All-Ages Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Deadline

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Pauline Haass Public Library.

Rules & Guidelines 

Pre-registration is appreciated, pre-register here! At time of drop off you will need to fill out a form for each entry with this information: name of gingerbread creation, basic ingredients/supplies used, category entry, names of all participants and contact info.

Enter only 1 category: Children, Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, and Family. Enter as individual OR team.
Only 1 entry per individual or team.

Base and Height: All entries must have a very sturdy base no larger than 18″ x 18″. Gingerbread house can be any size in height.

Ingredients: Entire display except for the base must be made of edible materials. (Exception of lollipops with sticks). All ingredients must be non-perishable, so nothing that will spoil. All entries must use Royal Icing only (no buttercream as this will turn rancid).

Feel free to get creative! Choose a different dwelling, structure or object. It does not have to be a traditional gingerbread house design.

** SPECIAL THEME CATEGORY: Wisconsin ** 

You can enter our special theme category again this year: “Wisconsin!” Your gingerbread creation can celebrate anything about Wisconsin. It could be your favorite dairy food like gingerbread “cheese curds” or maybe your favorite local travel destination like the Wisconsin Dells! You will still enter the appropriate age category and as an individual or team, but please indicate that you are participating in the Wisconsin-theme category. You do not need to participate in the “Wisconsin” theme to participate in the gingerbread contest.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Drop off your gingerbread creation no earlier than Monday, November 30 and the deadline is Thursday, December 3 by 8 PM.

Submissions will not be accepted after this date.

VOTING & WINNING
There will be an open community vote for each category from December 5 – 20. People can vote for 1 favorite in each category.

The winner from each category will be announced Tuesday, December 22.

Winners will receive a Pauline Haass Public Library 2026 Gingerbread Contest ornament and King Arthur Baking gift card. Winners of the “Wisconsin” category will receive a Kwik Trip gift card and a 2026 Gingerbread Contest ornament.

All entries will be on public display in the library from December 5 – 31.

PICK UP
All submissions must be picked up by Wednesday, January 6, 2027, after that date all entries will be discarded.

GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!