From DIY paper models of London’s skyline and ornaments that celebrate Girard’s legacy to a Phaidon book that visually explores the history of Christmas and a pop-up exhibit in NYC made of gingerbread — here is how designers and brands reimagined classic holiday stories this year.
By Meenakshi Thirukode
3 Jan 2024
The Gingerbread City exhibition at Seaport, New York City, by the Museum of Architecture|Image by Leandro Justen; Courtesy of Gingerbread City NYC
This was the season to think outside the box! As 2023 drew to a close with holiday cheer, designers and brands revived timeless stories in fresh and exciting ways, presenting classic seasonal objects in new, unconventional avatars. Here are five creative standouts that inspired us and made the last month unforgettable.
The GingerBread City Exhibition by Museum of Architecture
We begin with the highlight of the season — the American launch of the annual
Gingerbread City exhibit by the UK-based Museum of Architecture. On view through
January 7, 2024, in the historic Seaport district in New York City, the exhibit presents a fantastical city with houses, train stations, bridges, airports, museums, parks and more — all created out of gingerbread, candy, and frosting.
Gingerbread City isn’t, however, just a visual treat; it’s an invitation to reflect on how our world will deal with climate change. The models, baked by fifty local architects and designers (including Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Rockwell Group, MeierPartners and New York City Housing Authority) respond to the theme “Water in Cities”, presenting ideas and solutions on how we can design and build water-sensitive cities.
The Gingerbread City exhibition at Seaport, New York City, by the Museum of Architecture|Image by Leandro Justen; Courtesy of Gingerbread City NYC
Model London Series by Open City
The London-based charity Open City’s online Christmas shop, which offers everything from cards, and maps to socks and bags, is a design lover’s paradise. Our selection this year is an exquisite series of card model buildings, which promises a delightful making experience within the confines of your creative sanctuary.
Model London series of card buildings by Open City|Image Courtesy of Open City
The collection includes paper models of St Paul's Cathedral, Ernö Goldfinger's Trellick
Tower, the Hoover Building, HM Treasury and more iconic structures that not only define London’s skyline but also offer a glimpse into how the city came to be. The miniature models come flat in post and need to be assembled through cutting and pasting — recommended for someone who loves architecture and craftsmanship.
Tape Measure Ornament by Anthropologie
From the macrocosm of cityscapes, we zoom into the world of small objects that inspire holiday cheer and nostalgia. An online exclusive, this now-sold-out Tape Measure Christmas tree ornament by global lifestyle retailer Anthropologie was a nerdy twist to the plot and made us chuckle. It is made of glass and features bright gold accents, making it a definite eye catcher. Perfect for a friend who appreciates the accuracy that goes into making and building.
Tape Measure Ornament by Anthropologie|Image Courtesy of Anthropologie
Girard Ornaments by Vitra
Alexandre Girard was one of the leading names in the American post-war design
landscape, hugely admired for his work in textile design for Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson. This series of ornaments, conceptualized by Swiss furniture company Vitra in collaboration with the Girard family, immortalizes select motifs from his extensive oeuvre of drawings, images and prototypes.
Girard Ornaments by Vitra|Image Courtesy of Vitra
Iconic symbols, including a heart, sun, moon, dove, and mouse, manufactured from metal with a polished brass effect, become elegant festive, decorative pendants — transforming holiday décor into a celebration of timeless design.
The Christmas Book by Phaidon
This beautiful hardback book from Phaidon, one of the leading global publishers of art,
architecture and design books, tells stories old and new through a visual celebration of
Christmas, from its religious beginnings to a variety of contemporary festive traditions and cultural touchstones.
The Christmas Book by Phaidon |Image Courtesy of Phaidon
The unique exploration unfolds through a collection of 200+ rich and evocative images, paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics and more, featuring a diverse range of both lesser- known and iconic artists, including Sandro Botticelli, Grandma Moses, Beatrix Potter, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol — making this book an unparalleled cultural companion to the festive season.
