Until Jan. 5, a gingerbread showcase at the Hotel Grand Pacific will raise money to help families in Greater Victoria access affordable homes.
Organized by Habitat for Humanity Victoria, a 24-year-old non-profit that builds homes and offers pathways to homeownership for low-income families in Capital Region, the exhibit boasts dozens of sugary creations designed to impress even the most skilled bakers.
“It’s really cool to see how creative people get,” said Aaron Murphy, who was at the event to answer people’s questions about Habitat Victoria and the gingerbread creations. “The talent is incredible.”
Debit and credit card tap machines below each creation encourage attendees to donate to the non-profit. Last year, the event, which draws some 20,000 people annually, raised approximately $106,000, according to Murphy, who added that all of the donations will be used to build a new affordable housing complex in Gordon Head.
“The goal is to go above and beyond, but whatever donations we get will be fantastic,” she added.
The Hotel Grand Pacific unveiled the display at 9 a.m. and early attendees were overjoyed at the sight of the edible crafts.
“I'm really impressed with how great these are,” said Rose Kavanagh, a Vancouverite visiting Victoria for her birthday. “They're just stunning. They're absolutely stunning.”
Kavanagh’s husband John was equally impressed.
“It's a wonderful start to the Christmas season,” he said. “It's unbelievable the amount of time and effort people have put into this, and Habitat for Humanity – we all know that's a good cause.”
Panels in front of each of the cookie creations explained how they met this year’s theme, Through a Child’s Eyes, which encouraged bakers to build a scene inspired by their inner kid.
“As a young child, I woke up one Christmas morning to find it had snowed. If that wasn't wonderous enough, when I got to the living room, it seemed that the presents stretched from the door all the way to the tree at the other end of the room. I’ll never forget the feeling of pure awe and excitement," read the panel in front of a stack of intricate, ornately wrapped gingerbread presents. “The wonder of that scene has never left me.”
All of the bakers had to follow a strict set of criteria – creations had to fit on a two-by-two foot base, stand at least 18 inches tall and be made out of only edible ingredients. Panels also highlighted the difficulty of meeting these rules.
“None of us are bakers or have ever done anything at this scale,” read the panel in front of a group project. “Some bigger challenges included sugar burns and trying to keep the gingerbread from falling apart in our wet, humid climate.”
Of the attendees at the event's opening, some snapped pictures, while most bent at the waist, examining the intricate detail each of the creations boasts.
“I've seen a lot of people taking the time to enjoy and appreciate it,” said Murphy. “It makes me smile seeing how excited everyone is.”
To find out more about Habitat for Humanity Victoria and the gingerbread showcase, visit: habitatvictoria.com.
