Gingerbread House Day, celebrated each year on December 12, honors a beloved Christmas tradition that began centuries ago with the arrival of gingerbread in Europe, brought by Gregory of Nicopolis in 992 AD. Over time, gingerbread became an art form—shaped into saints, royal portraits, and festive figures, eventually leading German bakers in the early 1800s to create the first decorated gingerbread houses inspired by the tale of Hansel and Gretel. Gingerbread later became a symbol of Christmas celebration worldwide, with intricate cottages, candies, and frosting turning simple dough into seasonal joy—highlighted even by record-breaking creations like the 67-foot-tall gingerbread house built in 2001. As we build our own gingerbread houses today, we’re reminded to spiritually build our homes as well, making them “a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, [and] a house of God” (D&C 88:119).

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/gingerbread-house-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.