Inaugural First Lady’s Gingerbread House Competition
West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey invites local K-12 classrooms, adult creators, and state agencies to participate in the Inaugural First Lady’s Gingerbread House Competition! The competition is open to public, private and homeschool classrooms, with each classroom eligible to submit one entry. Adult participants may submit one entry per individual or team.
Competition Entry Form
Prizes
The winning classroom of each student category will receive a $100 gift certificate for art supplies.
The top adult entry will be rewarded with a $100 West Virginia State Parks gift card.
Gingerbread Structure Rules
- Gingerbread houses must be placed on a rigid base no larger than 24” x 24”; 1⁄2” or 3⁄4” thick wood or plywood is recommended. Structures should be no larger than 24” any direction, including the base.
- Entry should include a label showing the title of the entry and name of the classroom, team,
or individual that created it.
- Structures should be free-standing and able to be viewed from all four sides.
- All visible areas of the structure must be made of edible materials; interior structures can be
made of non-edible materials.
- Refrigeration for entries will not be provided.
- Electricity will not be provided, but battery-powered elements are permitted.
- Entries should be sturdy and capable of remaining on display for up to six weeks.
- There is no theme for the competition as a whole; competitors are encouraged to develop
their own themes.
- Entries must be family-friendly; offensive, political, or controversial entries will not be displayed.
Timeline
Delivery: Gingerbread houses and completed entry forms must be delivered to the Culture Center no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Display: Entries will be on display in the Great Hall of the Culture Center from December 1, 2025 – January 2, 2026.
Judging: All entries will be judged on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Winner Notified: All winners will be notified on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Pickup: All entries must be picked up between January 5 – January 9, 2026 to avoid being discarded.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the following criteria. (100 points possible)
Overall Design and Appearance (25 Points)
- Entry is well designed and uses the allotted space creatively
- Entry is appealing to the eyes
- Entry is complete and decorated on all sides
Adherence to Guidelines (25 Points)
- Only edible materials are visible
- Entry is within the size requirements
- Label listing entry name and team is included and visible
Creativity (25 Points)
- Entry has a clear theme
- Entry uses material in a unique or innovative way
- Entry captures a festive and joyful holiday spirit
Neatness and Craftsmanship (25 Points)
- Structure appears sturdy and is not in danger of collapse
- Decorative elements are applied neatly
- Most of all decorative elements are handmade, rather than store-bought
Participant Categories
~Pre-K – 2nd Grade Classroom
~3rd – 5th Grade Classroom
~6th – 8th Grade Classroom
~9th – 12th Grade Classroom
~Adult (Team or Individual)
~State Agencies
Have Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Yeager at Elizabeth.A.Yeager@wv.gov
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