Frosting the key to kids' gingerbread houses in Palatine

Families filled the basement of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School Monday night in Palatine to craft gingerbread houses.

"The secret to gingerbread houses is a lot of frosting," said Chuck Stelzner of Hoffman Estates.

Stelzner assisted his three grandchildren with their crafts of graham crackers decorated with licorice, gumdrops ... and of plenty of white frosting.

Two-year-old Benny Greiner of Palatine resisted the urge to feast on building materials and focused with intensity of his creation.

Chase Rappe, 4, of Palatine, meanwhile, did enjoy frequent licks of the white frosting as he completed the project with his mother, Daryl.