Even if you are not a Christian who celebrates the holiday season, you can still enjoy some of the festive traditions. Having grown up in Germany, the smell of any kind of gingerbread, be it the classic American or the German kind, reminds me of the short days of winter, making cookies with friends and family and just feeling cozy. With the pandemic forcing us to stay home even more than usual, why not make some gingerbread – for you and the kids?

Gingerbread cookies

If you want to get creative with a little DIY, gingerbread cookies are the way to go. The most classic version is definitely the gingerbread man or the slew of other motifs surrounding the holidays. But perhaps the more extravagant option, and a favorite for most, is gingerbread houses. I recently bought myself some cookie cutters for this purpose, which makes the whole process not only easier but also much more authentic and fun. You can even make one ample-sized house for you and your family, or a few tiny houses for your very own winter village. If you feel very adventurous, and a tad insane, you could even build a giant dragon on a gingerbread tower, like I did last year for a competition and our office.

Ingredients