Creating a Holiday Masterpiece
HOW TO DECORATE YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE LIKE A PRO
One of the most popular holiday traditions has become making and decorating gingerbread houses. The tradition began in Germany in the early 1800s and originated from Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel." Some shy away from the idea of making their own gingerbread house, but have no fear — if the Germans did it in the early 1800s, so can you! To simplify things, many gingerbread houses come with baked pieces and a full decorating kit. This helps you have
you can make something really kick-butt for the holidays!
house. Not only are they delicious, but they also make cute, little accents all over the house and yard. Mini cookies of your choice may also make a deliciously good-looking roof. Try layering them up for a dimensional look! And, for extra pizazz, strategically place mini candy canes throughout the yard and on either side of the front doors and windows. If you want to get really detailed, try using actual candy bars as fire logs in the fireplace. Just be sure to store your gingerbread house in a cool area so nothing will melt! Whether you prefer a simple gingerbread house or a flashy one, any and ALL candy can be used! Get decorating and be sure to have a bite of candy along the way!
Icing will be your best friend. Think of it as the yummy glue that holds everything together while also acting as a colorful trim for your gingerbread house. However, because it’ll keep the house from falling, be sure to use a lot! Spice drops also make for a great trim and “roofing,” just use icing to hold them in place. Alternate between colors or use a variety to make your house really pop.
more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so
M&Ms are certainly a must- have for anyone decorating their gingerbread
Step Inside Kevin’s Time Machine TO VISIT CHRISTMAS 1985!
When I find myself struggling to hear the bell that I talked about on Page 1, something that always helps is “time traveling” back to my childhood. If I had a real time machine, I’d definitely use it to warp back to Christmas 1985!
There’s nothing particularly special about that year, but the older I get, the more I can see that every stage of childhood is beautiful in its own way. I know the magic of Christmas was still strong for me in ‘85, and it would be fun to experience that joy all over again! One family tradition I’d love to revisit would be our quest to see all the luminary candles in the neighborhood. When I was a kid, we used to pile into the car and drive down every street to “ooh” and “ahh” over the candles lining each person’s driveway. If you’ve never experienced a neighborhood lit with luminaries, you’ve missed something special! They’re made by filling white paper bags with luminous sand and standing a lit candle up in the middle. When an entire neighborhood lines the sides of its driveways with lights, it’s a pretty sight to behold.
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen a group of neighbors do it in 30 years.
In addition to time traveling back to my own childhood, I’d also love to visit the Christmas celebrations of my parents and grandparents. It would be incredible to watch the origins of our family traditions. My grandparents were part of the Greatest Generation (born from 1901– 1927), so they had very humble holiday celebrations, and I think there would be a lot of beauty in that simplicity. It might also help me appreciate what I have in the present! Ultimately, this mental time travel reminds me that the accumulation of gifts isn’t what matters most during the holidays. Shared moments and traditions are what make Christmas special. I’d rather go back to those than revisit my childhood gifts, even the little kid-sized 4-by-4 car that I loved so much at age 3.
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cell phone is 404.409.3160.)
2 • KEVINPATRICK.LAW I 404.566.5880
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