Season's sweetenings

A Christchurch mum has turned a favourite holiday tradition into a business that spices up the lives of Kiwi families at Christmas

- Caroline Moratti

As the holiday season draws closer, Hilary Bothwell turns on her oven, ready to get into the swing of things. The Christchurch confectioner is the founder of The Gingerbread Company, serving up gorgeous Christmas gingerbread houses, which are topped with a dash of snowy sugar frosting for good measure.

Her mum Vicki, who is also her “right-hand lady” in the business, started making gingerbread houses as a family tradition when Hilary was four years old. “Back then it wasn’t that common and I always thought it was sad my friends didn’t have the same tradition,” says Hilary. “As I got older, we tried to outdo ourselves every year and our houses got better and better.”

That creative and competitive spirit has blossomed into The Gingerbread Company, which now makes hundreds of gumdrop-covered creations for households all around the country. From her website you can order an array of edible houses, as well as a DIY gingerbread house kit and cookie jars, with each offering more mouth-watering than the last.

Between her full-time job in marketing and The Gingerbread Company, Hilary also works as a marriage celebrant. “I’ve had the privilege of officiating at 26 weddings with more to come. It’s cliched but I truly do love love,” she says. This Christmas is an extra-special one for Hilary, who has recently welcomed a beautiful baby boy with her husband Harry.

Have you always been an avid baker? I wouldn’t say avid baker, more avid decorator. I’ve always loved that the most. I’m a bit rogue when following a recipe, but I do enjoy baking from time to time. I’ve always loved desserts and treating the family to a sticky date pudding every now and then.