Christmas is here which means that it's time to break out the gingerbread. We found three of the best gingerbread houses in Shanghai; it'll take you straight back to your childhood.

IKEA | Furniture
IKEA’s DIY creed trickles down to its gingerbread house kits (RMB40), which come packed flat just like its furniture. This is the most utilitarian of our recommendations: you get four walls, a roof and a chimney, so you’ll need to supply your own icing and decorations. The fun really comes from building it. To put the house together, whip up some icing (or get a small ready-made tub from City Shop for (RMB27), glop it all over everything and then use your hands to fit everything together. We cannot stress this enough: it is absolutely essential to let the walls dry before adding the roof and the chimney. If you’re hasty, there will be a collapse.

Sweet Ever After | Delivery
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Sweet Ever After’s gorgeous, gourmet gingerbread house kit (RMB480). There’s no fumbling around with measuring cups with this one. In addition to freshly baked house pieces, there’s a proper gingerbread family (adorably delicious), plus assorted candies, moldable fondant, and white and colored royal icing, so you can decorate your house to look like something out of a Tim Burton flick. Construct your cookie castle on the styrofoam board provided so you don’t ruin the table your landlord claims is an antique.

Abendbrot German Bakery | Delivery
Do not be scared off by this bakery’s location in Qingpu—they deliver right to your door. You have two gingerbread house options here: ready-made or the DIY kit. The ready-made version (RMB220) somes complete with icing and décor. It’s freshly baked, so this is a decent option if you’re not into craftsmanship. The other (more fun) option is buying a kit (RMB150) and assembling the house yourself. You get the same delicious gingerbread but need to supply your own decorations, icing and elbow grease.

Did we miss your favorite place for gingerbread houses?