Gingerbread Nationals 2025

Yes...gingerbread nationals is a thing.  

If you have visited before or follow me on Instagram, you know I was immersed in the drama and wonderment of nationals a few years ago.  It's serious y'all.  We are called "gingerfriends" and even "ginger-gate" before the big event.  It's amazing on so many levels.  

I went into nationals this year seriously on a whim.  After competing on the show, I wasn't even sure I was going to compete.  But my mini-me wanted to enter in her age group and convinced me to do my own piece.  I was so nervous.  I have only worked with my neighbor Grier or with her and Faith on the show.  I have never really truly done a piece fully on my own.  

So I took a deep breath and went for it.  I found a couple of pictures on Pinterest that I loved so I made an inspiration board of bits found here and there that I wanted to incorporate.  I started in late August after filming the show and finished my piece a few days before we traveled in mid November to Asheville for the competition.

I was proud of my piece.  And I would have truly been happy just making the table.  That means the top 10 in the nation.  But somehow the judges loved my piece and I found myself finishing in second place over some absolutely amazing art pieces.  My piece, titled the "Birch Mouse Burrow", will stay at the Omni Grove Park Inn all year long as a top finisher.