It’s officially holiday season, which means the Internet has decided- once again- to reinvent a classic tradition. This year it looks like basic gingerbread houses are out and and unexpected star is taking ove; at least on TikTok and Instagram.
And while the trend didn’t start here, it feels like the exact kind of holiday chaos El Paso would fully understand.
What is the Newest TikTok Gingerbread House Trend?
Instead of using the usual gingerbread walls and frosting glue, creators online are building entire Christmas houses out of a popular Mexican snack: chicharrónes de harina.
If you grew up anywhere near the border, you already know these by sight- the puffy, airy wagon-wheel shapes sold by street vendors, the giant “duritos” that expand in hot oil, or the rectangular strips that become the star of this trend.
The houses are assembled by standing the rectangular pieces upright to create the walls and roof, “glued” together with crema, and decorated with everything from spicy toppings to colorful sauces. The end result looks like a gingerbread house that ran away to a carne asada.
Why This Trend Feels So El Paso
Let’s be honest: if any city would be unbothered by someone constructing a Christmas village out of snack food, it’s El Paso.
This is the same place where Valentina counts as a personality trait and crema somehow makes its way onto everything at family parties. The moment TikTok introduced the idea of a holiday house built from Mexican snacks, you could practically hear the Borderland say, “Yeah… that tracks.”
No one has posted an El Paso version yet- but give it time. Someone’s tia is absolutely plotting one this weekend; it’s me, I’m the tia planning on making one this weekend; although I would be a bit concerned about the crema melting!
While gingerbread houses will always have their place, this viral twist feels like a playful nod to the snacks many of us grew up with. It’s silly, it’s creative, and it’s exactly the kind of Internet moment that sparks joy during a busy holiday season.
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