A Pause After Christmas — With Gratitude

As another Christmas season comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates, say thank you, and explain what the next couple of weeks will look like here at Gingerbread World.

First, a practical note: our shipping department is closed from December 24 to January 12. You are very welcome to continue shopping and placing orders during this time, but please note that orders will not ship until January 13, when we return refreshed and ready to pack once again.

This pause gives us space to reflect on what has been a memorable—and at times challenging—season.

This year brought with it some very real obstacles. We navigated a second Canada Post strike in just two years, faced the ongoing pressure of a weak Canadian dollar that makes sourcing from Europe increasingly expensive, and experienced the complete loss of our American business. None of these things were easy, and there were moments when the road ahead felt uncertain.

What carried us through was you.

We are continually humbled by the encouragement, patience, and grace shown by our customers. We received so many emails from people who took the time to let us know that their package arrived safely, that an ornament was even more beautiful in person, or that a tin of Lebkuchen became part of a cherished family gathering. These messages mean more than you can imagine.

We are also grateful for thoughtful, constructive feedback. When customers point out where we can do better, we listen—and it truly helps us grow into a stronger, more thoughtful company.

And yes, sometimes mistakes happen. When you ship thousands of parcels in a short window, occasionally a box goes to the wrong person. This year—for a second time!!—the “wrong customer” went above and beyond, heroically ensuring the package made its way to the correct recipient. These small acts of kindness restore our faith daily.

We were also incredibly fortunate to work with outstanding delivery drivers this season. Doug from UPS and Tyler from Canada Post provided exceptional service, care, and reliability, helping things run as smoothly as possible during an intense time. It’s a reminder that even in a world of large companies and advanced technology, business still runs on relationships—and there are good people working incredibly hard behind the scenes to make things work.

All in all, it was a demanding year—but we made it through together. Now, we’re looking forward to a well-earned two-week break.

Elizabeth will be spending time with family here in town, while my family and I are heading to Japan—a long-time bucket list trip we’re thrilled to finally take. We’re excited to explore, slow down, and simply be together.

Thank you for another season of allowing us to bring uniquely European Christmas to Canada. Your support makes this work possible, meaningful, and deeply rewarding.

We wish you a Christmas season filled with peace, hope, and joy, and all the very best for the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back for our annual January Sale when we return on January 13.

With gratitude,

Tamara