2024 Gingerbread House Contest Rules  

8 categories

Miniature-size houses

Miniature-size houses must not be larger than 4” long x 4” wide.

Category 1 – Houses made from kits – miniature size – Children 3 – 6 years old

Category 2 – Houses made from kits – miniature size – Children 7 – 10 years old

 

Regular-size houses

Category 3 – Houses made from kits – regular size – Children 3 – 6 years old

Category 4 – Houses made from kits – regular size – Children 7 – 10 years old

Category 5 – Houses made from kits – regular size – Children 11 – 15 years old

 

Original houses not made from a kit

Category 6 – House not made from a kit – Children 7 – 10 years old

Category 7 – House not made from a kit – Children 11 – 15 years old

Category 8 – House not made from a kit – 16+ years old

 

Gingerbread House Rules

1. Only edible items are allowed as decorations - no stickers, no plastic, no paper/cardboard/wood.

2. Non-edible items may be used to stabilize the gingerbread walls and roof. These include plastic forms, foundation, glue in the frosting to hold walls and roof together, etc.

3. Any additional structures – non-house walls, fences, trees, etc. – must be made from edible materials.

4. Entries must be brought to the museum from 10 a.m. on December 3 to 12:00 (noon) on December 12 during regular museum hours.

5. Houses will be displayed from arrival until December 19.

6. No names are allowed on the houses.

7. All entrants are given a number to place with the house entry.

8. The judge's decisions are final.

9. Winners are announced and prizes are given at 11:00 a.m. on December 14 at the Christmas Open House.

10. Entrants may pick up their houses from December 16 to December 19 during regular museum hours.

11. Houses not removed by December 19 will be discarded.

 

Prizes

1. All entrants receive a Family Membership to the Joplin Historical Society.

2. First-place winners receive monetary prizes.

3. Second- and third-place winners receive prizes.

4. Every entry receives a certificate.

5. Judges’ decisions are final.

6. Winners are announced and prizes are given at 11:00 a.m. on December 14 at the Christmas Open House.

Entries will be judged on overall appearance, creativity/originality, neatness/tidiness, and use of materials.

 

Judging

Overall appearance 0 – 10 points

Creativity/originality 0 – 10 points

Neatness/tidy          0 – 10 points

Use of materials      0 – 10 points

Total possible: 40 points