Are you team gingerbread? Gingerbread decor has been trending for Christmas the last couple of years and these faux tile gingerbread men are a great DIY. They are easy to make, very inexpensive and incredibly fabulous! There’s nothing better than creating your own seasonal decor.
I’m totally team gingerbread, and these faux tile gingerbread men hit all the festive notes in my book. This DIY decor has a vintage twist on a trend forward motif. Creating your own seasonal decor allows customization to your own personal style.
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Inspiration for the Faux Tile Gingerbread Men DIY
Did you know Dollar Tree has faux peel and stick tiles? They are fabulous for creating all sorts of crafts and there’s a few Christmas crafts scheduled with these fabulous tiles. The tin tile look always calls my name, and I would love a tin tile ceiling kitchen.
I have a Christmas tree project scheduled using these tiles, but then I saw the wood gingerbread men forms at the Dollar Tree and it clicked! The tiles and gingerbread men are a marriage made in heaven, mixing and mingling traditional and vintage feels. Although, I am looking forward to creating my tin Christmas tree, these Gingerbread men might just steal the show.
I am totally crushing on the gingerbread motif, but don’t want to spend a fortune. This is a great way to delight in the trend without breaking the bank. Come on in and let’s get busy crafting.
How to Create Faux Tile Gingerbread Men
These are super cute and fairly simple to make. You could use these in so many ways. I’ve been brainstorming how to incorporate them into my Christmas decor this year.
Supplies
- Faux Tiles
- Wooden Gingerbread Forms
- Warm Caramel Satin Spray Paint
- Glue
- Ivory Buttons
- Ivory Velvet Crushed Ribbon
Tools
- Scissors
- Sharpie Pen
- Craft Sanding Block
- Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue Sticks
- Silicone Finger Protectors
Crafting Pro Tip: As I recommend with all my projects, read all the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.
Instructions
- Read instructions thoroughly and assemble all supplies & tools
- Remove all tags and stickers from supplies, including jute twine hanger
- Plug in glue gun to warm up
- Lay gingerbread man form on tile and use sharpie to draw outline on tile backing
- Using scissors cut out form from tile
- Repeat process for each gingerbread man
- Using glue on edge of wood form and hot glue on back of tile form adhere the tile to the back of wooden gingerbread man
- Set aside and let glue cure and secure bond
- Once glue is dry, paint front and back of gingerbread form with spray paint
- Let paint dry thoroughly
- Once paint is dry sand tile lightly to distress slightly
- Hot glue bow around neck using ivory velvet ribbon
- Hot glue buttons to body
- Voila! Enjoy your faux tile gingerbread man decor
Tips & Tricks for Making the Faux Tile Gingerbread Men
Always be Prepared to Pivot
Ok, we’ve all heard the term, “best laid plans”. I had planned to remove all the decorative accents from the wooden gingerbread men forms like the buttons, bow & cuffs, attaching the tile on the front side. This would leave the back plain with the spray paint color. Well… the little wooden accents proved to be harder to remove than anticipated. Kudos to Dollar Tree for having such a sturdy product for $1.25.
So instead of spending too much time and effort on what was suppose to be a fast and easy project, I pivoted. Instead of removing the accents, I made the fronts the back, spraying over all the decor. The backs became the front with the applied tile. The first one is the opposite since it was my guinea pig as I started the project this way. I actually like that they are all slightly different.
Two-Faced
I want to use my pieces as decor accents and not necessarily as ornaments, but they can totally be used as hangers. They can not only hang on a tree, but also on a wreath or swag or even on a garland. The wood form has a predrilled hole which you can simply poke the tile where the hole is and thread ribbon, twine or whatever you prefer to hang the decor.
I wanted the pieces spray painted on both sides so if the gingerbread men are hung, and the back is visible they look finished. The warm caramel color Rustoleum paint in the satin finish is perfect for gingerbread crafts. I used it for this project last year {faux gingerbread houses DIY idea}. There’s also an acrylic paint option in the shopping section if you prefer to brush your paint on rather than spray. I have not tested the color personally, but it looks pretty accurate.
Faux Tile Advice
Also once you cut onto the faux tile piece the sticky peel and stick backing falls off so that’s why you have to glue the piece down with adhesive. I used the hot glue gun and clear school glue to assure there was a secure bond and all the edges would stay down.
There will be scraps left over from the faux tiles. Save these pieces for additional projects. I have a couple of ideas on how to use mine, and you know I will share them here with you soon.
It’s In the Details
For the bow I wrapped a piece of ribbon fully around the neck overlapping it in the front. I then attached a rustic bow on top, hiding where the ribbon overlaps. You could also tie a traditional bow, for a more formal look. I prefer a rustic appearance, which is my personal preference. Please dress up your guys as you wish and how it compliments your decor.
Also for the buttons, I only had 5 matching buttons in my stash so I opted to just mix and match the styles rather than buy new matching sets. I also considered using pearl halves as buttons to add lux with the velvet ribbon against the rustic tile, but ultimately decided on the traditional buttons.
Help! What Do You Think?
So I like the look of the velvet ribbon bow tie and the buttons, but, but… do I add cuffs? The DT forms included cuff accents around the wrists and ankles and I’m debating if I add that detail to mine. This is the ribbon I would use. What do you think? Let me know what you think down below in the comments. I’m torn. Part of me thinks less is more, but I also like the Pom Pom ribbon…
Closing Thoughts
The gingerbread trend totally has my number, and I have a few more gingerbread inspired projects for the season. I’m looking forward to sharing them with you, and I hope it inspires you to create your own decor.
Public Service Announcement: There’s only a little over eight weeks left until Christmas. Creating crafts now allows for less stress in December and more time to be present and enjoy the festivities at the time. Join me as we craft our way into the holiday season. Thanks for being her, I appreciate every single one of you.
Get the Gingerbread Men Decor Look
- Unfinished Wood Gingerbread Man Form
- Faux Tin Tiles
- Hot Glue Gun
- Glue Gun Glue Sticks
- Silicone Finger Protectors
- Elmer’s Clear School Glue
- Warm Caramel Satin Spray Paint
- Classic Caramel Acrylic Paint
- Craft Sanding Blocks
- Ivory Velvet Crushed Ribbon
- Mother of Pearl Assorted Buttons
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