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 more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so you can make something really kick-butt for the holidays!
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.
‘A Christmas Carol’ Experience When: Dec. 17 and 18 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Where: Bayside Community Church, 3380 Florida State Road 580, Safety Harbor Admission: Free Website: BaysideChurch.net Witness the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, who is given a valuable lesson when he’s visited by three ghosts around Christmas. This memorable Charles Dickens production is presented by Bayside Community Church members. Bring the kids along to enjoy hot cocoa and storytime with Mrs. Claus, too! There will also be arts and crafts and a pre-play concert with a violinist. Learn more and get your tickets online! Ice Skating by the Ocean When: Dec. 28–Jan. 3 from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to midnight Where: Postcard Inn on the Beach Admission: $15 for one hour (includes skate rental) Website: PostcardInn.com Enjoy a winter wonderland without leaving Florida! Postcard Inn on the Beach will host open skating from Dec. 28 through Jan. 3. For the price of admission, guests will receive a skate rental and one hour of skating time across the hotel’s 2,000-square-foot rink. Where else can you enjoy the wonders of winter and the warm weather we all love? Tickets are non-refundable and do not include parking. Learn more and buy your tickets online. M&Ms are certainly a must-have for anyone decorating their gingerbread 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
EVENTS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS MERRY AND BRIGHT Check Out These 3 Activities
Happy holidays from the entire Denmon Pearlman team! In honor of this festive season, we’re giving you the inside scoop on what’s happening across Pinellas County. Check out these events to put you in the holiday spirit. Smacks Bayou Christmas Boat Parade When: Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Where: Smacks Bayou Admission: Free Website: Check out the event on Facebook!
What could be better than thousands of twinkling Christmas lights? How about thousands of gorgeous
Christmas lights floating around Smacks Bayou! Last year, the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital treated us to a fantastic light- show parade, delighting
patrons during a year when we all needed a little cheer. This year, the show is back, inviting those with a boat and dock access to adorn their water crafts with lights — and those who would like to watch are invited to line up along the shore. Celebrate Christmas the Florida way with the Smacks Bayou Christmas Boat Parade!
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