ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Ashley Styles entered the National Gingerbread House Competition with her first-grade class from Black Mountain Primary. 

For their gingerbread house, she asked her students what Santa Claus would want for Christmas. 

“We came up with the idea that he would want a baby reindeer,” Styles said. 

Ashley Styles’ first-graders at Black Mountain Primary stuff edible tissue paper into a present for Santa as part of their entry in the National Gingerbread House Competition. (Spectrum News 1/Melody Greene)

She decided to join the competition initially after being inspired by her son’s teacher. 

“My son was actually in this competition when he was in first grade with his first-grade teacher. I took him to the ceremony that night and just watching all of the kids' excitement and joy, I figured I wanted to do it, too,” she said.

When working with kids and food, things can get crazy, but she loves it, and so do her students at the school in Black Mountain, east of Asheville in Buncombe County. 

“It never goes according to plan. It never fails that we always have an accident, or the gingerbread breaks,” Styles said. “Perseverance is probably my favorite part of this.” 

She said the children's abilities always surprise her. 

“Some kids are really good at doing piping, some kids are really good at using the knife, or rolling out the gingerbread," Styles said. "It’s fun to see that skill set that you’d never see doing any other curriculum."

Students in first-grade teacher Ashley Styles’ class wrap fondant around Rice Krispies for a baby reindeer’s head for their entry in the National Gingerbread House Competition. (Spectrum News 1/Melody Greene)

They use several ingredients in addition to gingerbread: Rice Krispies, icing, sprinkles, fondant and even Ramen noodles.

“We’ve gone through 40 pounds of confectioner’s sugar, and we did five bags of flour, but we’ve got one left over, so really four, just in the gingerbread alone,” she said.  

The class spent four to five hours a week with two or three kids at a time to complete the house. Styles said her students are learning invaluable skills through this project.

“Teamwork and cooperation,” Styles said. “Organization, collaboration, just being part of a team and part of something that’s bigger than just me.” 

Two years ago, her class placed third in the children’s category.

She said she’ll continue to do this because it brings them all joy. 

“Their excitement and their enthusiasm and support of each other, when they hold hands, or they jump and celebrate. When we cross our fingers and hope to celebrate, it’s the best,” Styles said.

To see a gallery of the top winners, click here.