A Gingerbread Gallery

David Allgyer of Lancaster, PA said he and his wife were inspired to create this gingerbread mill after spotting a similar structure pictured on a calendar. Could the squirrel under the tree be eyeing those presents?

Christmas Carousel

Inspired by a picture of a carousel from a 1950s-era women’s magazine, Judith Gardner, Columbia, MD, created this imaginative "Merry-Christmas-Go-Round." Built on a cake turntable, the mechanism spins the decorated cookies around.

Skiier's Dream

"My husband skis all the time," writes Julie Koubsky of Lowry, MN. "It inspired me to make this lighted chalet, hilltop house and lift. I made both a mogul and a groomed hill, so it would appeal to all skiers! It took 160 eggs and 80 pounds of powdered sugar!"

All Decked Out

Only the roof and deck on this log house are gingerbread. Lorina Rogers of Pinedale, WY constructed the rest from pretzel rods! Landscaping on the deck includes a cookie tree and “plants” potted in peanut butter cups.

Farm Scene

Using drafting software, Frances Blackwelder of Grand Junction, CO created the pattern for this snug farm, which includes a barn, silo, windmill, chicken coop and a snow-covered garden with pumpkins. A wagon holds the Christmas tree the farmer’s just cut in the mountains. Note the kitten drinking milk spilled from a bucket!

Cozy Cottage

This tidy log cabin opens to reveal a huge Christmas tree, rustic furnishings and fireplace complete with roaring fire. Jessica Lee of Philadelphia, PA melted Starburst candies to create the flames, as well as the poinsettias in the window boxes and the plates and cups.

Christmastime in the City

A native Kansan, Jodie Smith of Roeland Park is a country girl at heart, currently living in the city. She drew upon her surroundings to create a detailed city block in gingerbread, one that even includes a cake in the window of the local bakery!

Sweet Dreams

Glowing candles in the windows welcome home a gingerbread family created by Violet Koenig of Botkins, OH. She drew up pattern pieces after seeing a picture, then added enough candy to satisfy the sweetest tooth. Check out the doghouse to the side!.

Royal Fantasy

Myla Davidson of Shelby, NC enjoys art and sculpture, so she crafted a castle for her first gingerbread house! She dyed the bows, turrets, railing and trim by dyeing fondant gold, then brushing it with edible paint.

It Takes a Village

Employees of Collins Communications in Gillette, WY volunteered their time to create this gingerbread village as part of a contest for charity. Cheryl Dittus, who sent the entry, said details include their own building, plus the local newspaper, bank, church, city hall and a skating pond.

Vintage Victorian

A house she spotted while attending a family reunion caught Lois Jacobsen’s fancy. When she was back home in Dallas, WI, her cousin E-mailed her a snapshot, and Lois and her mom copied it in gingerbread and dressed it for the holidays, complete with cookie carolers.

Panning for Gold

Learning about the Gold Rush in school the previous year led Hunter VanDresar, age 14, of Holland Patent, NY to recreate Sutter’s Mill in candy. It all panned out well, right down to the gold dragees in the stream.

Enchanted Christmas Light Click to Enlarge [+]

This lighthouse features a fanciful mermaid, crafted in gum paste, lazily dipping a hand in a pool of blue boiled sugar. Creator Mary Elliott of Timonium MD even added a tiny lobster, and presents under the rowboat.