A Gingerbread Forest Christmas Theme
Step inside my gingerbread forest Christmas decor with snowy pine, copper accents, gingerbread houses, and Black Watch plaid!
The sweet spicy smell of ginger, cinnamon, and clove perfumes the air. Whipped frosting waits in a bowl. Ahhh...gingerbread cookies are baking in the oven and Christmas time is here!
Gingerbread is one of those quintessential holiday treats that just fills your heart and belly with joy. From the wonderful aroma to the festive cookie cutters, it is a warm and cozy winter pleasure. The perfect inspiration for holiday decor!
Welcome to my dining room where frosted branches drape, copper shines, snowflakes dance, and merry gingerbread houses perch...all tied up with a Black Watch plaid bow!
Welcome to my gingerbread forest Christmas theme!
Inspired by fairytales and frosted gingerbread, this holiday look is an elegant approach to a classic Christmas treat accented with Black Watch plaid, sumptuous velvets, and traditional evergreens. If you want to decorate with traditional Christmas decor but add a twist and love blue and green, this look is for you!
As I was dreaming up this year's Christmas decor themes, I kept returning to my fond childhood memories of the gingerbread house competition at the Grove Park Inn. It is such a wonderful Asheville Christmas tradition that showcases some amazing artistry and baking skill every December. We would all get dressed up and tour the gingerbread creations at the Inn then enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and sit by the big fires in the lobby.
I knew I wanted to channel the rustic elegance of the Grove Park and play on the warmth and nostalgia of the gingerbread. I shopped around for gingerbread decor and mostly found very cutesy, kitschy decorations, but I wanted to take the theme in a more stylish, subtle direction. After reading more about the history of gingerbread and related fairytales, I decided on a forest element that mixed blues and greens with coppery hues.
Let's take a closer look...
My Gingerbread Forest Christmas Tree
I'm just so proud of this Christmas tree y'all! I think I really captured the rustic elegance of a fairytale gingerbread village nestled in the forested mountains far far away! What do you think?
This heavily flocked pine tree was a wonderful base to work with, and it already had white lights with a mix of pinecones attached. From there I added bows of Black Watch plaid and white velvet scroll ribbons with swooping tails. My methods for adding ribbon to a Christmas tree are shared in my Holiday Ribbon Guide.
Then I strategically hung 6 copper lanterns around the tree. You might remember these from my fall tablescape and mantel!
Next on the tree went pretty white magnolia blooms, gold berries, and these glittered swooping fern like branches. For ornaments, I used these gorgeous copper vine baubles, gingerbread house treat boxes (actually an advent calendar more on that below), and copper cookie cutters. Aren't they all charming together?
Additional tree sources: Green velvet ribbon 1.5" | White velvet gold scroll 2.5" is used on my tree email me at katherine@penderandpeony.com to special order 4" available here | Glass ball ornaments in green and blue | Similar Iced branches | Blue velvet ribbon 3/4"
Shop the Tree:
Gingerbread Houses on the Hutch
Over on the hutch, I continued the gingerbread forest theme with these darling paper gingerbread houses. They are actually little treat boxes that you can fill with candy or cookies and then use as an advent calendar. The set includes 25 houses and comes with number stickers. I thought this was just the cutest idea for an advent calendar, and I can't wait to do it with James when he is older. For now I'll use them as decor and ornaments, but you could also use them as little gift boxes.
To finish styling the shelves, I used vintage copper pots filled with cedar branches and nestled pine cones and paper snowflakes around. On top of the hutch is one of my fabulous swags in the gingerbread forest style. To it I added green velvet ribbon, Black Watch plaid, big gold ornaments, and a magnolia bloom.
I do have a few full size garlands left in this style if you would like to custom order one of my kits. Head here to customize your garland with ribbon and florals. Or if you would like to purchase a swag they are available in the shop. You can hang the swags from bookshelves, above doorways, off bar carts, or lay them flat on a table for a centerpiece (see below)!
Shop the Hutch:
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Gingerbread Forest Swag
Price range: $63.00 through $83.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Gingerbread House Box Set
$13.50 Read more - Sale!
Gingerbread Paper Snowflake, Set of 5
Original price was: $24.99.$15.00Current price is: $15.00. Read more -
White Velvety Magnolia Blooms
$10.00 Read more
More Gingerbread Forest Christmas Decor
To complete my dining room transition to gingerbread forest, I hung this darling felt gingerbread house garland on the mirror and strung up these paper snowflakes from the chandelier and windows. I love how the snowflakes mimic gingerbread cookies with swirling white icing! Aren't they lovely?
A whole post on this Christmas tablescape is coming, but in the meantime I wanted you to see how versatile the gingerbread forest swag could be. I laid it down flat as the table centerpiece and added a fun bow with streamers in the Black Watch plaid and white velvet scroll ribbons. You can nestle candles between the branches and even add flowers or ornaments to it.
Over on the bar, I styled a big vintage brass tray with our favorite whiskeys and these sweet woodland napkins. Behind the tray are gorgeous gingerbread trees.
Shop this Decor:
- Sale!
Blue and White Pagoda Needlepoint Stocking
Original price was: $59.00.$45.00Current price is: $45.00. Read more - Sale!
Felt Gingerbread House Garland
Original price was: $15.00.$10.50Current price is: $10.50. Add to cart -
Frosted Gingerbread Trees, Set of 2
$47.00 Read more - Sale!
Gingerbread Paper Snowflake, Set of 5
Original price was: $24.99.$15.00Current price is: $15.00. Read more -
Woodland Toile Napkins
$8.00 Read more
Thank you for stopping in to explore my gingerbread forest Christmas themed dining room! I hope you feel inspired by my decorations and excited to create festive magic in your home.
If you need some help decorating with ribbon, don't miss my video guide available here:
Absolutely GORGEOUS!
Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!