From the NOLA.com website:

Gingerbread house builders needed

“The St. James Parish Festival of the Bonfires is seeking participants for its third annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Last year, the contest featured 49 entries.  The contest will be held Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. The entry fee $15, which covers the cost of a pre-baked gingerbread kit. The deadline to register is Dec. 5.  The main rule is that everything has to be edible, except for the base. Categories ranging from children through senior citizens, individual and groups, will be featured.

The houses must be decorated at home and brought to the Festival of the Bonfires site at the Lutcher Recreation Park on Louisiana 3193 in Lutcher.  The Gingerbread Village will be open for public viewing on Dec. 15-16. For more information, visit http://www.festivalofthebonfires.org Carrie Guidry is the chairwoman. She may reached at 225.869.4336 or cmguidry@hotmail.com.  The gingerbread contest and village are among several attractions being planned for the Festival of the Bonfires. Rides, games, bands, food and other entertainment will be featured.”

So if you’re feeling competitive this holiday season, go for it.  Decorate the hell out of a prebaked gingerbread kit….though all decorations must be edible.  I notice that the “one” rule doesn’t specify decorations must be sweet….so what about a savory gingerbread house?  I’m thinking dried shrimp, bay leaves, rosemary branches, citrus peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, turmeric or other ground spices used to add color….