Until Jan. 5, a gingerbread showcase at the Hotel Grand Pacific will raise money to help families in Greater Victoria access affordable homes.  

Organized by Habitat for Humanity Victoria, a 24-year-old non-profit that builds homes and offers pathways to homeownership for low-income families in the Capital Region, the exhibit boasts dozens of sugary creations designed to impress even the most skilled bakers. 

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really cool to see how creative people get,B次元官网网址� said Aaron Murphy, who was at the event to answer peopleB次元官网网址檚 questions about Habitat Victoria and the gingerbread displays. B次元官网网址淭he talent is incredible.B次元官网网址� 

Debit and credit card tap machines below each creation encourage attendees to donate to the non-profit. Last year, the event, which draws some 20,000 people annually, raised approximately $106,000, according to Murphy, who added that all of the donations will be used to build a new affordable housing complex in Gordon Head. 

B次元官网网址淭he goal is to go above and beyond, but whatever donations we get will be fantastic,B次元官网网址� she added.  

The Hotel Grand Pacific unveiled the display at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22 and early attendees were overjoyed at the sight of the edible crafts.  

B次元官网网址淚'm really impressed with how great these are,B次元官网网址� said Rose Kavanagh, a Vancouverite visiting Victoria for her birthday. B次元官网网址淭hey're just stunning. They're absolutely stunning.B次元官网网址�  

KavanaghB次元官网网址檚 husband John was equally impressed.  

B次元官网网址淚t's a wonderful start to the Christmas season,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t's unbelievable the amount of time and effort people have put into this, and Habitat for Humanity B次元官网网址� we all know that's a good cause.B次元官网网址�   

Panels in front of each of the cookie creations explained how they met this yearB次元官网网址檚 theme, Through a ChildB次元官网网址檚 Eyes, which encouraged bakers to build a scene inspired by their inner kid.

B次元官网网址淎s a young child, I woke up one Christmas morning to find it had snowed. If that wasn't wonderous enough, when I got to the living room, it seemed that the presents stretched from the door all the way to the tree at the other end of the room. IB次元官网网址檒l never forget the feeling of pure awe and excitement," read the panel in front of a stack of intricate, ornately wrapped gingerbread presents. B次元官网网址淭he wonder of that scene has never left me.B次元官网网址�  

All of the bakers had to follow a strict set of criteria B次元官网网址� displays had to fit on a two-by-two foot base, stand at least 18 inches tall and be made out of only edible ingredients. Panels also highlighted the difficulty of meeting these rules.

B次元官网网址淣one of us are bakers or have ever done anything at this scale,B次元官网网址� read the panel in front of a group project. B次元官网网址淪ome bigger challenges included sugar burns and trying to keep the gingerbread from falling apart in our wet, humid climate.B次元官网网址�  

Of the attendees at the event's opening, some snapped pictures, while most bent at the waist, examining the intricate detail each of the creations boasts.  

B次元官网网址淚've seen a lot of people taking the time to enjoy and appreciate it,B次元官网网址� said Murphy. B次元官网网址淚t makes me smile seeing how excited everyone is.B次元官网网址� 

To find out more about Habitat for Humanity Victoria and the gingerbread showcase, visit: .