The Timeless Holiday Decor That Anyone Can Make (It’ll Last for Years!)

published Nov 19, 2024

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North Bay, Ontario, Canada - July 26, 2015: Michaels store's facade. — Credit: Lester Balajadia/Shutterstock

DIY wooden gingerbread houses are trending on TikTok, and I am here for it. I love that this seasonal craft incorporates the holiday staple, but a version of it that will last for years to come (as opposed to the inevitable crumbling, sticky mess that building a gingerbread house out of frosting and cookies leads to).

Plus, I think this looks like the perfect group activity for you and your friends or roommates, or simply to do on your own to escape the packed action of college life.

First off, you’ll need a wooden Christmas tree village house or house kit for each person who’s participating. Michaels has some on sale for as low as $4.99 right now, and I also found this kit on Amazon for $19.99 that comes with three houses. You’ll need acrylic paints — this set comes with the brushes and costs $25.99 — and any other festive embellishments you might want to add. I suggest making snow out of cotton balls, and adding these adorable mini Christmas trees ($16.77 for 30 teeny bottle brush trees on Amazon).

Vivien Tatham (@iamvivientatham) posted a TikTok video of a group hangout where Tatham and friends got together to paint and decorate wooden gingerbread house kits from Michaels. I love their addition of the mini wreaths and teeny gifts. The houses look so cute all together as one gingerbread village!

TikToker @.madszee also tried this craft out with friends. I love that they used candy peppermints to decorate the perimeters of the gingerbread houses! They also paired this activity night with soup and bread, which add to those ultimate cozy winter vibes.

If you’re going for a more glam gingerbread house, I’d watch Kaitlyn Holop (@kaitlynholop) for inspo. Holop covered gingerbread house roofs with glitter, which does not need to be nearly as messy as it sounds! All you need to do is apply a sheet of glitter paper, like this one from Michael’s for $2.49, with some glue.