All you need for your creation is gingerbread and a template for the building pieces, icing for the "mortar" that holds the pieces together and plenty of candy for the décor. Once you have those, you can let your imagination run wild. The only "must-dos" are not burn the gingerbread and allow time for the icing to get tacky so all the parts stick together.

If the holidays have passed, and you’ve resisted the urge to eat your cookie dwelling, you can preserve it. Spray the gingerbread house with shellac or lacquer, let it dry and keep it for many holidays to come.