One of my favorite ways to bring in the holiday is to host a gingerbread house decorating party.  My friends and I always look forward to spending time together to create a holiday centerpiece that is a family favorite. 

The first thing that you need to do is to purchase or make your gingerbread house.  Many grocery and art stores carry pre-made gingerbread houses, such as Trader Joes and Michaels.  I personally like to get mine from a local baker because the gingerbread usually tastes and smells better. 

The next thing is to make the royal frosting, so you can "glue" the candy onto your gingerbread house. 

     3 tablespoons Meringue Powder

      4 cups (about 1 lb.) confectioners' sugar

• 6 tablespoons warm water

Makes: About 3 cups of icing. Make sure that you make enough icing and that you keep it covered with saran wrap until you are ready to use it.  I usually buy icing or pastry bags and fill a couple of them, snip the tip and you are able to "glue" in a straight line

I ask all my friends to bring an assortment of fun and colorful candy to share.  check out the following website for some candy and party ideas.  http://www.forkandbottle.com/Kids/holiday_cooking_kids.htm

Before the party starts, I cover my tables and floors with disposable tablecloths so I don't end up with a sticky and hard to clean mess.

Make sure that the houses are resting on something mobile, such as strong cardboard, so you can move it from one place to another. 

I usually get an extra gingerbread house so my kids and I can also make one together with the leftover candy.  I find they enjoy eating the candy more than decorating, but it is still a fun activity to do together! 

Then go to work, have fun, be merry and enjoy the results!!