Gingerbread House Contest Registration

We are excited to once again host the Animas Chocolate & Coffee Company’s Annual Gingerbread House Contest! Join us on Friday, December 12th, for the “Parade of Gingerbread Homes,” a community event during which judging will occur and winners will be announced!

This year’s categories are:

• Children (kids under 14): $20.00 registration fee
  • House must be fully constructed solely by kids under the age of 14, without help from an adult
  • Winner receives a $50 ACC gift card + ACC gift basket
• Adult/Family: $35.00 registration fee
  • Adults are involved in the construction in any capacity
  • Winner receives $100 ACC gift card + ACC gift basket
• Business/Professional: $75.00 registration fee
  • Build a house yourself/with your business team!
  • Your business name and logo will be included on the signage of the house
  • Winner receives a $150 ACC gift card + ACC gift basket

People’s Choice winner will receive a $100 ACC gift card + ACC gift basket.

Please be sure to choose the correct category from the dropdown menu when registering!

Deadlines & Dates:

• All houses must be dropped off on Saturday, December 6th (any time during normal café hours)
  All entrants must be registered ahead of time
• Judging occurs and winners will be announced at The Parade of Gingerbread Homes on Friday, December 12th
• Houses will be on display Saturday, December 6th-Wednesday, December 31st
• Houses must be picked up on Friday, January 2nd, 2026. Any entry remaining on Monday, January 5th, will be discarded.

Registration Fees & Categories:

Registration and entry fee are due prior to drop off and entrant will be able to pick up their “official” gingerbread house base once they’ve registered.

One winner from each category will be chosen, plus one overall ‘People’s Choice” winner. Each winner will receive an ACC Gift basket plus an ACC gift card.

Registration is limited to the first 25 entries! 

Registration fees include an 18”x18” board which your gingerbread house must be constructed on. Once registered, you can pick up your board at any time during normal business hours at our chocolate café.

Contest Rules & Procedures:

• Gingerbread structures may be houses, train stations, barns, or historic buildings. Entries must be constructed in 2025. Entries must be original; no gingerbread kits allowed.
• Structures must be constructed entirely of gingerbread. No lights or electronic devices allowed. All components of the display (decorations), except for the base, must be made of edible materials. Edible materials include candy, nuts, cereal, cookies, crackers, and other food items. Wrappers must be removed from candy – no sucker sticks, straws, etc.
• Entries must be constructed on the provided 18”x18” plywood base. No decorations should be placed on the sides of the base. Please tape a 3”x5” card with the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, and email address to the underside of the base.
• Entrants must register ahead of time and pick up their boards in-person at Animas Chocolate.
• All entries must be picked up on January 2nd, 2026. Any entry remaining on January 5th will be discarded.
• House drop-off will occur on Saturday, December 6th, during normal café hours. All houses must be dropped off on this day, no exceptions.
• Judging will occur on Friday, December 12th by a panel of judges chosen by ACC. Entries will be judged on overall appearance (10 points), originality/creativity (10 points), workmanship & technique (10 points), and difficulty (10 points). Winners will be announced on the evening of December 12th at the “Parade of Gingerbread Homes” event.
• One winner will be chosen from each category, plus one overall “people’s choice” winner, chosen from votes cast the week of December 12th. Each winner will receive an ACC gift basket and an ACC gift card.