Gingerbread House Competition

About the Competition

A tradition as sweet as the season itself! The Cashiers Historical Society’s annual Gingerbread House Competition invites the community to celebrate creativity, holiday fun, and local history — one frosting-covered masterpiece at a time.

Bakers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in this festive showcase. Whether you’re dreaming up a snowy cottage, a whimsical winter scene, or a replica of a beloved Cashiers landmark, your imagination sets the stage. Each gingerbread creation is handcrafted with edible materials and displayed under the Pavilion for all to enjoy throughout Holidays at the Historical Society.

Entries are judged on design, originality, color, craftsmanship, and theme—and the community gets to join in the fun by voting for their favorite! It’s a joyful way to honor creativity, bring families together, and celebrate the holiday spirit in Cashiers.

Prizes & Recognition

Category Winners (4) — Announced live during the Cashiers Christmas Parade

Community Favorite Award — Chosen by event visitors and revealed on social media

Prizes for All Winners — Surprise from CHS, local recognition, and sweet bragging rights!

Schedule of Events

Thursday, December 4 | 9:00am–12:00pm
Drop-off at the Cashiers Historical Society Dowden Pavilion

Friday & Saturday, December 5–6
Gingerbread creations on display during Holidays at the Historical Society.
(Visitors vote for the Community Favorite Award!)

Saturday, December 6
Category winners announced during the Cashiers Christmas Peppermint Stick Parade, Gingerbread Man's Mountain March

Monday, December 8
Community Favorite Award revealed on CHS social media channels

Tuesday, December 9 | 9:00am–5:00pm
Pick-up at the Cashiers Historical Society

Tuesday - Friday, December 9 - 12 | 9:00am–5:00pm
Winners pick up their prize at the Cashiers Historical Society

Every participant’s creation becomes part of a magical display, making this a special moment for our community to come together and celebrate!

What to know before you bake, build, and decorate…

Who Can Enter

• Individuals or teams welcome in all age categories

• All ages invited — from kids to adults and businesses

• No registration required!

What to Bring at Drop-Off

• Your gingerbread creation

• A short info sheet including:

  • Name

  • Email/Phone

  • Social media handles (optional)

  • Name of your creation

  • Your entry category

  • A brief “Why I made this” message. (We’ll display it for visitors!)

Theme

• Choose any theme you love! Entry categories are below.

• Exception: Cashiers Landmark category must feature a recognizable local site

How Entries Are Judged

Our judges look for creativity, craftsmanship, and holiday charm! Each creation is evaluated in five areas:

• Overall Design & Appearance

  Does your gingerbread home or scene catch the eye? Judges look at proportion, structure, and how much gingerbread is proudly on display.

• Originality & Creativity

  Show us something delightfully different! Unique ideas, clever details, and outside-the-box thinking all shine here.

• Use of Color

  A thoughtful color palette can make your creation pop! Judges look for balance and how color brings your design to life.

• Precision & Neatness

  Clean lines, smooth icing, tidy decorations — craftsmanship counts! Details should look intentional and neatly done.

• Consistency of Theme

  From roof to doorstep (or mountain to valley!), your theme should flow throughout the entire piece.

Important Creative Guidelines

To honor the tradition of gingerbread craftsmanship:

• The main structure must be at least 75% gingerbread

• Gingerbread should be visible whenever possible

• Everything above the base must be 100% edible

• Up to 25% may be machine-produced components

  (like 3D-printed or laser-cut candy pieces)

• Handcrafted elements are encouraged for top scores!

We encourage imagination — from cozy cottages to Cashiers landmarks, we can’t wait to see what you dream up!