Gingerbread for Christmas & Folksy Friday

Well the title says it all, this weeks Folksy Friday is all about Gingerbread, click on the links to take you to Folksy shops.

So where did gingerbread originate?  There are lots of theories almost as many as there are gingerbread men.  Some say it originated in the Middle East, from where wonderful spices were brought to the western world, but there are also references that go as far back as the ancient Greeks and Egyptians.
Queen Elizabeth I who's reign was 1558 – 1603 is often credited with the invention of the gingerbread man.  She would have gingerbread men made for visiting dignitaries in their own likenesses.

Felt Gingerbread chefs 

by

 The Crafting Gardener

Gingerbread was so popular that William Shakespeare wrote in Love’s Labor’s Lost, “An I had but one penny in the world, thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread.”

Ceramic Gingerbread Man

by

The Dottery Potter

We like to see Gingerbread men as decorations for trees and on cards to send to family and friends.

Gingerbread Cards

     by

   Stephanie Short Stationery

The smell of it baking, mmmm conjures the memories Christmas time. The aroma the tastes and sight of Gingerbread Men, Women and Houses are a feast for the eyes and delicious on the taste buds.

Gingerbread Men Bookends

 by

We Love to Make

 Some say the tradition of making decorated gingerbread houses started in Germany in the early 1800s. According to certain researchers, the first gingerbread houses were the result of the well-known fairy tale "Hansel & Gretel" after the Brothers Grimm published Hansel and Gretel in 1812.

Wrapping Paper

by

Jane Crick 

But some say that The Brothers Grimm used the House in their story because it was already a popular tradition. 

Gingerbread House

 by

 Handcrafted by Picto

Gingerbread House Hanger

 by

Handcrafted by Picto 

Click on the links under the above photo's to take you the Folksy Shops where you can see more deliciousness.

I'm off to have a yummy bit of Gingerbread with my coffee.

Jan x 
 

Gingerbread Houses and Doors for Santa's Elves & Winter Fairies

Gosh, it's the first day of December already, the day you can start to open the doors of your Advent Calender.

This week I've been busy with Gingerbread Houses. 

Gingerbread has a long history, I read that Gingerbread was brought to Europe in 992ad by an Armenian Monk and from there the love of Gingerbread spread across Europe to Britain and America.

It's believed that Gingerbread Houses became popular after the story of Hansel & Gretel by The Brothers Grimm was published. 

These Christmas Tree Decorations are painted individually so are all slightly different and in different colours. 

Gingerbread House Tree Decoration

Handpainted Gingerbread House Tree Decoration

Gingerbread House with a Candy Cane

I've also painted a little Gingerbread Man for a Tree Decoration.

Watch out here comes the history snippet.. 

The popularity of the Gingerbread Man has been attributed to Queen Elisabeth 1. (1533-1603) It is said that she had the gingerbread figures made and presented in the likeness of some of her important guests and courtiers.

Gingerbread Man Christmas Tree Decoration

Christmas Fairy & Elf Doors have been a hit this year too, they are great for weaving a story around, they are a way for Santa's helpers to pop in from the North Pole to see how the children are behaving or as an alternative to a Santa Key. If you are going away from home for the festivities you can take the Door with you and Santa will know where to leave any presents.

I have traditional Reds and Greens,

Christmas Elf Doors in Red & Green

lovely Blues

Christmas Elf & Winter Fairy Doors in Blues

and even Pretty Pinks..

Pink Christmas Doors for the Winter Fairy

Don't forget that if you'd like to purchase any of these items (or similar) please contact me.

I hope you all have a great week and don't eat all the advent chocolates before the first week is out!!

This post is linked to  Handmade Harbours Linky Party

Jan x