Preserve a decorated Gingerbread House

If you want to keep a gingerbread house looking perfect throughout the holiday season, display it in a cool, dry place. Covering it at night with plastic wrap seals out moisture, dust, bugs and other errant inedibles.

Properly sealed and protected, you might be able to keep a gingerbread house looking good up to a year. For non-edible creations, spray with a clear lacquer, which is available at craft and hardware stores. You might need several coats for maximum protection.