KINGSTON — Three-hundred pounds of frosting, 300 gingerbread houses and 18 varieties of candy are the required ingredients for a good time at Farm Kitchen’s gingerbread house parties this month.

And with the business’ newly expanded banquet areas, more families can partake in the timeless tradition that has quickly become popular in the North End in recent years.

From Necco wafers as shingles to peppermint sticks as window frames, Farm Kitchen owner Hollis Fay and her staff have discovered in years past how creative their guests are and try to provide a wide variety of goods.

This year, popular candies include Hot Tamales and candy canes with the hooks snapped off. People have made woodpiles out of Tootsie Rolls and gum drops are popular for lining roof tops. Chex Mix cereal adds a more rustic touch as shingles and gummy fish have been a hot commodity as well. There are also gingerbread “people” to occupy the homes.

The parties also mean starting or continuing traditions with families and friends or are just Mom’s way of letting the kids go crazy with candy and not have to worry about the untidinesss that accompany such events.

“(It’s) something to get the Christmas season started,” said Bremerton resident Anne DeHan, who brought her son, Aidan, and other friends to do a party together. “It’s nice — my son wanted to make a house and not have to make a mess.”

“It’s very much worth the $25,” added friend Jenny Haydysch about the messiness factor.

The Campo family of Kingston came a few years ago and enjoyed it so much, they came back this year.

“It’s a great family event to do — create something together,” said Kelly Campo, noting that his son Simon and friend, Lucas Thompson, were the “brainchildren” behind this year’s creation. They didn’t come to Farm Kitchen with a plan but after seeing what others were doing, they masterminded their own design. The two finished up their house by lining its base with gummy candy and sprinkling powered sugar over the display for “snow.”

Fay said she notices a big difference in designs with between age groups each year. The 4-year-olds are simple, using minimal frosting and candy “but their mothers and fathers make for it,” she said with a laugh.

Twelve-year-olds make the most innovative creations, Faye added, noting that the age of those involved doesn’t matter the age, just as long as they have fun.

“There is an equal number of boys and girls, young and old. It is not an age-defined project,” she said. “Everybody has a good time.”

Parties remaining are 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Dec. 18. Call Farm Kitchen at (360) 297-6615 to RSVP or go to www.farmkitchen.com. Farm Kitchen is located at 24309 Port Gamble Rd.By TIFFANY ROYAL

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Three-hundred pounds of frosting, 300 gingerbread houses and 18 varieties of candy are the required ingredients for a good time at Farm Kitchen’s gingerbread house parties this month.

And with the business’ newly expanded banquet areas, more families can partake in the timeless tradition that has quickly become popular in the North End in recent years.

From Necco wafers as shingles to peppermint sticks as window frames, Farm Kitchen owner Hollis Fay and her staff have discovered in years past how creative their guests are and try to provide a wide variety of goods.

This year, popular candies include Hot Tamales and candy canes with the hooks snapped off. People have made woodpiles out of Tootsie Rolls and gum drops are popular for lining roof tops. Chex Mix cereal adds a more rustic touch as shingles and gummy fish have been a hot commodity as well. There are also gingerbread “people” to occupy the homes.

The parties also mean starting or continuing traditions with families and friends or are just Mom’s way of letting the kids go crazy with candy and not have to worry about the untidinesss that accompany such events.

“(It’s) something to get the Christmas season started,” said Bremerton resident Anne DeHan, who brought her son, Aidan, and other friends to do a party together. “It’s nice — my son wanted to make a house and not have to make a mess.”

“It’s very much worth the $25,” added friend Jenny Haydysch about the messiness factor.

The Campo family of Kingston came a few years ago and enjoyed it so much, they came back this year.

“It’s a great family event to do — create something together,” said Kelly Campo, noting that his son Simon and friend, Lucas Thompson, were the “brainchildren” behind this year’s creation. They didn’t come to Farm Kitchen with a plan but after seeing what others were doing, they masterminded their own design. The two finished up their house by lining its base with gummy candy and sprinkling powered sugar over the display for “snow.”

Fay said she notices a big difference in designs with between age groups each year. The 4-year-olds are simple, using minimal frosting and candy “but their mothers and fathers make for it,” she said with a laugh.

Twelve-year-olds make the most innovative creations, Faye added, noting that the age of those involved doesn’t matter the age, just as long as they have fun.

“There is an equal number of boys and girls, young and old. It is not an age-defined project,” she said. “Everybody has a good time.”

Parties remaining are 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Dec. 18. Call Farm Kitchen at (360) 297-6615 to RSVP or go to www.farmkitchen.com. Farm Kitchen is located at 24309 Port Gamble Rd.