Meet Joy, the Gingerbread Girl for Your Front Yard

For years, I walked through my neighborhood at Christmas and saw the same scene on repeat: white reindeer, plastic inflatables, a tangle of chepa plastic molds, and not much that felt personal or magical.

It was big. It was bright. But it did not feel like us.

Inside my house, I was reading stories to my girls, talking about kindness and creativity and what makes the holidays meaningful. Outside, my yard looked like everyone else’s. I wanted something that felt more like our family: playful, imaginative, and a little bit storybook.

That is where Joy came in.

Original JOY mood board

Joy started as a fun, whimsical moodboard of a gingerbread girl who was not just “background decor.” I imagined her as curious and creative, someone who is a leader amongst her friend group and loves the holidays.

I did not want her to be perfect or polished. I wanted her to feel alive, like someone a child could point to and say, “She is my favorite. She loves to create and dream up new ideas.”

We went through many creative explorations and the second I saw her, an entire world bloomed in my imagination.

She instantly became a fully developed personality, complete with her friends Chip and Sprinkle.

I spent more time writing about her as a character and the world of Sparkle Hollow formed around her, while we were going through prototypes of her physical design.

I didn’t exactly set out to write about a magical holiday world, but she became a way to create something even more magical.

When I decided to create outdoor decor for Merry Sparkles, I knew what I did not want:

Not flimsy.
Not “only lasts one season.”
Not something that goes to the curb when trends change.

I wanted one truly special piece families could bring out year after year, the way you look forward to unpacking that one favorite ornament or heirloom.

That is why our Merry Sparkles outdoor decor featuring iconic gingerbread shape is:

• Designed to reflect families
  Each family member can have their own combination: Crowns, jerseys, outfits, and other details you can switch out so Joy’s look can change with your mood or the moment.

• Made from galvanized steel
  Built to last from season to season. Accessories are magnetic for easy mix and match styling.

• Easy to store
  Each decor can be flat-packed for easy storage from year to year.

The idea is simple. Instead of buying something new every year, you have one heirloom piece, with a character you know and love, that you can reinvent.

10 accessories to choose from. Be a holiday mermaid or a Santa sports fan or classic holiday cheer!

My favorite part of this design is the magnets. They are not just cute add ons. They are an invitation.

Kids can help choose Joy’s look for the week. Families can swap accessories for cozy, sporty, dressy, or silly themes. One day she might wear a crown, another day a scarf and skates.

Joy becomes part of your family’s story: the backdrop for first-day-of-December photos, the “welcome” at the front door, the character your kids say goodnight to on the way inside. And unlike inflatables, she looks just as charming in the daytime as she does at night.

A very cute creator and her masterpiece

In Sparkle Hollow, I write a lot about listening to your own ideas and celebrating creativity. I wanted this decor to do the same.

You will not find this piece in a big box store. I imagined, sketched, and refined Joy as a Christmas-obsessed mom and female founder who was tired of flimsy, forgettable decor. I wanted something story driven and kid approved that could help families reach for more than cheap, dreadful plastic.

If you have been craving outdoor decor that feels different, this is it. One heirloom gingerbread girl. Real materials. A whole lot of imagination built in.

You can explore the Merry Sparkles outdoor collection here:

👉 30 Inch Gingerbread
👉 24 Inch Gingerbread

My hope is that when your kids see her in the yard, they do not just say, “That is cute,” and walk past. I hope she becomes a daily reminder that your home is a place where ideas matter and creativity is welcome.

So when you walk back inside at the end of the day and catch a glimpse of her out the window, let her quietly ask the question at the heart of Sparkle Hollow:

What did you create today?

With holiday magic and a lot of gratitude,

Christi McCorkle