The GBHM party happened this afternoon and we had a blast. We spent most of yesterday preparing for it and I now know why most people do what they can ahead of time (and freeze things like cookie dough) instead of doing it all a couple of nights beforehand: it’s easier on the body! After standing for what seemed like two 10 hour shifts, I was hobbling like an old lady last night. It also got to the point where my sister and I were giggling over the most ridiculous things as we worked to finish cleaning the very messy kitchen at 2am.

But enough about that, let’s let the pictures do the talking.

Each guest received a set of gingerbread house pieces, with their name (in icing) on their foil covered base:

Here are all the sets lined up and ready to go:

Our guests brought far more candy than expected, and I never did get a full picture of all the candy goodness that we had there, between all the Smarties, M & Ms, gummi Christmas shapes, gum drops, spearmint leaves, candy corn in Christmas shapes, chocolate rosebuds, chocolate covered cherries, licorice (string and all sorts), candy canes, sprinkles and jelly beans.

And here are the creative ladies working intently on their houses:

Some times elapses. “Icing bags” made from sandwich bags fail us a few times. Brilliant ideas are copied from others. Much candy is eaten. More icing is made. There were a lot of neat innovations by house makers:

• Jov had a balcony and a sleigh and reindeer for Santa waiting just outside the door
• Nora had a cute little bridge in front of her house
• Run had a charming cobbled walkway (or was it interlocking stone?)
• My sister had cute fences (and she’s also proud of her welcome mat)
• Ves had a wee forest to protect her house (I think she just wanted to keep the poor helpless trees away from my waiting mouth)
• Ry had an impressively perfect looking plot of land on hers, with well groomed bushes and trees
• A few people had chimneys, and none of them were alike
• And everyone’s roofs were impressive and very detailed

Above: mine, Vesna’s and Nora’s. Once I realized I had no chance of winning against the marvelous creations, I called mine a summer cottage that was going for the minimalist look (don’t mind the snow).

Above: my sister’s, Ry’s and Run’s

Above: Jovana’s, Reena’s and my sisters (again)

After we finished, it was time for judging. Here is almost everyone looking happy that the sticky finger business is over, and looking confident that their house would be the winner:

My brother acted as judge and he took it seriously. Here he is, explaining the criteria for the judging (symmetry seemed to play a large role. Also: note how he matched the tablecloth):

All in all it was a great time. Nobody said it was lame, and someone even asked if it would be an annual thing. We last had one of these parties 12 years ago so we’re thinking if not annually, at least more frequently. Perhaps by the next one some people will be coming with their children!

For more pictures, including pictures of each home designer and their house, please check them out on facebook.

Filed under: Celebrations, Friends by jummy