Kids & Family

Gingerbread House Gallery: Check Out Maryland's Contest Entries

We asked Patch readers to share their holiday creativity: Here are the Maryland entries in Patch's gingerbread house decorating contest.

Patch readers shared their gingerbread house creations to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Patch readers shared their gingerbread house creations to get everyone in the holiday spirit. (Photo Courtesy of Jane Martin)

MARYLAND — A time-honored tradition that dates back to 16th century Germany, making gingerbread houses can be both fun and competitive. They quickly became a Christmas tradition, according to PBS, and grew in popularity around the world when the Brothers Grimm penned the story of Hansel and Gretel in which the brother and sister discover a house made of gingerbread and sugary sweets deep in the woods.

Patch asked its readers to share their Christmas spirit and submit entries in Patch's gingerbread house contest, showing their talent and creativity. Check out the photos of these gingerbread houses and tell us which one's your favorite in the comments section below.

Travis Szerensits said about his gingerbread house, "I’m following Gov. Hogans Rules!"

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Kris Hamilton of Bel Air said, "I sketched out the pieces needed and guessed on the size, then put it together and decorated it using royal icing."


Jane Martin of Havre de Grace said, "(Made) from scratch...made my own pattern:) This is Mrs. Santa’s Greenhouse. She’s in the greenhouse tending to the winter evergreens and poinsettias while Santa is busy loading his sleigh. Greenhouse windows are gelatin sheets."

Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Paul Martin of Havre de Grace said, "Rolled homemade dough and used a gingerbread house cookie cutter. 'Cabin In The Snowy Forest.'"


Holly Hagen's whole family in Elkridge participated and said, "I bought a reusable gingerbread house structure so each year we pull them out and have an adult and child pair up to create their magical gingerbread creation. The cool thing about these gingerbread houses is you can hose them off after the holidays and put them in the dishwasher to clean before packing them away for next year’s fun. Decorating gingerbread houses is one of our favorite traditions during the holidays. Fun for all ages!"


Wanda Smith said, "This is my granddaughter's creation."


Lyvonnia Fontaine used a premade house but noted, "I chose the decorations."


Wendy Kaufman of Bethesda said, "My daughters and I made this replica of Bethesda's former post office out of homemade gingerbread and store-bought rice cereal treats."


Summer Welford of Aberdeen said," My personal touch to a premade kit."


Julian Figueroa of Edgewater said, "A treehouse with lots of icicles because I am wishing for snow."


Deborah Johnson of Abingdon used pretzel logs for hers and said, "One house has pretzel logs cut like lincoln logs and the other used alternate sizes of pretzel logs that fit together on the ends.


Lyla Figueroa of Edgewater said, "Santa’s camper with lots of snow so maybe it will snow."


Niki Wagner of Bel Air said, "We used a kit!"


Beth Siegel of Bel Air shared her family's adorable version of a house and said, "Hand-cut Graham crackers and Royal frosting. Not a traditional house, but a house nonetheless."


Brooke Kirsch of Bel Air said, "Made of our favorite color."


Carmichael Mohan of Bel Air, 5, said he "wanted something that Santa would be proud of."

Want to build your own gingerbread house just for fun? Here are some ideas to kick it off:

  • Build it from scratch or use a pre-made kit
  • Make it colorful or keep it classic
  • Recreate a notable landmark or build your dream house
  • Give your house a theme

Need some supplies? Check out what we recommend to get started!


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