One of last year's entries! Looks delicious!

Get those large slabs of gingerbread and vats of frosting ready, because the annual Gingerbread White House Contest is back at the National Constitution Center.

Part of the NCC’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration, the Gingerbread White House contest is in its third year, and open for children ages 14 and under. Every year, the pastry chefs at the White House make a fancy gingerbread White House for the State Dining Room, and the NCC invites kids to do the same. And with the Diana: A Celebration exhibition going on, those participating can choose to create a replica of Buckingham Palace instead. I’m not sure which one is easier.

For contest rules and more details, visit the National Constitution Center’s official website. Good luck to all entrants!

3rd Annual Gingerbread White House Contest
Monday, December 22 – Monday, December 28, 2009

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6700
www.constitutioncenter.org

Photo courtesy the NCC

Lovers of all things royal will be delighted to learn that the Princess Diana exhibition, which the National Constitution Center has been hosting since October, is going to be staying in Philadelphia through January 3, 2010, a few days longer than originally scheduled. Additionally, the exhibition hours will be extended January 1-3, so that visitors can view all nine galleries from 9:30 a.m. until 12 midnight.

This extensive exhibition covers more than 10,000 square feet and features more than 150 artifacts, including Diana’s wedding dress, diamond tiara, multiple suits and dresses and her childhood home movies.

Admission to the Diana exhibition is $15-23. For information about ticketing, discounts, group rates and hours, click here.