The gingerbread house has been a popular culinary treat for centuries, but it didn’t become wildly popular until it was incorporated into a certain Grimm’s fairy tale in the 1800s.

For the past few centuries, however, it has become a resource for holiday creativity for young and old alike. Much like selling a real home, the challenge becomes: How can you stage yours so it stands out from the crowd? With these seven sensational tips, using common edible foods, you can make your house the talk of the town!

Put up walls
Make the walls out of something unique, like graham crackers or pretzel logs. (Or, if you want to save time, start with a pre-made gingerbread house kit.)

Raise the roof
As you know, roofs have to be made to last, so use royal icing to apply various cereals for a sturdy, more realistic-looking roof.

Rock the house
Use chocolate rocks for a stone fireplace or as an accent to the bottom of the home.

Go green
Add some fresh outdoor scenery: wrap fresh rosemary around a waffle cone to make a tree, or tie together in a circle shape for a wreath.

Have a stick-up
Pretzels are versatile as a snack—and as an accessorizing tool. Create shutters, a fence, and a bench with pretzel sticks, and use them as a stack of extra firewood.

Walk(way) this way
The path leading to a house makes an important first impression. Make yours impressive by cutting strips of cinnamon gum and arranging them into a pattern to create a brick walkway.

Let it snow
Add a wintry finishing touch by sprinkling a little coconut on your scene.