The White House's gingerbread likeness wasn't the only over-the-top confection to debut before Christmas. (Reuters)
While most people simply picking a kit up a gingerbread house kit at the grocery store, others take the tradition way more seriously. With artisan bakers taking to social media to show off their finest holiday confections, it's hard not to be amazed.
Here are eleven of Instagram's craziest gingerbread houses that push the cookie to its limits. Make yourself some hot chocolate, bite a limb off of your gingerbread man, and feast your eye on these true works of art - you just may be inspired to get crafty with some gingerbread dough yourself.
Disney’s Grand Floridian masterpiece
The Fairmont San Francisco’s two-story majestic wonder
FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP TROLLED OVER WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, OUTFIT
Harry Potter-inspired gingerbread creation
Seattle past and future at the Sheraton Seattle
Rockefeller Center scene
LONELY WIDOWER ASKS FOR A PLACE TO SPEND CHRISTMAS, GETS A THOUSAND RESPONSES
Charming shops and realistic books
Polar express
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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Cabin in the woods
School spirit
Tudor mansion
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