Families gathered to decorate gingerbread houses in Manassas

There was plenty of fun to be had last week at the Manassas Park Community Center’s gingerbread decorating class.

According to Tony Thomas, spokesman for the community center, the class has been held for more than 8 years.

“It’s one of our most popular events that allow families to work together. The idea behind the class is to provide an opportunity to relax from the holiday busyness, and enjoy a fun activity with the family,” stated Thomas.

This year 45 people were in attendance for the class and families were provided with graham crackers for the foundation and other decorations and treats to add to their holiday houses, according to Thomas.

According to Thomas, the class has become an annual favorite, and they also have similar classes at the Manassas Park Community Center that they run throughout the year.

“In December we run a program called Dough Ornaments. Families paint ornaments made of out cooked, and hardened salt dough. It provides them with a gift for someone, or an ornament for their tree. Then in February, we have another event called Cookie Hearts. This is open for kids ages 6-11, and they have the opportunity to decorate cookies as valentine’s gifts with our professional pastry chef, Jason Shriner,” said Thomas.