Calling all Hansel and Gretels.. gingerbread house query

[pantshavenames]

If I wanted to start a christmas tradition of making a gingerbread house (I'm still not completely convinced it wouldn't be something I'd regret ) are there cutters or a pattern or something to make the gingerbread with? I know you can buy the kits but they seem quite expensive and the gingerbread is probably unpleasant. Plus then I could use it for birthdays and stuff.....
anyone?
(and if anyone has tried it and found it a complete nightmare then FGS tell me now)

buy a kit from Lidl or Ikea

they are perfectly tasty and stand up, which homemade ones never do ime as it is so hard to get the bits exactly square.

Or try this?

(disclaimer: I've not actually tried it myself!)

We are going to try too. Will bookmark NorksDrift's link to study later. The observer food monthly says to use toffee as glue but it seems a bit scary.

The Ikea one is delicious. Its 2 or 3 pound and I never actually made it last year I just ate the gingerbread over a few days with a coffee I WILL make it this year though. Maybe.........

NB always buy two kits as one bit invariably breaks

and do not use hot melted sugar as glue as although it sticks well it burns like buggery, use squeezy icing and hold/prop it in place till it sets

Oh my good god look at what I've just bought the kit for!
I am now committed.....

We went to see this baby on Saturday, though we didn't get too close as I doubt I could have trusted myself not to have a nibble