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Christmas Gingerbread House Display at Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, Pennsylvania
By carlvaleri | November 29, 2009
Children run excitedly from one ornately decorated shop window to the next. Christmas music emanates from hidden speakers, white lights adorn evergreens, and candles glow in the windows of this bucolic colonial village. I’m at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pennsylvania during the Christmas season and the village reminds me of a movie set from It’s a Wonderful Life.
Each year I look forward seeing all of the creative displays of gingerbread houses meticulously constructed of candies, frosting, and gingerbread. My favorite place to view these wonderful holiday creations is at the Gingerbread Display and Competition at Peddler’s Village.
History of the Gingerbread House
Prior to the popularization in North America of the gingerbread house the bread had been baked in Europe for centuries. In the 19th century the Grimm Brothers popularized the German Fairy tail Hansel and Gretel.
In the story a brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, wander into the woods and discover a gingerbread house covered with candies and cake but inside resides a child eating witch.
Originally, gingerbread was formed into figures and decorated for the holidays. After the tale of Hansel and Gretal became popular in North America, the gingerbread house became another decoration and symbol of Christmas.
Modern Gingerbread Houses
We have come a long way from the original gingerbread houses of Europe as is evidence by this years “Green” gingerbread home category in the gingerbread house competition at Peddlers Village. Not only are traditional houses displayed from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tail but new categories are on display. I particularly enjoy the houses constructed to replicate an actual building or place.
A great place to shop for Unique Gifts
After viewing the wonderful gingerbread houses we enjoyed walking into many of the boutique shops. This is one of my favorite places to shop, especially if I am looking for a unique gift. The stores many unique shops include English gifts, a store full of hot sauces, a unique toy store, pop culture icons, and a large collectibles shop just to name a few.
If you get hungry while shopping there is a wide variety of dining options. From cozy coffee shops to a colonial pub with traditional American food you will be able to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy. You might even want to stay at the village in one of the Victorian and colonial decorated rooms at the Cock and Bull Inn. Why not spend the weekend shopping and if you want to venture out you are not far from Doylestown and New Hope, two more towns with unique shops and restaurants.
For More Information:
The Gingerbread Festival at Peddler’s Village
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Topics: Christmas, Lahaska, Peddler's Village, Pennsylvania | 2 Comments »
March 8th, 2010 at 11:01 am
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Emily R. from Husky Training
June 24th, 2010 at 1:18 am
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