Amy Groome 
Part of what makes the holiday season so special are the scents, flavors, and traditions observed just once a year. Gingerbread house making is a holiday tradition that can be evoked with just a whiff of gingerbread. On Sunday, December 14th, the annual Gingerbread House Contest and Holiday Open House will take place at the Durand-Hedden House and Garden. The historic home is located at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood. The annual gingerbread house contest will be filled with the simplest festive joys. Read on for more about what to expect at this sweet seasonal event.
About Durand-Hedden House + Garden
The Durand-Hedden House and Garden is owned by Maplewood Township. The management team consists of citizen trustees from the non-profit organization, Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association, Inc. Maplewood’s only historic house museum presents programs linked to culture, including history, nature, art, and science. This special landmark assists in knowledge and appreciation of the heritage of Maplewood and the surrounding region, all while preserving the house, grounds, and collection displays. Visitors enjoy the Early American and Victorian features of the house, including a hearth from the 18th century. The grounds include a park, herb garden, bee hives, and a country store.
Read More: A Guide to the Gardens of Montclair + When to See Blooms
Monthly events involve a range of educational subjects. The Durand-Hedden house is currently strategically planning to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in commemoration of the American Revolution.
Annual Gingerbread House Contest
Entry categories in the gingerbread house contest include all ages and skill levels, and are listed below.
- Little Ones Category – 8 years of age and under; an individual, classroom, scout troop or family. Adult supervision is allowed and recommended.
- Youth Category – 9-12 years of age; an individual, classroom, scout troop or family Adult supervision is allowed and recommended.
- Teen Category – 13-17 years of age; an individual, classroom, scout troop or family
- Adult Category – 18 years of age and older; an individual, team or business
- Professional Category – Open to professional bakers, chefs and cooking businesses
Per the contest rules, any structure can be submitted for the competition, real or imagined.
The contest entry forms are due by Friday December 12th at 5:00 PM. The completed entries must be delivered to the Durand-Hedden House on Saturday December 13th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The judging takes place on Saturday December 13th at 1:00 PM.
The winner will be announced during the open house, which will take place from 1PM to 4PM.
The Durand-Hedden House will award the Grand Prize to one entry in the entire competition, with a $50 gift certificate to the Country Store. Winners in each category will receive $25 gift certificates for the Durand-Hedden House Country Store.
This is the 12th year for the family-friendly event. Board members plan the event while volunteers and members judge the contest. Every gingerbread house will be displayed at the Durand-Hedden House during the Holiday Open House. After the competition, all of the entries will be on display at the Hilton Library, located at 1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood.
Creativity awaits. Best wishes to all participants. For more information on how to register for the competition and to learn the rules and procedures, please visit the Durand-Hedden website here.
The organization can also be found on Instagram @durand_hedden and Facebook. Ready, set, start the baking
See More: Montclair Public Library Announces Winners of 2025 Library Card Design Contest
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