Hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest is a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends, or colleagues. Whether it's a casual gathering or a more competitive event, here’s how you can plan, set up, and host a successful gingerbread house decorating contest that everyone will enjoy.
- Choose a convenient date: Make sure to schedule the contest during a time when most people can attend, ideally on a weekend or a holiday break.
- Set a duration: Plan for the event to last 2-3 hours, depending on how intricate you want the decorating process to be.
- Invitations: Send out festive invitations, whether by mail, email, or social media. Include all the details like time, date, and any special rules.
- RSVP: Ask guests to RSVP so you can plan accordingly and make sure you have enough gingerbread kits or supplies.
3. Provide the Gingerbread Houses and Decorating Kit
- Pre-made gingerbread kits: You can buy pre-baked gingerbread house kits from stores, or you can bake your own gingerbread pieces ahead of time. For a DIY approach, use store-bought gingerbread sheets, cut them into house shapes, and bake them in advance.
- Decorating supplies: Gather a variety of decorating supplies, such as:
-Icing: Prepare plenty of royal icing or frosting to serve as the “glue” for the gingerbread houses. Consider using piping bags for easy application.
- Candy: Stock up on a variety of candies (gumdrops, candy canes, licorice, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc.) to give everyone options for decorating.
- Other decorations: Consider adding additional items like edible glitter, colored sugar, or mini cookies for extra flair.
- Workstations: Set up individual or team workstations with enough space for people to decorate. Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths or disposable placemats to catch the mess.
- Tools: Provide all the tools they might need: scissors, spatulas, spoons, and additional piping tips for finer decoration.
- Comfortable seating: Ensure each participant has a comfortable spot to work on their gingerbread houses, ideally with enough space to spread out and decorate.
Establish a few rules to ensure fairness and fun:
- Team or individual: Decide if participants will work solo or in teams.
- Time limit: Set a time limit, such as 60-90 minutes, for everyone to complete their house.
- Theme: If you’d like to add an extra twist, set a theme for the houses (e.g., Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Workshop, Candyland, etc.).
- Judging criteria: Clarify how the houses will be judged. Common criteria include:
- Creativity and originality
- Attention to detail
- Use of materials
- Overall design
- Holiday treats: Have festive drinks and snacks available, like hot cocoa, mulled wine, cookies, and popcorn.
- Nibbles: Keep some extra candy and treats on hand, in case participants need more “fuel” during the contest.
- Themed drinks: Consider serving drinks that match the theme of the event, such as peppermint hot chocolate or sparkling cider.
- Play festive music: Create a holiday playlist with Christmas carols or festive songs to set the mood for the contest.
- Games or activities: If you have younger children or want to keep things interactive, consider adding a few other activities like Christmas trivia, a holiday photo booth, or ornament crafting.
- Panel of judges: If you want to make the event feel official, assemble a panel of judges, such as family members or friends, to evaluate the gingerbread houses.
- Guest voting: Alternatively, allow guests to vote for their favorites in categories like "Most Creative," "Best Use of Candy," or "Most Festive."
- Prizes: Have small prizes for the winners! Consider giving out fun awards like:
- Most Creative
- Best Traditional Design
- Most Festive
- Best Teamwork
- People’s Choice Award
- Prizes could range from holiday-themed trinkets to gift cards or small trophies.
- After the contest, set up a display table where everyone’s gingerbread houses can be showcased. This gives guests a chance to admire each other’s work and vote for their favorite creations.
- Photographs: Take lots of pictures of the contestants and their gingerbread houses. Consider setting up a photo booth area with props or festive backgrounds for fun family or group shots.
- Videos: Record short videos of the decorating process, or even have a "time-lapse" video of the houses being built and decorated.
11. Clean-Up
- After the event, be sure to have a plan for cleanup. Provide plenty of trash bags for candy wrappers, icing tubes, and other waste. For the messier aspects, like icing, have damp cloths or wipes handy.
Bonus Ideas for a Unique Gingerbread House Contest:
- Themed Contest: Make the contest more challenging by adding specific themes, like “Best Snowman Village,” “Gingerbread Ski Lodge,” or “Santa’s Sleigh Workshop.”
- Edible Structures: Allow participants to build structures other than houses, like gingerbread trees, castles, or animals.
- Mystery Ingredients: Add a fun twist by including some "mystery ingredients" that participants must incorporate into their designs, such as a certain candy or decoration.
Hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest is a great way to bring people together for a festive, hands-on activity that’s as fun as it is delicious! With some planning, creativity, and a bit of holiday spirit, you’ll create lasting memories and a beautifully decorated set of gingerbread houses.