DIY Gingerbread House Michaels: Festive Guide for Beginners: 1 Minute to Unwrap Your Easiest Gingerbread Project Yet

Building a DIY gingerbread house can be the highlight of your holiday season, especially if you’re shopping at Michaels—a one-stop shop for all your creative needs. Whether you’re a novice baker or just love unique festive crafts, Michaels offers a wide range of gingerbread house kits, royal icing, specialty candies, and unique decorations. This step-by-step festive guide will help beginners craft a stunning gingerbread house while sharing insider tips from a designer’s perspective.

Step 1: Choose Your Kit Wisely

Start by browsing the gingerbread house kits at Michaels. As a beginner, opt for pre-baked panels and pre-mixed icing for ease of assembly. Michaels stocks kits ranging from classic cottages to whimsical mansions, so select one that fits your skill level and aesthetic goals.

Step 2: Gather Extra Decorations

Kits usually include basic candy—but to elevate your design, pick up additional edible accents like sprinkles, colorful chocolate pieces, and fondant from Michaels’ baking aisle. For unique finishing touches, explore their seasonal craft embellishments (just ensure they’re food-safe if you want to eat your creation).

Step 3: Prep Your Workspace

Designers know that a tidy, organized workspace can change your project outcome. Lay down parchment paper, keep damp towels handy for sticky fingers, and have extra tools like small piping bags or offset spatulas ready to create precise lines and details.

Step 4: Assemble With Care

Follow the instructions carefully, using royal icing generously as your “glue.” Support walls while they set and decorate in stages—starting with upright structures. My tip: use cans or glasses to prop up panels during assembly, which gives you cleaner lines and fewer collapses.

Step 5: Decorate Like a Designer

Think about balance, symmetry, and “negative space”—not every inch needs to be covered in candy! Use repeating patterns and coordinated color schemes for a polished look. Add personal touches: use cereals for roof shingles, licorice for window frames, or create a snowy lawn with coconut flakes.

As a designer, I always recommend planning your layout before adding decorations. Sketch (or imagine) your desired final look to avoid overcrowding and achieve harmonious, eye-catching results. If you’re seeking digital inspiration or wish to virtually model your gingerbread house design, consider using a room planner tool for mock-ups—this bridges creativity and structure beautifully, making festive projects even more enjoyable.

Tips 1:

Snap progress photos as you build! Not only does this document your process for future reference, but it can help identify areas for improvement and provide shareable memories on social media. Plus, reviewing photos can reveal details you might want to replicate (or change) in your next project.

FAQ

Q: Are Michaels gingerbread house kits edible?

A: Yes, most kits at Michaels are designed to be completely edible, but confirm packaging for specifics. If you add non-edible embellishments, make sure they’re clearly marked.

Q: Can I buy extra icing and decorations at Michaels?

A: Absolutely! Michaels offers a variety of royal icing tubes, food coloring, sprinkles, and candy decorations to personalize your gingerbread house.

Q: How can I keep my gingerbread house stable?

A: Use thick royal icing as glue and allow ample drying time between each construction step. Propping walls with support items and building on a sturdy base will also help prevent collapse.Q: Are there gingerbread house decorating classes at Michaels?

A: Many Michaels locations offer seasonal workshops or online tutorials, teaching beginners new techniques for assembling and decorating gingerbread houses.Q: What’s the best way to display or store a gingerbread house?

A: Place your finished house on a cake board or platter. To keep it fresh, cover the house loosely with plastic wrap, away from heat and humidity. If using purely as decoration, it can last several weeks.