Just when you might think I’m done decorating the kitchen for Christmas, there is more!  If you missed any of them, you can see my previous posts about decorating the kitchen here… Christmas Kitchen Wreath, Christmas Kitchen Window, More of the Christmas Kitchen.  I know the white shelves are a sticking point for some, but I felt like they were begging for greenery, candles, and “gingerbread houses.”

For the sprigs of greenery, I used parts of a Norfolk pine garland.  I pulled one of the garlands apart and it makes these perfect, very realistic-looking branches to place over picture frames or shelves.  I just checked to link the garland and there are a few more back in stock!  Pine garlands, wreaths, and branches are all available, but in limited quantities.  You can check them out HERE.

I then added some of my new favorite real wax in little ironstone pots.  I think they are French yogurt pots, perhaps?  I used the little trick I shared to get them to stand up.

And I made some cinnamon salt dough ” gingerbread houses.”  You can find the recipe and tips for making them HERE.  I am still surprised at how realistic they look!  I made some a couple of years ago, but I gave them away before I moved because I didn’t know how they would handle the heat of the moving container.  It just seemed like a silly thing to move.  I didn’t get around to making replacements last year, but I wanted to make time for it this year.  Since they are made of salt dough, glue, and paint, they will last for several years.  I can make more the years I feel like it and eventually have a little village.

I left everything else the same.  The addition of those three elements was just enough and I love how it all works with the copper and ironstone.

I usually put my little houses on wood slices, but I didn’t have any on hand this year.  I’ll pick up some next time I’m at the craft store.  Until then, I used ironstone berry bowls and butter pats or just placed them directly on the shelf.

I just love how the kitchen looks all dressed for Christmas.

You can find more details on the wreath above the range HERE and a tutorial on making an orange slice garland HERE.

Just around the corner from the shelves is our Christmas tree.  We had considered moving it to a different spot in the living room this year, but we loved that we could see it from the kitchen in this spot.  We decided to keep it in this corner for that reason.  I’ll share a good look at this year’s tree tomorrow…