre-baked, ready to decorate, and guaranteed to fill your home with that unmistakable scent of Christmas.