Teams

• A total of 20 teams will compete, including the 2025 First Place team from University Communications, who will defend their title. The remaining 19 teams will be selected via a lottery. Register a team by Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 5pm.
• Teams are to consist of five faculty/staff members from a department or unit. Departments may combine to create a team.
• One team per unit/department.
• No students (undergraduate or graduate), please.
• Final rosters must be submitted by Thursday, December 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Substitutions are allowed.
• Team members do not need to individually RSVP to the event.
• Creative team names are encouraged.
• Teams are welcome to attend in festive attire and costumes. We love your creativity! Prize for best team costume in 2026!
• Selected teams will be announced on this website on Tuesday, December 2 by 5:00 pm.

Theme

Holiday Cheer ~ Celebrating 250 Years! 

Demonstrate your team's creative and clever interpretation of America’s Semiquincentennial by showcasing our nation's history or looking boldly toward its future. Like America, your gingerbread house should be built on ingenuity, perseverance, and community. Incorporating UConn and holiday themes are welcome but not required.

The Competition

• Teams will be provided with a gingerbread house and a bin containing frosting and decorative supplies. See House, Supplies & Utensils for details and Competition FAQ for additional information.
• Teams will be allotted one hour to decorate.
• Houses will be provided preassembled and may be disassembled to reconfigure. All house pieces must be utilized in the final configuration.
• Teams will be required to participate in three challenges to earn mystery ingredients during the competition. Each challenge will require at least one team member to participate. Past examples include, walking a specified distance with a book balanced on head, trivia quizzes, etc. Cell phones may be utilized as needed.
• All three mystery ingredients must be utilized fully in the decor of the house and be visible to the judges.
• Teams should be prepared for a fun, fast-paced, and good-natured competition!

Judging and Voting

• The gingerbread houses must be decorated in a manner that embraces and communicates this year's theme: Holiday Cheer ~ Celebrating 250 Years! A celebration of America's Semiquincentennial.
• Teams must incorporate all three of the three mystery items supplied during the course of the competition. The full quantity of each item must be used constructively and be visible. Points will be deducted if a team does not do so.
• Team members are expected to be present at their table when the judges visit to review.
• President Maric and Provost Alpay will serve as the official judges and will score the creations using a 25-point scale, allocating up to 5 points for each of the following categories: overall look (from 3' back), creativity (an idea of its own), decorating detail (neat work up close), structure (sturdy, clean seams), theme (fits the contest theme).
• First and Second Prizes will be awarded to the two entries with the highest combined scores from the judges. In the event of a tie, those entries involved will be placed in a random drawing.
• Each individual attending the event as a guest will be allocated one vote to cast for their favorite entry. (Team members do not cast votes.) Voting buckets will be placed at each team table.
• The People’s Choice Award will be determined by popular vote. With the exception of the two teams receiving the judge’s awards, the team which receives the most individual votes from guests attending the event will receive a prize and bragging rights! In the event of a tie, those entries involved will be placed in a random drawing.
• New for 2026 - the Best Team Costume Award! A mystery judge will determine this award, presented to the team who dresses in attire that embraces the contest theme and complements their house's decor.
• Winners will be announced at the event.

Prizes

First Prize
TBD

Second Prize
TBD

People's Choice Award
TBD

Best Team Costume Award
TBD