Looking for gingerbread house contest ideas that go beyond a little cottage? Think a candy-covered lighthouse, a snowy ski chalet or even a taco truck.
These designs give you plenty to work with, whether you love tiny details or want one big feature to stand out.
You can keep your colors simple or go all out with candy. I especially love the little outdoor scenes.
Sometimes a winding path or a pond is just as cute as the house itself!
Gingerbread designs worth saving
green roof and pretzel walls
We’re starting off strong with this green-roofed house. I love the rows of pretzel sticks along the walls and those red windows framed with greenery.
If you want to go a step further, try a little pretzel fence like the one around the snowy base. The matching wreath on the front is worth keeping too.
icing scrolls and glowing windows
How gorgeous is this tall gingerbread house? The white swirls cover almost every wall, with orange and yellow windows glowing between them.
Try keeping your wall decorations mostly white if you love this look. There’s already so much to admire in the scalloped roofs, tiny railings and long icicles.
a little skating village
I am obsessed with this little skating scene. The blue-green pond has tiny figures dotted across it, plus a pretzel bridge along one side.
The candy-covered buildings are so cute behind it. Give your own village a shared pond if you want the houses to feel like part of one scene.
gumdrops and peppermint swirls
If you love colorful candy, this one is for you. The roof is packed with bright gumdrops, while red-and-white swirls decorate the front.
My favorite part is the wavy pink-and-white trim. Try repeating those colors around the little porch roof to bring the look together.
a candy-striped lighthouse
Don’t want to make a traditional house? No problem!
This tall lighthouse has white lines running up its brown walls and a red-and-white striped balcony.
I love the little fenced yard at the bottom. Keep your own base fairly simple if you want that lantern room to be the star.
colorful window panes
This cottage may just be one of my favorites here. I love the red, yellow and green window panes with the white icing swirls around them.
The roof stays brown with white scalloped outlines. That’s a pretty direction to try if you’d rather save the bright colors for your windows.
a snowy Christmas barn
How cute is this little barn scene? The open doors lead onto a winding path, with fences and green trees on either side.
The wreath above the entrance is such a sweet detail. For a similar layout, leave room in front of your barn for the path instead of filling the whole base with buildings.
a glowing A-frame chalet
I am obsessed with this A-frame chalet. The tall front windows show a glowing interior, while teal and silver-colored decorations follow the steep roofline.
Read also: 20 Christmas Lantern Decor and Festive Holiday Display Ideas
Don’t forget the little skis if you’re borrowing this theme. The pairs propped beside the steps are adorable.
a tall candy-stone chimney
If you are looking for a big feature to build your design around, then this chimney is for you. It stretches up the front of the house with multicolored pebble-like pieces covering it.
I love the thick white snow along the roof edges. The tiny blue pond and decorated tree give you a few smaller details to look at below.
inside Santa’s workshop
Who says your gingerbread scene needs a closed front? This open workshop lets you see the little worktable, presents and Santa figure.
The sleigh and reindeer along the top are so cute. Try an open-room design if the tiny things inside are your favorite part to decorate.
a balloon-topped house
That colorful balloon bunch is just too cute! This Up-inspired house pairs yellow walls with pink windows, blue trim and a pale green bay window.
I especially love the white picket fence. There’s plenty of color above it already, so I’d keep that little fence white.
a rainbow candy tower
If you want to go all out, there’s plenty of inspiration here. Pink, blue and yellow trim follows the uneven rooflines, with candy-covered balconies tucked between the levels.
The giant rainbow lollipop at the bottom is my favorite part. Pick a few of these bright colors for your own version, or embrace the whole candy-shop look.
a church with a snowy garden
This gingerbread church is so pretty with its tall shingled steeple. White outlines mark the brown walls, with a green wreath above the entrance.
I love how the winding pebble-like path passes the little pond. The snowman beside it makes the whole scene even sweeter.
a festive taco truck
A gingerbread taco truck? I love this!
The giant taco on top, candy-trimmed serving window and decorated wheels give you so much to look at.
Try red, yellow and green decorations if you want to follow this color scheme. The little figure with a guitar is a fun extra detail.
a snowy treehouse
This is such a cute twist on a gingerbread cabin. The house sits on a tall trunk-like base, with a ladder leading up to its white arched door.
The two little figures beside the campfire are adorable. Leave some open space below your own treehouse for a snowy scene like this.
the Hogwarts Express
Calling all Harry Potter fans, this train scene is full of lovely details. The red-and-black engine sits beside a platform with white brick outlines and green garlands.
The striped platform edge is my favorite touch. If you try this theme, a small luggage pile beside the arch is another detail worth borrowing.
white scallops and red candy
Don’t want to go overboard with lots of different colors? No problem!
This cottage keeps things mostly brown, white and red, with little green decorations beneath the windows.
I love the looping white roof pattern and red candies at the joins. The gingerbread figures lined up in front are just as cute.
Read also: 20 Rustic Gingerbread Christmas Kitchen Decor Ideas to Try
a christmas cruise ship
Who says you have to stay on land? This gingerbread cruise ship has rows of colorful decorations, tiny dotted windows and a large gingerbread-shaped decoration rising above the upper deck.
The turquoise waves and striped life rings are so fun. Give your own ship a blue base if you want to carry the theme beyond the gingerbread itself.
Read also: 30+ Gingerbread Christmas Decor Ideas That Melt Hearts
a chalet beside the slopes
Here’s a wider view of the A-frame chalet, with its snowy mountain beside it. I love the little green trees scattered all the way up the slope.
The steps lead from the house down toward the edge of the round base. This is a lovely layout to borrow if you want your scenery to have as much space as your building.
a grand candy-trimmed tower
Last but definitely not least, we have this huge tiered building and its tall tower. I love the red-and-green candy rows across the roofs!
The striped columns and repeated arched openings give you plenty of details to borrow. For a smaller version, try one long building with a single decorated tower beside it.