Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Ideas
By Cedar & Ledger
A gingerbread house contest turns a messy afternoon into an event people talk about all year. Teams build, everyone votes, and the funniest collapse often gets the biggest cheer. Here is how to run one at home, at the office or in a classroom.
Plan the basics
- Choose the format. Teams of 2 to 4 work best. Solo builds take longer and leave kids stuck.
- Kits or from scratch? Store kits save hours and keep it fair. Graham crackers on a milk carton are the cheapest option for kids.
- Set a time limit. 60 to 90 minutes of building, plus 15 minutes for icing to set before judging.
- Budget per team. A kit plus extra candy usually runs $10 to $20 per team.
- Ask about allergies. Many candies contain nuts, gluten or dairy. Put labels on the candy bowls.
Supplies checklist
- Houses or kits, one per team, plus 1 spare
- Royal icing in piping bags (make it thick so walls hold)
- Shared candy bar: gumdrops, mini marshmallows, candy canes, pretzels, sprinkles, cereal, coconut "snow"
- Cardboard bases covered in foil
- Paper towels, plastic table covers, wet wipes
- Numbered cards for each entry
Build tips that prevent collapses
- Let walls set for 10 to 15 minutes before adding the roof.
- Use cans or mugs to prop walls while icing dries.
- Decorate flat panels before assembling if time is short.
- Keep a "repair station" with extra icing.
Contest categories
Give every team a shot at something:
- Best in Show
- Most Creative Design
- Best Use of Candy
- Most Structurally Sound
- Funniest House (or Best Disaster)
- Best Kids' House
Judging that feels fair
- Score each house 1 to 5 on creativity, decoration, structure and theme.
- Let guests vote by secret ballot for the people's choice.
- Use a neutral judge (a neighbor, a manager from another team, a grandparent).
- Announce awards from smallest to biggest.
Theme ideas
- Winter cabin, ski lodge or North Pole workshop
- Your own house or office building
- Famous landmark
- Movie or book scene
- "Worst neighborhood on the block" for adults
A simple 2-hour run of show
- 0:00 Teams, rules and supplies
- 0:15 Build time
- 1:30 Icing sets, snacks and hot cocoa
- 1:45 Voting and judging
- 1:55 Awards and photos
Hosting a cookie swap too? See cookie decorating party ideas.
Printable kit
The Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Kit has the party plan, budget, shopping and candy lists, royal icing recipe, team sign-up, ballots, judge scorecard, tally sheet and 6 award certificates. Hosting more than one event this season? The Christmas Party Pack 2026 bundles 8 party kits, including this one.
Printables are made with AI assistance and reviewed before release.
Related template: Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Kit. Also see: Christmas Party Pack 2026 · Christmas Cookie Exchange & Baking Planner
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Gingerbread house decorating contest ideas: teams, supplies, build tips, categories, fair judging and a 2-hour run of show.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.