Christmas is among the most hyped-up holidays in the United States. A Christian holiday celebrating the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, its tradition of exchanging presents has given rise to it also becoming one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year, with trillions of dollars spent on Christmas presents annually. Of course, Christmas meals and themed food are also important parts of this season: for instance, stores are already stocked with boxes of ready-to-build gingerbread houses, with millions sold every year.
But how did this specific treat come to be, and how did it come to be associated with Christmas?
It is sometimes said that the tradition of gingerbread houses only started after 1812, when Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their version of “Hansel and Gretel” in their famous collection of fairy tales, in which two siblings lost in the woods find a witch’s house made of gingerbread and candy. However, making decorated art out of gingerbread, houses included, is a practice that dates back to the 1600s. The Brothers Grimm merely popularized an already established concept.
Even before this, gingerbread was often associated with festivities, holidays especially. In much of Europe, only professionals belonging to bakers’ guilds were permitted to bake gingerbread and craft art from it, with the only exceptions for common people being on Christmas and Easter. After the trend spread to England, it became common for Christmas carolers to be gifted pieces of gingerbread, and even the royal family would exchange gingerbread as a Christmas treat.
Though building gingerbread houses is more considered family fun these days, it is still taken seriously as an art form and even as the subject of baking competitions. The world record for the largest gingerbread house ever built was constructed in 2013 and measured 18.28 m (60 ft) long, 12.8 m (42 ft) wide and 3.07 m (10.1 ft) tall at its highest point.
Since Christmas is a federal holiday, expect schools, businesses, banks, and government buildings to be closed or operating on limited hours. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us anytime at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy, and Merry Christmas!
