Gingerbread dreams are those you have during the month of December and gingerbread is a common theme here in Mystic Country this month.

Here are a few ideas, not all are edible and not all are just for kids:

How about exploring a 28 foot Gingerbread House – found among the Shops at Mohegan Sun?!  Created by Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel and Mohegan Suns’ culinary team, this year’s house incorporates nearly 7,000 gingerbread bricks, four 7 foot soldiers made of  chocolate and Rice Crispies, icing and chocolate of all varieties. Awesome.

Visitors of all ages can walk through the gingerbread house to view the tiny rooms complete with stone fireplace made from gingerbread and dark icing grout, chocolate stockings, a holiday tree, a chocolate rocking chair and a chocolate glass with assorted cookies for Santa to enjoy. Atop the house is a cupola and weathervane decorated with four chocolate chefs. Believe me you will want something yummy after seeing this and how convenient, Godiva is right next door and good ole Ben and Jerry down the hall.

The Spa at Norwich Inn is offering a Gingerbread Body Polish and Body Wrap in addition to gingerbread themed manicures and pedicures.  The rich aroma of gingerbread cookies, dark brown syrup and hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger with no calories. Ahhh. Have you seen this spa? It is a gem.

Mystic Seaport is holding a Gingerbread Lighthouse contest (entries in Dec. 2-4). Make one or come see the designs while enjoying an old fashioned  ”Christmas by the Sea,” the Seaport’s newest holiday maritime experience now through January 2. Don’t want to go gingerbread building alone? Visit their Gingerbread Blast Workshop Saturdays and Sundays 2:25-3:45 pm.

Up in the North East corner of the region check out the Windham Textile and History Museum’s Gingerbread Holiday, Saturday Dec. 4 from 1-3 pm.  Build a gingerbread house, decorate cookies (ok there are some potential calories in that I’m sure).

Ok, and then the eating kind, I’ve got a hankering myself.  Look for the flavor at bakeries and on dessert menus. One of my favorite spots is Lis Bake Shop in Mystic.

Please leave a comment if I’ve left anything out!

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