Christmas Archives | wit wisdom and food

how to throw a gingerbread house decorating party

December 1, 2014 by anne 19 Comments

Gingerbread house decorating is a fun holiday tradition for all ages. For as long as I can remember we have been decorating gingerbread houses. We started when I was little and gave them as gifts to our teachers and neighbors. My mom was a superstar and would make large and small versions. She was the first to throw a gingerbread house decorating party and years later I carried on the idea and it was always a huge hit.

The recipe we use originally ran in a newspaper in 1979 and was intended as a microwave recipe. Not being a huge microwave fan my mom adapted the recipe and baked them in the oven.

The dough is super simple to make and takes very little time to bake. The assembly is where the time and patience come in. Making a good thick icing is the key to this being a less stressful process. Make sure your egg whites are beaten until stiff or you will have a runny icing that is better for cookie decorating than the mortar that will hold up your walls. The sides of you pieces should come out fairly straight but they do not need to be perfect. A slightly off piece will still work so don’t stress out or waste a less than perfect piece.

Once you have your pieces baked and they have cooled you can start assembly. A small piece of styrofoam is the sturdiest base, but you can use corrugated cardboard covered in aluminum foil if you want to save some money. The styrofoam runs about $5 a piece. If you purchase a large piece and cut it to the size you want you can save some money as well. My mom’s tip: if the sides of styrofoam are rough from the cut rub them together and it will work like sandpaper to smooth them out.

Dip the bottom of the end pieces in icing and spread a small amount on the back of the piece where the sides will touch. Dip the sides and bottom of the side pieces in the icing and attach. Use toothpicks to prop up the pieces as the icing dries. I would allow 20 minutes but check on it sooner and see if it has set.

After you have the walls set it is time to raise the roof. This is a little more challenging because you are up against gravity, hence my large use of toothpicks. Paint the back of the roof where it will touch the sides of the end pieces. The thicker you made that icing the better off you will be. I was so rusty when I made this batch that it took a long time to set and was really trying on my patience. The toothpicks weren’t enough support so I had to sit and hold the roof in place until it set enough.

Now that your roof is set up and the icing is dry it is time to get to decorating. There are no rules just go with it. Unleash your inner child and get to work making your masterpiece. This really isn’t a beauty contest, as you will see in my last picture, it is meant as a fun holiday activity so don’t worry about splatters and drips of icing. Just let it go or cover it with a piece of candy.

Once you have finished decorating it is time to play mother nature and bring in a little snow storm. Grab a knife or whisk and dip it in your icing and drizzle it over the house. If your icing doesn’t drizzle well add a little bit of water to the icing to thin it out just enough to drizzle easier.

Remember I was talking about how important it is to make sure your icing is thick so it will hold things up? That star anise “wreath” above my door is the perfect example. I tried holding it, blowing on it and every combination in between to get it to stick. My patience was no match for gravity and the result is a house that is likely the worst house on the block. I dreaded sharing this but here it is flaws and all. Otherwise, I thought my family of snowmen looked very happy at their little home.

How to throw your own Gingerbread decorating party

Weeks before the party

Make your guest list. The easiest way to have multiple people decorate houses is to make and assemble the houses before your guests arrive. So be realistic with your guest list and think about asking couples to collaborate.
Send out your invitations and ask each person to bring at least one bag of candy to share
Bake the gingerbread you need to make the houses. You should get at least 6 houses out of a batch
See if any of your guests have a mixer they can bring to help with mid-party icing prep

Day (or a few days) Before

Get some decorating essentials like M&M’s, hard candies, kisses and gumdrops in case your guests forget to bring a bag
Grab some plastic knives for icing spreading
Buy cartons of egg whites. This will speed up icing making by eliminating the step of separating egg whites.
Buy more powder sugar than you think you will need. It stinks to run out of icing in the middle of decorating.
Make chili, stew or any large quantity, easy to reheat dish

Day of Set up

Cover your table with newspaper to make clean up easier and set a house at every seat
Place small paper bowls on the table to fill with candy
Set whatever decorating supplies you bought in the middle of the table
Reheat the dinner before your guests arrive

During the party

Make the icing. Because it dries out so quickly you will need to make it at the last minute. One batch of icing should cover 2-3 houses
Put a small bowl of icing and a plastic knife next to each house
Depending on how many mixers you are using you might need to replenish the icing throughout the night

Click on the image below to download the template and recipe

I am linking this up to Dare to DIY, the link party that got me back into blogging two years ago. These are some of my favorite DIY bloggers. I hope you click over and enjoy some of the other projects.

trees over the years

December 30, 2013 by anne 4 Comments

I meant to post this before Christmas but then it got crazy and I hardly sat down in front to the computer all December. Now I am posting it so I can always remember this years tree. It was quite possibly the best tree. We had a wonderful Christmas and will be sad to take the tree down in a couple days.

When I was growing up my mom would make a calendar for the month of December with all the important family activities. Trips to santa, gingerbread house decorating and Christmas tree shopping. I still do this. I know which week will be my baking week and when we will get the tree and when I will decorate outside. I am horrible at sticking to deadlines I set for myself but the December ones seem to be an exception.

I can’t say picking out a tree has always been my favorite part but over the years I have come to enjoy it.

I was a grumpy kid and this family outing wasn’t always my favorite. I don’t think my parents did themselves any favors on that front by stopping at most of the tree lots in town.

We would all pile into the family station wagon that in true 80’s fashion was brown with wood down the sides. If we were really good my dad would let us sit in the seat in the back. You know that one that faces other drivers and that no auto maker would even consider adding these days? Then the long journey around town began. One lot was never enough for my parents. Some years we even stopped by the same lot twice. Plus the trip to the nursery to get the the garland for the banister and the mantle. I remember being so annoyed by about the fourth lot.

Once they finally picked the tree it was on to the fun of getting it home. In all the years we had that station wagon he never put the tree on the roof. Now a station wagon is big but it doesn’t exactly fit 4 people and a 7 foot tree comfortably. Michael and I always got stuck riding next to the tree no seat belt just us and pokey branches for the 15 minute drive home. Things were different in the 80’s.

When we got it home my dad did all the work and we stayed mostly out of the way until the lights were hung. Then every one got in on the decorating.

Even though I was a grumpy kid the day we got the tree has a special place even though I pouted through most of the decorating. My husband and I love Christmas and now I love picking out the three and the smell of the house when it is home. Every year has been a different experience so far but we got close this year. I am very nostalgic and want to recreate the shiny memory of picking out a tree that is in my head, minus the 5 stops.

Our first tree was from Home Depot. A little 7 foot Noble Fir. It was wide but a good little tree. I loved driving down the street and seeing it lit up in the window.

Our second tree was from a tree lot that popped up at an abandoned lot. There were a few trees unwrapped but most were still lying in a pile on the ground. Last year was Tom’s year to pick the tree and he wanted a silver tip. They are sparse trees. This was one of the few lots in town that had any. It wasn’t our favorite but we grew to love it just the same.

This year we went to the pumpkin farm down the road that sells trees for one weekend. They had the trees lined up on a hill and a little gift shop with ornaments and I got a tiny cup of cider. Shiny memory complete. I did some research on the kind of tree I wanted this year and after it was done I had my heart set on a Fraser fir. It did not disappoint.

Hope you had a merry Christmas and the new year brings many joys.

the man of the house

December 19, 2012 by anne 3 Comments

Have you realized some Christmas tasks are just made for the man of the house? I wouldn’t even think about putting the lights on the Christmas tree that just seems like a one man job. We were out of town last week and saw some impressive houses decorated with lights and Tom started critiquing the job each house had done. He had strong opinions on droopy lights so in my mind this task quickly became his as well. This was our first year in a house and we kept it tasteful. While this doesn’t look like the Griswold’s house it is the most decorated house in our little neighborhood. Though if we owned the house I think we would take it up a notch but we will save that for another year. I am a fan of the old ceramic lights because that is what we had growing up. I handled the front porch because I knew what I wanted it to look like when I came home at night. I wrapped the doors with a couple spools of red ribbon and put pre-made bows. The tree with the santa topper is made from tinsel and a tomato cage and set into a plastic urn that will be great with spring flowers in it when it is time for the season change.

We decided to add some icicle lights too this year. Tom got creative with and put them on the peak of the roof so it would look like snow on the top of the roof. Plus he has apparently always wanted to have lights on the peak of the roof. I have seen the roof of the house he grew up in and in his dad’s defense I wouldn’t have gotten on top of that thing either. Heck I wouldn’t get on top of this roof and it isn’t steep at all. The picture doesn’t really do the look justice. It looks very cute and snow like. Forgive us we live in California so we try whatever we can to create that winter wonderland feel some of you just get naturally.

It has been a very busy holiday season. I will get the post about Christmas cookies up soon. I tried yesterday but just as I went to publish it there was a meltdown on my blogger page and it disappeared and I just haven’t had the serenity to redo the entire post. Doesn’t look like I will make my cookie goal this year. Somethings are just more important than cookies. I have a plan for a new cookie goal so stay tuned for that post.

If I am not back on the blog before Christmas have a happy holiday.

star light star bright

December 6, 2012 by anne 8 Comments

I got really excited that this would be our first Christmas with a fireplace. Not because of the warmth or ambience a fire gives off on those cold nights. I got excited because it meant I could decorate it. I haven’t had a proper place to hang a stocking in over 16 years creating years worth of excitement to be had this year. Now that it is all put together there is nothing better than sitting on the couch admiring my handy work. Check out that Christmas tree it is beauty too.

It isn’t as twinkly and pretty in the daytime but you can see the color and some of the other decorations that I just couldn’t capture in the night photos.

We got these angels in Maui on our honeymoon. They are made by a high school student and sold in a small shop so she can earn money to go to college.

Last year we hung our stocking on a bookcase using these cute stocking hangers from Target.

I got the snowmen at the dollar tree. I think it is the pink cheeks that I am a sucker for on Christmas decorations. The tiny tree cam from Trader Joe’s and I love the creepy eye in the middle of the star.

What is that you say you want your own large star for very little money and very little time? You are so in luck. Have I got a deal for you. A few yard sticks, some thumbtacks, spray paint and lights and you too can have a well lit mantle this holiday season or all year if you are really into the star thing.

I of course got my initial inspiration on Pinterest. The original post is at Little Bit Funky. I have had all the other decorations on the mantle for a while now and it was really lacking something. My husband suggested a wreath and that sounded perfect until I started looking at prices. Enter the large star. Turned out this is the exact reason that Little Bit Funky stumble upon this project too.

Made out of yardsticks it ran me $5 for enough yardsticks for all three stars, spray paint I had for another project and some new lights. At around $20 that is significantly cheaper than a wreath.

For that large star I used 5 yardsticks and for the smaller ones I cut 5 more yardsticks in half. It took me a minute to figure out how to lay them out so the corners would connect but once I overcame that challenge (which really was more challenging than it should have been) it was easy.

I used thumbtacks instead of the suggested glue gun. Cause I don’t even own A gun let alone many guns that would necessitate the need for a gun rack. What am I dating myself with a Wayne’s World quote? Seriously I just got back into making crafts and I don’t have a glue gun. I tried gorilla glue but the wood was too porous and just absorbed the glue so thumbtacks were my next logical choice. Once you paint and add lights you won’t know they are there.

Cut the other yard sticks in half and you can make stars that are literally half the size! Clever aren’t I? Add your favorite color of spray paint and you are ready for lights.

I went with a two tone experiment which I have mixed feelings about but it is hard to notice it on the mantle.

I think I am going to have to find a home for these after the holidays I like them so much.

What have you done to your mantle? Need ideas check out the link party at Ten June.

If you came over from Dare to DIY via any of theses great sites: NewlyWoodwards, Maybe Matilda, Decor and the Dog and Two Twenty One then thank you.
Also linking to: whipperberry, liz marie blog and house of hepworths

threading a needle and other tricks

November 13, 2012 by anne 4 Comments

In a holiday season that seems destined to be filled with self inflicted challenges I have added another.

Handmade ornaments. Not enough to fill an entire tree. I am a little off my rocker with projects lately but not that much. Not to mention, we already have enough to fill an entire tree. They were made by my mother-in-law. They are very dear to my husband because he watched her make them. Right after we started dating he had to leave for few months and I was put in charge of caring for the ornaments. I moved them around the apartment multiple times to make sure they were in a good place. I settled on a shelf by the fire escape so I could grab them on my way out. Yes, they are that important. So important that when he told his sister I was looking after them she knew this was a serious relationship and she contemplated calling me to make sure they were safe. I think she was probably really going to call to make sure I was good enough for her little brother. Either reason would have been understandable. The ornaments made it through the separation with no casualties. They all went on the tree last year. I have always loved them and thought it would be fun to try to make more some day. Apparently that day is today. I got the package for my first kit in the mail today and after a surprisingly quick trip to the craft store I was all set to get started.

Side note on the craft store. I have spent a lot of time on Pinterest planning the Christmas decorations and what I realized today is the ideas on Pinterest are so much better and cheaper than the junk they sell at the craft store. I think my disgust at the stuff they were selling and how easily I could make it myself was actually what got me out of there so quickly. That and the shopping carts required me to put a quarter in to make them work so that sped up my shopping trip and didn’t allow me to linger. Back to the ornaments.

Here is a picture of what some of our current ornaments look like. This is a very small sampling. I think that the box of ornaments contains somewhere between 2 and 3 dozen. Keep in mind all of this is done by hand with felt, sequins, beads and a needle and thread.

My first ornament is a snowman. Each number indicates a separate piece of felt that needs to be cut and then beaded, embroidered and appliquéd together to get to the finished project.

The finished product should look like the picture below. Pretty cute I know. When I am done I will have 6 new ornaments for the tree.

After my first 3 hours I have got some beading done and sewn on some cute buttons.

Turns out that while it is a lot of steps, I really like it. It reminds me of a puzzle. I am having a hard time putting it down. That is why today’s blog post is falling past midnight technically making it tomorrow’s blog post. I really would like to be beading the little scarf right now but the thought of having to thread a needle makes me cross-eyed thinking about it. Hopefully the pull of the ornaments don’t cut into the baking time. I am picturing some holiday movie marathons while stitching in front of the fire. There may not be Christmas music yet but I have found a way to get the holiday spirit into the house.

Lists, calendars and deadlines oh my!

November 10, 2012 by anne Leave a Comment

When embarking on a challenge like I have set for myself this holiday season the only way to get through is lists. Many beautiful lists. I love a good list. For me a good list is one that is divided and organized into achievable goals with lots of things to cross off. I love the satisfaction of crossing something off. I have lists all over the place. Some are on the phone some on post it notes but most are just on scrap paper. I have found that the satisfaction of deleting something off the smart phone isn’t the same as crossing it off a piece of paper.
My mom used to make a calendar for December so we all knew what was planned. We knew which weekend would be Christmas tree shopping and decorating, which one would have gingerbread house decorating and cookie baking and planned our sleepovers and work schedules accordingly.
This year I think I am going to need to make a calendar and many lists. The cookie project alone has already required three lists. Trying to add an impressive decorating plan, multiple homemade gifts and my regular work schedule and dinners I am going to need a daily schedule. Probably need to get some more slow cooker recipes to help with the multitasking. Anyone have slow cooker recipes that don’t call for cream of something soup?

Santa, I know him

November 9, 2012 by anne 2 Comments

I am away traveling so posts are short and sweet this week but I am trying to stay committed to my month of posting. So today is a little teaser of what is to come in the rest of the month and December.

This year I am going big on Christmas. We are in a house this year instead of a tiny apartment in the city. This means I can do more than just lights on the fire escape. I have been cruising Pinterest to find some good ideas and spark the creative juices. I have already made my list for baked goods and will be going for a new personal record on the amount of cookies I will bake.

At work I have some like minded-souls that are helping to decorate the story in true Buddy the Elf style.

Here is a quick list of what will be coming soon to a blog near you:
1. Posts on the four major food groups
2. All kinds of cookie recipes and tricks
3. A Pinterest party to make some of these Christmas ideas
4. Stories on my traditions and memories- the wit and wisdom portion of this program
5. Updates on the decorating of the craft room cause I am going to need it this Christmas.
6. More Elf references than you can imagine because while I love the classics Elf is my favorite Christmas movie. I would travel through the candy cane forest and the swirly-twirly gumdrops to watch it

Hope you are looking forward to this as much as I am. I will be getting started on Monday. Until then I hope you enjoy some of the tidbits I share this week.