13 Over-The-Top Gingerbread Houses Slideshow

Writing a note to Santa, or a thank you note to Granny (OK, back in the day, perhaps) has never been so delicious, thanks to New York-based Baked Ideas' alphabet and vintage typewriter made entirely out of gingerbread and sugar, on display at the Le Parker Meridien hotel. Just like old times...

This edible creation reminds us of the London Bridge over the Thames. Hopefully no cars are on it, should it come falling down.

Made by Cake Suite for the Stamford Museum and Nature Center.

It's been said that Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Now, how about the artist who recreated the iconic Pennsylvania home in sugar? They should win something, too.

Those hooved animals work hard all night long on Christmas Eve, so it's only fair that they should be pampered. Now, if ordinary hot tubs and facials were only made with finger-licking good ingredients, too.

If a life-sized gingerbread house like those seen at the Grand Floridian at Disney World isn't enough, why not construct a mountain out of gingerbread, like chef Franck Riffaud did at the Park Hyatt Aviara in San Diego? Inspired by the French Alps, Riffaud used about 200 pounds of gingerbread, 400 pounds of royal icing, and 20 pounds of rolling fondant. With a thick covering of snowy-white frosting and a hillside dotted with gingerbread cabins (including a ski school and snow-tube rental spot), it's a sight to be seen.

If you can't make it to Paris this holiday, Julia Navin decided to bring a bit of Paris to you, with this towering replica of the Eiffel Tower for the Asheville, N.C.-based Grove Park Inn gingerbread contest.

One of the hottest trends in the food world has been made edible by Lilli McFerrin for the Grove Park Inn gingerbread contest, because gingerbread boys and girls have to have their cider, cocoa, and fruitcake, too!

Christmas isn't complete for many without a trip to see the Rockettes. This year, Cos Cob, Conn.-based Sweet Lisa's created a completely edible homage to the famed New York landmark, taxicab and all.

In New York City, Christmas is first ushered in with the Rockefeller Center tree and buildings along Fifth Avenue bedecked in bows, as evident in the gingerbread version of the famed New York department store, Henri Bendel, created by Sweet Lisa's.

When it comes to over-the-top gingerbread creations, this one takes the cake. With picketers holding signs that say, "Elves need vacation days too," and "Stop global warming," New York-based Tribeca Treats made it evident that Santa's elves are frustrated with the economy, too.

It's not the White House unless it's white, right? The solution is to cover the 350-pound creation in white chocolate. Plus, it features real working lights and a Bo, the first dog, in every room. How did they get the chocolate to not melt?

The classic nursery rhyme of "There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" comes alive with this gingerbread creation made by Ashley Howard for the Grove Park Inn's annual gingerbread contest.

You hear about Dasher and Dancer pulling Santa through the night sky on Christmas, but little do you know that they're really aided by a plane, in the shape of a reindeer (though don't expect this one to fly through the night sky — it might melt in the snow). Or are they?