In anticipation of Christmas we used to make a candy house every year while the grandchildren were still small. Britney who is now 21 and our grandson Grant of 19 were spending weekends at Oma and Opa’s house and helping us make the candy house for them which had to be finished by the 6th of December - Saint Nicholas Day.
Let me explain. My husband Hans my husband buys some double-sided wafers (we buy them in a European store with all the chocolates and candies that go on the house plus lots of Smarties to fill in the tiny little spaces in-between the other candies. Now first of all Hans builds a house and grounds out of cardboard then cuts out pieces of the wafers to glue the house and the ground it sits on. It is all glued together with cement glue. Not to worry the candies don’t get in touch with the glue that is why we use double sided wafers. When you brake a piece of candy off it comes right off the wafer. So to continue we have to heat up some icing sugar in a tea warmer and bring it to a boil. Just a little sugar and a few drops of water at a time. It has to have a certain consistency. With a tiny paint brush we put a little icing sugar on the candy and glue it the house. Just watch your fingertips especially with the smarties your fingers get burned easily. It’s a long drawn out job and of course the little ones always wanted to help. So once the house is finished we present it to the grandchildren on Saint Nicholas day. Of course they take it home at this time as they only spent the weekend with us. In anticipation of Christmas as the tradition went in our family children were allowed to break off a piece (or more ) every night till Christmas while the parents told them a story. Of course the candy house was made for sharing as well and I’m sure Britney and Grant had no problem with it as they had a lot of friends who were anxious to participate.
That is almost as elaborate as building a real house. I love those traditions and we have lots of them in my family too. Don't forget to put your boots out tonight, you never know...
The candy houses were intricately done! That's an amazing family tradition Bruni. Am not sure where you came from...is it a tradition of your country during Christmas? It's really very heart-warming. :-)
@Bugik. thank you for your lovely comments..yes I was born in Germany and since 1955 live close to Toronto. my husband Hans of course (you know by the name) is German too and we try to stick to our childhood traditions like a real Christmas tree with wax candles and the candy house for Saint Nicholas Day. we also celebrate Christmas Eve that's when we exchange gifts. i have two more pictures in case you haven't seen them they are in my Nature at it's best album. http://365project.org/bruni/nature-at-it-s/2010-11-08 http://365project.org/bruni/nature-at-it-s
@bruni Thanks so much for the reply. I saw your lovely pictures... The candy houses looked so so gorgeous and YUMMY. LOL It's really a great way for family bonding especially with kids. Love it!
December 7th, 2010
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http://365project.org/bruni/nature-at-it-s/2010-11-08
http://365project.org/bruni/nature-at-it-s