Gingerbread Wonderland

So a few years back, around Christmas time, I saw a gingerbread-house-kit up at the farm (where Jake grew up.) I casually mentioned that I think gingerbread men are SO cute and that all the peppermint candies and gumdrops make me feel like a kid during the holidays.

Well, that Vickie ("you sneeeaky Mom!") overheard the comment and has been quick to spoil me with gingerbread decorations for my home ever since! She finds the cutest things and every time I receive one of these sweet little gifts, I really do feel  like a spoiled little kid!

So this year, as I pulled out all the Christmas decorations, I decided that I had enough to create a whole gingerbread wonderland in my front room. Here are a my top three favorites:

Number one: This adorable gingerbread boy and girl that she picked up in Disney World! It is so funny, because I would never ever think to buy something like this for myself, but I guess that's why they made such a great present! I wish the picture showed more of the detail of their clothes, hair, and little faces. Their little house on Candy Cane Lane, bought separately, is also an advent calendar - Just makes me happy inside :)

Number Two: This banner is about as tall as I am, and is thick, hand painted canvas. I just love the texture and how it makes the room feel like home - and it implies that I make cookies all the time, which I do!

 Number Three: This set of ornaments is also really textured and cookie-licious! They are bright and happy and perfect for our little family - soon to be three!

Some of the other things that I haven't pictured: Salt and Pepper shakers, oven mits and hot pads, Dish cloths, placemats, throw blanket, pillows, plug in night light, and a candle cover that is shaped like a gingerbread house and the smoke comes out the chimney!

My own Mommy caught onto this little trend and sent me a very sentimental item from my childhood:

A good friend of the family made it for her years ago, and I have always loved it. It has a sense of wonder about it, and let's not forget that my mind connects it with CANDY! nom nom nom. I filled it with cookies right away and love seeing it on our kitchen table.

Anyway, there is a little background on my gingerbread obsession and how it came to be. When you walk into our house, it's a little overwhelming - but it's that whimsical kind of notion that you just stepped into the North Pole candy kitchen or something.

So in order to stick with the unavoidable theme, I decided to make our Christmas Tree match! I got a really great recipe for gingerbread cookies from a good friend of ours (Thanks Amanda!) and made my own ornaments! Go me!

 They were a little bit tricky, but not too shabby for a first try. They make that room smell Delightful!

With just a little red string, they hang on the tree nicely. This is the artificial tree we have by the window (minus the mini candy canes I recently added):

I have recently discovered the ribbon look, rather than using tinsel and we love it. (Although, there is something to be said for that stuff - It's an "old school" look like the trees I had growing up: with tinsel, multi colored lights, snow spray, wonderfully mismatchy ornaments, and those little foil icicles everywhere! I think I have too much of a symmetrical sense about me now that won't allow me to create such a memory-filled masterpiece.) Anyway, our tree has been basically the same every year since we have been married, blue and silver stuff that we bought our first year, and this is the new look for 2011.

Also, I cannot bare to let you believe that we have only a FAKE tree in our house. That would be a disgrace! Okay, to each their own, but I really die a little inside if I don't get a REAL tree. I don't make Jake take me out to cut one, and I always get the smallest cheapest one I can find, and try not to spend money on decorations for it --- but I MUST have that pine scent lingering in my nostrils. haha 

 So here it is. My pride and joy. Got a great deal, and love it immensely!

I went with the rustic look and found some rusty jingle bells, etc to use as ornaments. I spent a LONG couple of days stringing popcorn and berries, but they look so awesome! I also had some rafia in a bag that I used to tie some bows, and  had some left over gingerbread cookies to use as well.

I didn't have a tree topper, but I did have some red and white checkered dishcloths that I cut up and used to sew this star! Yay, I actually sewed something. It's not really a skill I possess, but I have been using my grandmothers sewing machine a little and have made a few basic projects. This little pillow is a bit skiddy-wampus, but it adds to the whole "homemade" look, right? Ah, well, I love it.

I guess that's why I love blogs. As long as I love it, I get to post about it.

And while I am on the topic of things I love, how about the Nativity and the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. The centerpiece of my "wonderland" and hopefully the center of our Christmas celebration:

 More of my thoughts on the Nativity will be published on my "other" blog.

I hope you all feel the JOY of preparing for Christmas and none of the stressful chaos in the coming weeks! Remember, it's a time for sparkly eyes and wonderlands - not for budgets and deadlines.