DIY Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings

Elevate your holiday dining experience with homemade gingerbread cookie napkin rings that bring both charm and elegance to any meal. With just a simple ribbon and a sprinkle of creativity, these napkin rings become a delightful detail that complements your Christmas and holiday tablescapes. 

A few days ago I shared this cute Handmade Gingerbread Cookie Garland. It was so fun and easy to make. When I was finished, I had some leftover cookies and ribbon so I decided to create some napkin rings. I wasn’t sure it would work, but they turned out so sweet and something you need to try! 

With the cookies already made and the ribbon on hand, this project couldn’t have been easier. I didn’t intend to write a full blog post about this, but they turned out so darn cute I just couldn’t help myself. 

So, if you’re making my gingerbread cookie recipe or any of my gingerbread decor ideas, reserve a few extra cookies so you can whip up some of these Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings. You’ll be glad you did. 

Why You’ll Enjoy This Festive Project

• These Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings are more than just functional; they’re a conversation starter, adding a distinctive and personal charm to your holiday table setting.
• With straightforward steps, this project is accessible to all skill levels, resulting in an impressive addition to your decor that looks like it took much more effort than it did. Who doesn’t love that?
• Not only do these napkin rings spice up your dinner presentation, but they also serve as personalized take-home gifts for your guests, doubling the delight of your festive gathering. Your guests can use them at home as ornaments or even a little decoration on a gift. 

By combining functionality, simplicity, sustainability, and versatility, these Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings capture the essence of a well-loved handmade holiday project. Ready to make some with me? Let’s do it! 

Materials 

Before we dive into crafting these Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings, let’s gather all the ingredients and tools you’ll need. 

• Gingerbread dough: This is my go-to recipe for gingerbread decor. It’s the perfect balance of spice and sweetness ready to be rolled and cut into whatever shapes you like. You’ll need all of the ingredients and tools required to make and bake the dough. 
• Cookie cutters in festive shapes: I used a gingerbread person, star, heart, and tree, but you can use whatever shape(s) you like. 
• A straw (for making holes): Any straw will work here. I used a metal one. I also recommend having a toothpick or skewer handy as the straw will eventually fill with dough and you’ll need something to unclog it. 
• 5/8-inch ribbon: This seems to be the perfect size to hold your cookies in place. Choose a color and pattern that complements your holiday decor. 
• Sharp scissors: Necessary for a nice clean cut in your ribbon.

Quick note: Even though I used my regular gingerbread recipe, some of the cookies are darker than others. To achieve the dark cookies, I just added some cocoa powder to my gingerbread cookie recipe. In addition, I used this recipe to create the vanilla snap cookies.  Don’t feel pressured to make all three. One standard gingerbread dough is perfect! 

How To Make

I’m going to walk you through the basic assembly steps for these festive handmade napkin rings below. I’ve also provided a materials list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Preheat your oven according to your gingerbread recipe’s instructions. (I recommend my gingerbread cookie recipe.) Roll out your gingerbread dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness for the perfect balance of durability and taste. Use your chosen cookie cutters to cut out the festive shapes. Feel free to get creative with stars, trees, hearts, or even classic gingerbread men!
2. With each shape on the baking sheet (and before baking), use a straw to punch out two holes in the middle of each cookie. Make sure they’re centered and spaced well enough to hold the ribbon later. 
3. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake according to your recipe. 
4. Once the cookies are baked, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They should be completely cool before proceeding to the next step.

1. Cut an 8 to 10-inch piece of ribbon. Cut each end to a point. Push each end through one of the holes in the cookie from the back to the front, creating a loop on the backside for the napkin and leaving two ribbon tails in the front.
2. For napkin insertion, roll up the napkin into a tube shape or gather it by pinching the center to pull all corners together at one end. Slip the napkin through the loop at the back of the cookie.

1. Tighten the loop by pulling on the ribbon tails and then tie the tails into a bow at the front of the cookie to secure the napkin ring.

And that’s it! You have the most adorable, charming, and festive napkin ring. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How thick should the gingerbread cookies be to ensure they won’t break when used as napkin rings?

Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness. This provides enough sturdiness to hold the shape without breaking easily when handling.

Can I make the napkin ring cookies in advance? How should I store them?

Yes, you can make the cookies in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need them to be firmer, you can bake them a little longer than you would for eating.

Can the cookies still be eaten after being used as napkin rings?

Yes, they can be eaten as long as they haven’t been handled too much and are still fresh. However, if they’ve been on display for a while or have come into contact with non-food-safe materials, it’s best not to consume them.

How tight should the loop be around the napkin?

The loop should be snug enough to hold the napkin in place without sliding off, but not so tight that it crushes the napkin or is difficult to remove.

More Handmade Decor You’ll Love

• Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Bags
• Paper Star Garland
• Clay Mushroom Christmas Ornaments
• Framed Vintage Christmas Card Ornaments
• Marshmallow Wreath
• Traditional Popcorn Garland

And there you have it! A pinch of creativity, a dash of holiday spirit, and a smattering of gingerbread sweetness have brought us to the end of this deliciously fun DIY. I hope you’ll give these Gingerbread Napkins Rings a try! If you do and love the project, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest.

Gingerbread Cookie Napkin Rings

Elevate your holiday dining experience with homemade gingerbread cookie napkin rings that bring both charm and elegance to any meal. With just a simple ribbon and a sprinkle of creativity, these napkin rings become a delightful detail that complements your Christmas and holiday tablescapes. 

Print Pin Rate

Course: Home Decor Craft

Keyword: christmas, christmas garland, gingerbread

Ingredients

• Gingerbread dough (includes ingredients and materials to make and bake)
• Cookie cutters in festive shapes
• A straw for making holes
• 5/8- inch ribbon
• Sharp scissors

Instructions

• Preheat your oven according to your gingerbread recipe’s instructions. Roll out your gingerbread dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness for the perfect balance of durability and taste. Use your chosen cookie cutters to cut out the festive shapes. Feel free to get creative with stars, trees, hearts, or even classic gingerbread men!
• With each shape on the baking sheet (and before baking), use a straw to punch out two holes in the middle of each cookie. Make sure they’re centered and spaced well enough to hold the ribbon later.
• Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake according to your recipe.
• Once the cookies are baked, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They should be completely cool before proceeding to the next step.
• Cut an 8 to 10-inch piece of ribbon. Cut each end to a point. Push each end through one of the holes in the cookie from the back to the front, creating a loop on the backside for the napkin and leaving two ribbon tails in the front.
• For napkin insertion, roll up the napkin into a tube shape or gather it by pinching the center to pull all corners together at one end. Slip the napkin through the loop at the back of the cookie.
• Tighten the loop by pulling on the ribbon tails and then tie the tails into a bow at the front of the cookie to secure the napkin ring.

Notes

I recommend you using my gingerbread cookie recipe.