How to Create the Thrilling Magic of Scandinavian Christmas Decorating

Scandinavian ambiance has always attracted me, even back when I was a kid. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a Swedish town that had the most amazing and cozy Swedish gift shop that’s been in busy since 1947! My mother would take me there and buy her Christmas gnomes. One thing I love about Scandinavian Christmas decorating is its simplicity. The use of natural elements and a few ornamental embellishments keep the holidays simple but beautiful. See how to create this special magic in your own home with today’s inspiration.

Let’s start with something simple, like an evergreen branch that looks like a miniature tree tucked in a jar or vase for a sweet and simple centerpiece. Add a couple of sweet bows and a jar of candy canes and you have the epitome of Swedish holiday décor.

Photo by Kootut murut – More home design ideas

 

Or gather a few small evergreen branches from the yard and tuck into a vase and hang simple Swedish-style ornaments from the boughs. 

 

When it comes to holiday color schemes, red and white is an all-time Scandinavian favorite. When you walk into The Gift Box in Geneva, you’ll see it in the Christmas gnomes and Dala horses section. 

 

All that’s needed in a Christmas kitchen is touches of red and white, like a sweet gnome or decorative stocking. Or simply add red and white kitchen towels for an inexpensive festive vibe. 

 

Another color scheme to consider when using Scandinavian Christmas decorating influences is the use of neutrals.  A neutral color scheme in a Swedish living room is complemented with the use of natural evergreens and neutral ornaments. 

 

When choosing a neutral Swedish scheme, consider the Gustavian style, popular in the late 1700s, which infuses a bit of French country into the mix. 

 

Scandinavian Christmas decorating always includes candles as a nod to the Lucia festival which happens on December 13th. The festival is four centuries and commemorates St. Lucy who took food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs. She wore a wreath of candles on her head to light the way in the catacombs. I think it would be fascinating to visit Sweden in December to partake in the festival. Add a Swedish candle bridge to your window for a festive scene that can be viewd from outside your home. 

 

You can’t go wrong by adding plenty of candles and greens at your Christmas table to create a classic Scandinavian Christmas decorating vibe. Anything that exudes hygge, or cozy comfort, is a welcome addition. 

 

An easy and inexpensive way to add elements of Swedish style to your holiday decorations is through the use of paper honeycomb ornaments. They’re growing in popularity and can be found almost anywhere. And a big bonus is they won’t break if they fall on the floor!

 

And by all means, don’t forget about the paper Christmas stars that the Scandinavians have made so popular!

 

You don’t need to go all out to create that hygge vibe in your home for the holidays. Create simple vignettes on your mantel or shelves like a trio of white ceramic houses that hold tea lights, surrounded by greenery.

 

There’s just 12 more days until Christmas. Hard to believe but the holiday always seems to creep up quickly! It’s not to late to add some Scandinavian touches to your home.