Thanks for the detailed review. I didn't start the game until the jam started and used Inform 6 to prototype it, as that's my adventure language of choice. I find it quicker to work that way. I might release a downloadable Glulx version later. No promises, though.
As you rightly deduced, I ran out of time and had to rush it at the end. Adventuron was undergoing changes while I was working on it and I got stung by some changes along the way. I'll certainly fix all those issues you raised as soon as possible.
Regarding the light source and the gingerbread, see Comments on 'Santa's Trainee Elf' in the community forum. Regarding the balloon, you're on the right track. I meant to add those verbs, but forgot. In the meantime, you can use BREAK.