y mother knew how to celebrate. She threw me the best birthday parties ever when I was a kid (taffy pulls, decorate-your-own cowboy hats, bake your own lollipops). She made all my Halloween costumes. One Christmas she made a little gingerbread house for every kid in my class. I was very popular that year.

Thanks, Mom. You really made my childhood amazing. And, gee, thanks, Mom. No pressure for me to be the same way with my kid.

I recently tried to make a gingerbread house for my own daughter. It looked like a holiday edition of This Old House … before Villa goes in for the kill and fixes it up.

So although I won’t be participating in the Culinary Guild of New England’s gingerbread house competition at Verrill Farm in Concord Sunday (December 11), I thought some of you nimble creative foodie-artists might want to take a stab at it.

From 4 to 7 p.m., you’ll enjoy tasty holiday-inspired hors d’oeuvres and beverages while decorating your own gingerbread house. They’re keeping the exact dishes all hush-hush. Since I want to remain on the Nice list this year, I’m not pushing them.

All of the trimmings are provided, including gingerbread, royal icing, and candy, to create your ultimate gingerbread house. You’ll have one hour, and then let the prizes fall where they may. You could win admission to a Culinary Guild Supper Club dinner, a signed copy of Chef Barbara Lynch’s Stir cookbook, or a Culinary Guild signature tote.

It’s only $45. Not a bad price to pay for a house, even in this bad real-estate market. And if you don't want to make your own gingerbread house this year, I’m sure my mom will be happy to make you one. You’re welcome, Mom.

Find more information and register here.

Small Bites

The Brahmin American Cuisine & Cocktails will begin hosting “Brahmin Social Sunday” brunches Sunday (December 11). Modeled after the notorious party brunches of New York's Meatpacking District, the Brahmin version will feature sounds by DJ Chris Roxx and $3 screwdrivers.

Union Bar and Grille in the South End has added a snack menu of small plates ranging from $2 to $4, served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

Find incredibly cheap restaurant deals every day from our partners at Eversave.

Also read Cheryl Fenton’s health and beauty blog, Easy Peasy.