The Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix (NHS Phoenix) is “calling all bakers” across the Valley to participate in the third annual “Home Sweet Home” gingerbread house auction and showcase. The deadline to register online is Nov. 1.

One of last year's entries. Photo: Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix.

Anyone who wishes to contribute an original, imaginative interpretation of the traditional holiday gingerbread house is welcome to participate. The houses will be on display and auctioned off at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix to support NHS Phoenix. The nonprofit organization works to revitalize the neighborhoods of Phoenix by offering a variety of programs and services to support and build home ownership. It works with families to help them realize the dream of becoming financially stable by providing reverse mortgage and foreclosure intervention counseling, education, down payment and closing cost assistance, affordable mortgage programs and single-family homes.

Home Sweet Home is a exclusive evening of fun, art and an auction for 200 VIP guests.  The event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30pm Saturday, Dec. 1 and will showcase the gingerbread houses created by the community, artists, architects and celebrities. Guests will get a chance to bid on their favorite sweet palace to help those in need keep a roof over their heads.

The Children’s Museum will have the houses on display to the public from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1, during normal business hours of 10am to 4pm. Visitors must pay the museum’s general admission fee of $11 to get a peak at the gingerbread houses. Museum members, as always, are admitted free.

To be considered for the auction, gingerbread houses must be turned in to the museum between 9am and 3pm on Monday, Nov. 26. The “house” rules for all submissions requires a unique design that consists of about 80 percent edible materials. Gingerbread kits are welcome as a base or any other sweet material can be used in place of traditional gingerbread. NHS Phoenix will provide up to $100 toward the cost of edible supplies for volunteers who are in need of financial assistance.

For more information about entering a gingerbread house or attending the fundraiser, visit nhsphoenix.org.

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