Gingerbread and the holidays today seem to just go together.

But gingerbread's existence initially wasn't necessarily for that purpose. According to a 2008 blog post on Smithsonian.com (that referenced The Gingerbread Book), crusaders in the 11th Century might be responsible for gingerbread's appearance in Western Europe (another article pinpoints its travel to Europe from an Armenian monk in 992). Its popularity filled medieval Europe with rumors and superstitions swirling about the food and its run as a "favorite treat at festivals and fairs," and one that took on different shapes.

Germany saw the first gingerbread houses in the 16th century, where the Christmas connection began, according to The History Kitchen. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretl featured "a house made entirely of treats," but the order here is up for debate.

Today, one can order pre-made gingerbread houses from the likes of Williams-Sonoma, various options off Amazon, and more, or create a masterpiece themselves.

Gingerbread houses have been flooding the likes of Twitter as of late – Dec. 12 was National Gingerbread House Day – so Food Dive put together some concoctions discovered on the Twitter-verse.

Gingerbread houses remind me of Hansel and Gretel :) pic.twitter.com/L8sSqhEd6D

— The Shirazine (@TheShirazine) December 12, 2014

I'm not worried about finals because if I fail... I'll drop out and make gingerbread houses professionally pic.twitter.com/T69vlLGW1y

— Nicole Nucaro (@NicoleNucaro) December 14, 2014

TIP OF THE DAY: Post Shredded Wheat makes a GREAT roofing for #holiday gingerbread houses!> http://t.co/ZAebBWuzQq pic.twitter.com/XL0wGF12lO

— This Old House (@ThisOldHouse) December 7, 2014

I like gingerbread houses. I think everyone does. But this edible Edmonton hotel is spectacular. pic.twitter.com/hvZNjdeAa8 5via @Cmdr_Hadfield

— Roberto Re (@robertore62) December 4, 2014

Wow! @beverlyhilton's executive pastry chef made this 8-ft tall gingerbread house, now on display. #joytothehills pic.twitter.com/Xzypecxq5S

— Beverly Hills (@LoveBevHills) December 10, 2014