It's engineered to be one magic moment at The Jefferson Hotel's annual tree-lighting ceremony when some impressively large gingerbread construction gets its big reveal. While The Jefferson wouldn't disclose the shape of this year's creation, getting finishing touches from pastry chef Sara Ayyash (pictured), the landmark hotel unloaded the stats. From design to construction, the sculpture took 350 man hours;
350 pounds of gingerbread; 450 pounds of royal icing; 400-plus pounds of candies and a stack of lumber for the frame. Find out what Christmas theme it brings to life on Dec. 2 at 5:15 p.m.
