This summer, I had a vision. A while back, Mike & I decided to build a custom greenhouse- one of those dreamy, pinch-me projects that felt equal parts practical and romantic. We wanted to grow everything: peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, raspberries… we even planted an apple tree and a peach tree. There was something about watching things grow- about nurturing something with your hands, that brought us immediate and undeniable JOY.

And then, somewhere between watering tomatoes and day dreaming about next summer, it hit me:

What if I turned this greenhouse into something wildly festive for the holidays? Like… totally over-the-top decked out in all things Christmas.

Here was my Inspo:

This year has been hard.  Between my surgeries & my recovery, medications, and unexpected stresses, its been a really, really hard year my friends.  So, If there was ever a time to turn your happy day-dreams into a reality, it was this year. 

I didn’t want subtle. I wanted Christmas magic with all the feels to arrive in a BIG way. I’m a huge Christmas lover, and this year I wanted to bring back my inner child. I wanted to feel that giddy, sparkly, slightly unhinged joy that Christmas used to give me when I was little. 

And that is exactly what we did…we went ALL IN on what we now lovingly call The Gingerbread Project.

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t even sure where to start. This was way outside my wheelhouse. I mean, I can style a bookshelf,or make a table look pretty- but this was next-level. So I did what I always do when I’m stuck: I leaned on social media. I asked you! And through recommendations, we brought in three incredible companies who already work together on events and installations.  

Lindsey Kenworthy from LK Creative and Caitlyn Mortimer from Cait Mortimer Studio, came out one morning in November and they saw the space for the first time.  We brainstormed together and I asked for everything I could imagine, leaving absolutely nothing off the table (must say, Emily my right hand girl may have admittedly thought I was a tad crazy that day!).  They also brought Anthony Chisholm, Founder at DJC productions, with them and he quickly became the voice of reason!  He was able to figure out structurally how to build the vision, without leaving marks on the Greenhouse (Mike’s only request.) 

Lindsay & Caitlyn, the dynamic duo, went back and mocked up a few iterations of the space- one was slightly too childish, one wasn’t colorful enough…until we found the perfect design. They were about to  make my wildest dreams an incredible Christmas reality.

Lindsay, Caitlyn and team came out for 2 freezing cold days at the end of November.  They spent hours constructing the Gingerbread House and all of its many parts.  They were in their zone so I just let them be, sneaking peeks through the window every chance I could get.

Until the final reveal…I cried.  Actually I sobbed.  I thought of my dad who was THE Christmas guy, a real Clark Griswold.  Sometimes grief hits hardest not because of the memories you have but because of the memories you didn’t get to make together.

Standing before me was the most beautiful Christmas vision, like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Inside the twinkle-lit greenhouse, every corner feels like its own little world. There’s a hot chocolate station that feels like pure magic…mugs lined up, glass jar of marshmallows overflowing, candy canes & sprinkles galore.

There is a Santa station where you can write to Santa and his elves and then mail it to the North pole.  Coco has her very own Sugar Plum Fairy Studio, complete with fairy hair, wings, tutus, and press-on nail stickers—equal parts sparkle and imagination. And then there’s Will’s Book Nook: a quiet, cozy corner filled with Christmas stories, faux-fur beanbags, and that soft, peaceful magic that feels completely and perfectly him. To see all the magical elements used to decorate this space, refer to this link!

This space is magical during the day, but even more magical at night. We roll in our portable TV and watch classic holiday movies, curled up in sleeping bags with hot chocolate in hand. One evening, I brought in all my wreath-making supplies and Coco and I crafted for hours without even noticing the time pass. It isn’t fully heated (yet…stay tuned), so we rely on space heaters, which work surprisingly well. 

The Gingerbread Project has quickly become a gathering place for our neighborhood kids, and watching them experience it has been one of the most unexpected joys. I’ll never forget the moment one of Coco’s friends walked through the door, stopped in her tracks, teared up, and whispered, “Your mom is so crazy for doing this.” And honestly? I couldn’t have asked for a better compliment. Because if being “crazy” means creating wonder, making space for imagination, and giving kids a place to feel pure magic- then I’ll happily own that title!

Now, I could tell you I did this for the kids- and I did- but I did it just as much for myself. Did my husband think I was a little wacko? Maybe. Did I spend a small fortune that was definitely not budgeted? Also yes. But I’m calling it an investment, one that we’ll for sure use and love for years to come.

And the truth is, after everything this year held, I needed this. I needed something playful, nostalgic, and completely over-the-top. 

So yes, I went all out.
Yes, it’s a little insane.
And no-I have absolutely zero regrets.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is chase a spark of joy… you never know, it may lead you straight into a Gingerbread-fueled Christmas Wonderland.

To see all the magical elements used to decorate this space, refer to this link!

Wishing you a joy filled Holiday Season.

XO, Kat