STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Got a bit of architect, a smidgeon of house framer, a touch of artist in you?

Sun Valley Resort is holding its first ever Community Gingerbread House Contest. And the top three gingerbread houses will win a donation ranging from $3,000 to $1,000 for the homebuilders’ favorite nonprofit.

Participants are being asked to choose their favorite local nonprofit and submit a gingerbread house on behalf of that organization. The houses will be on display in the Boiler Room in Sun Valley Village from Dec. 10 through Jan. 1 as part of the resort’s annual Winter Wonderland.

Spectators can vote for their favorite house throughout the holiday season. Viewers may select up to three of their favorite entries. They must have a cell phone and email address to vote.

A summary of each organization and its mission will be on display with each entry.

Sun Valley Company will donate $3,000 to the first-place winner, $2,000 to the second-place winner and $1,000 to the third-place winner

Gingerbread houses must be dropped off between 2 and 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Boiler Room in the Sun Valley Village. Entries must register online at http://q-r.to/bdWcjB by Dec. 5.

Entries may be picked up on Monday, Jan. 2.

“It’s a pretty quick turnaround, but nothing like a deadline to get the creative juices flowing!” said Jenna Vagias, brand and communications manager for Sun Valley Resort.

A FEW RULES:

Most components must be edible; lollipops, for instance, cannot have paper or plastic stems.

Builders may use a cardboard structure frame and glue to hold together the structure but it should be covered with edible items.

Electric lighting may be added.

Entries must be freestanding an attached to a sturdy base made of wood or heavy weight cardboard. The base must be concealed via pretty ribbons and other trickery.

Entries must include a title, a 50 to 100-word description of the organization and a website address for the public to learn more.

Multiple entries can be made on behalf of a nonprofit but only one entry per person will be allowed.