Naperville library invites families to build, share gingerbread houses
By Susan Greenwood www.naperville-lib.org December 12, 2012 3:36PM
This gingerbread house was designed by Naper Boulevard Library staff member Lisa Kessler to show the “no-bake” way of making a gingerbread house out of a box, pictures, tape and staples. The lights are even battery operated so you don’t even have to plug it in! | Submitted
Updated: January 15, 2013 6:15AM
Is your family up for a challenge? We all know the tale of Hansel and Gretel and the wonderful gingerbread house that really wasn’t anything but wonderful. Well, what about building a gingerbread house that is wonderful, unique and reflects your family’s activities and favorite things!
That’s what the Naperville Public Library would like you to do. Drop your creation off at your favorite library building between 9 and 10 a.m. Saturday and it will be on public display from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Certificates for various categories will be awarded. Photos of the gingerbread houses will be posted to the library’s Facebook page and website.
This is definitely an opportunity for your family to think outside the box. In fact, there’s really no need to bake.
You can even decorate a shoe box with pictures. Do your children like dinosaurs? What kind of house would a dinosaur live in? Make one, What about a princess who really, really loves candy Just think about what kind of house she’d like. The children’s department staff at the Nichols Library already has accepted the gingerbread house challenge.
In fact they’ve created an entire village in the display case in the lower level of the library at 200 W. Jefferson Ave. Hope and browse to get ideas.
This doesn’t have to be a day-long project. Stores all over town are selling gingerbread house kits, complete with all the fixings.
An even easier solution is just to use graham crackers that are joined together with a little confectioners’ sugar and water paste. (Hint — use an eye dropper to add the water to the confectioners’ sugar. It’s amazing how little you need.)
This is clearly an activity for the entire family — even sports fans. Crossed hockey sticks look wonderful on a roof. Imagine a house built in a basketball.
Let your imagination take you away, and we’ll see you and your creation on Saturday.
This activity is part of the Winter Family Read Aloud Program, so you can color in an activity on the treat sheet.
Remember completing eight activities finishes a sheet, and you can bring the sheet in for a prize. Your family also will be entered in a raffle for Chicago Wolves hockey tickets.
For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Susan Greenwood is the community relations coordinator at the Naperville Public Library. Contact her at 630-961-4100, ext. 2223, or greenwood@naperville-lib.org.
