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Photos by Grace Toner
December 7, 2023
Bandera General Store brings Christmas Spirit to the community
By Grace Toner
The Bandera Prophet
Break out the royal icing, it’s time to crown a new winner of the Bandera General Store’s Gingerbread House contest. While some enjoy eating the delicious treats that come across our tables during this festive time of year, others choose to take the engineering route and work for their sugary treats.
On Friday, Dec. 15, the Bandera General Store will host its 5th annual Gingerbread House Contest. The contest will be judged by the Bandera Cowgirls on Dec. 16, at noon, based on appearance, creativity and difficulty level. The only restrictions are entries must be on a wooden or cardboard base no larger than 18x18 inches, and they must be homemade. There is also no age limit for the contest; it’s open to children and adults alike. Winners will not only walk away with bragging rights, but cash prizes are offered for first through third place entries.
Glen McComb has owned the Bandera General Store with his wife Marcia for 11 years. McComb said he came up with the idea for the contest while watching the Hallmark channel several years ago.
Instead of aspiring to recreate one of Hallmark’s cheesy (yet lovable) cozy holiday movies, McComb wanted to recreate the magic of Hallmark’s Gingerbread House competition in the Cowboy Capital of the World.
The competition has grown since its conception, having 10 to 15 entries each year. While walking along the Walmart aisle presents gingerbread house kits imitating pop culture scenes like The Office, Friends or even Barbie’s Dreamhouse, the Bandera community takes a route closer to home, representing ranches, farmhouses, ponds and even cows. McComb said some of his favorite displays over the years have been iconic Bandera locations, including the Bandera County courthouse, the Bandera Kronkosky Library, and even did the Bandera General Store.
This isn’t the only Christmas competition bringing out the competitive side of Bandera this holiday season. Being no stranger to competition, the Bandera General Store also hosted a Children’s Christmas Art Contest earlier this month. More than 42 children, ranging from ages 3 to 13, entered the contest. The only limitation was that each entry be a 16x20-inch sized piece, and that it be a Christmas-related scene/theme. Entries ranged from a Christmas tree constructed from egg cartons to a drawing of Santa himself at the General Store. The winners of the contest were announced Dec. 3, with those coming in first place taking home a $75 gift card.
McComb spoke fondly of the contests being something special for the Bandera community, stating how Bandera can be very geared towards the tourists at times.
“[We try to] do things that bring locals more excitement and fun to get into the holiday spirit,” McComb said.
To submit an entry for the Gingerbread House contest, take it to the Bandera General Store at 306 Main Street, Bandera.
On Friday, Dec. 15, the Bandera General Store will host its 5th annual Gingerbread House Contest. The contest will be judged by the Bandera Cowgirls on Dec. 16, at noon, based on appearance, creativity and difficulty level. The only restrictions are entries must be on a wooden or cardboard base no larger than 18x18 inches, and they must be homemade. There is also no age limit for the contest; it’s open to children and adults alike. Winners will not only walk away with bragging rights, but cash prizes are offered for first through third place entries.
Glen McComb has owned the Bandera General Store with his wife Marcia for 11 years. McComb said he came up with the idea for the contest while watching the Hallmark channel several years ago.
Instead of aspiring to recreate one of Hallmark’s cheesy (yet lovable) cozy holiday movies, McComb wanted to recreate the magic of Hallmark’s Gingerbread House competition in the Cowboy Capital of the World.
The competition has grown since its conception, having 10 to 15 entries each year. While walking along the Walmart aisle presents gingerbread house kits imitating pop culture scenes like The Office, Friends or even Barbie’s Dreamhouse, the Bandera community takes a route closer to home, representing ranches, farmhouses, ponds and even cows. McComb said some of his favorite displays over the years have been iconic Bandera locations, including the Bandera County courthouse, the Bandera Kronkosky Library, and even did the Bandera General Store.
This isn’t the only Christmas competition bringing out the competitive side of Bandera this holiday season. Being no stranger to competition, the Bandera General Store also hosted a Children’s Christmas Art Contest earlier this month. More than 42 children, ranging from ages 3 to 13, entered the contest. The only limitation was that each entry be a 16x20-inch sized piece, and that it be a Christmas-related scene/theme. Entries ranged from a Christmas tree constructed from egg cartons to a drawing of Santa himself at the General Store. The winners of the contest were announced Dec. 3, with those coming in first place taking home a $75 gift card.
McComb spoke fondly of the contests being something special for the Bandera community, stating how Bandera can be very geared towards the tourists at times.
“[We try to] do things that bring locals more excitement and fun to get into the holiday spirit,” McComb said.
To submit an entry for the Gingerbread House contest, take it to the Bandera General Store at 306 Main Street, Bandera.