Dreaming of an enchanting and evocative Scandinavian Christmas? You've come to the right place! Welcoming simplicity, warmth, and an intimate atmosphere are the hallmarks of Nordic-style decor, and recreating these atmospheres at home during the Christmas season is easier than you might imagine.
In Northern Europe, winters are cold and long, with few hours of daylight. So, people spend a lot of time indoors. That's why Scandinavian homes are bright, warm, and comfortable: true nests where you can snuggle up!
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And that explains why this decor style lends itself so well to Christmas decorations. A Scandinavian-style Christmas is intimate, magical, and evocative: an atmosphere that makes you daydream.
If you already have a Scandinavian-style home, decorating for a Nordic Christmas will be a breeze. But don't worry: you can do it anytime! In fact, we'll let you in on a secret: if you dream of a Scandinavian home but don't have the time to redecorate, Christmas is a great opportunity to give yourself a "Great North" atmosphere with little effort and expense.
In this guide, you'll discover the characteristics of Scandinavian Christmas and plenty of inspiration for recreating a magical atmosphere in your home!
The essence of Scandinavian Christmas: colors, materials, and the enchantment of hygge
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If Scandinavian Christmas had an identity card, under "distinguishing features" you'd find these three elements:
1) Snow, 2) Woodland atmospheres, 3) Magical lights
It's a time of year when the simplicity and comfort of natural materials blend in a harmony that's good for both body and soul. In short, a Scandinavian-style Christmas is the triumph of the "hygge" philosophy and the care of the home as a place of well-being.
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What are the dominant colors of Scandinavian Christmas? Well, those of nature, of course, but not only! Here are some tips for choosing the perfect color palette to decorate your home for Christmas with a Nordic touch!
- White: the starting point for a Scandinavian Christmas! A bright color that evokes the purity of snow and creates an ideal backdrop for other decorative elements.
- Green: the color of Nordic woods and nature. Fir, pine, and green garlands add a fresh, natural touch to your Nordic-style Christmas.
- Brown: The warmth and natural look of wood are also key features of a Scandinavian Christmas! You can use wooden logs as bases for candles or add carved wooden elements.
- Red: a traditional color, but one that should be used with caution if you want to create a beautiful Scandinavian Christmas setting. Artificial red berries, reminiscent of the winter forest, are the ideal compromise for adding a more classic accent to your Nordic Christmas!
- Gold: perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your space, but use sparingly. Perfect for lights and small, sparkling details.
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And what about materials? Well, in this case too, nature is the star of the Scandinavian Christmas! Here are three tips for decorating your home with a Nordic touch and a wonderful hygge-inspired atmosphere!
- Wood: An essential element in Scandinavian Christmas! You can incorporate it in various ways, such as using wooden logs, decorative trees, or simple furnishings made of raw wood.
- Wool: A warm fabric that adds comfort and warmth! Wool blankets and pillows create a cozy, soft, and absolutely irresistible atmosphere.
- Faux fur: The softness of faux fur adds a touch of luxury without compromising the naturalness of Scandinavian-inspired Christmas decorations. You can use faux fur blankets and pillows for a more Nordic atmosphere.
Finally, even at Christmas, it's not hygge without candlelight. Use plenty of candles, whether real or faux, and you'll have the perfect foundation for the Scandinavian Christmas of your dreams.
How to Decorate a Scandinavian Christmas Tree: Nature and Light!
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We all know that the King of Christmas is the fir tree! So let's find out how to decorate a perfect Scandinavian-style Christmas tree: here are some tips for choosing the most suitable decorations!
- Plenty of Snow: The Nordic style is strongly inspired by winter forest landscapes, so a snow-covered tree is the perfect starting point. You can buy a pre-made one or create the snow effect yourself with a special spray!
- Natural Decorations: In Scandinavian Christmas, everything is a little more wild and natural. Even the tree decorations! Use pine cones, wooden elements, and bark, and why not, add a few woodland animals!
- Transparent Balls and Paper Pendants: Don't want to give up some more classic decorations for your Christmas tree? Choose clear glass balls and fill them with berries, snow-covered twigs, squirrels, and mini deer. Pair them with paper pendants and your Scandinavian Christmas tree will transform into a magical masterpiece!
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- Simplicity and lightness: Remember that too many elaborate elements risk weighing down the Christmas tree. Distribute the more special decorations carefully and use plain (or white) baubles to fill the spaces. Remember that the basic philosophy of Scandinavian style is "less is more," and this also applies to a truly Nordic Christmas!
- Warm white lights: Illuminate your Scandinavian Christmas tree using a thin string of warm white lights hidden among the branches. Arrange them carefully: if possible, don't wrap them roughly around the tree, but carefully twist them around the branches and hide the string among the needles.
- Choose the tree topper according to your taste! You can opt for a tree without any focal point, to maintain a natural look, or find a decoration that suits your style. The beauty of Nordic Christmas lies in its versatility!
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An alternative to the classic Christmas tree? Make a small, minimalist Scandinavian Christmas tree yourself using simple wooden trunks and a few branches. A stylized, charming little tree, perfect for creating a splendid, trendy Nordic atmosphere!
Your Scandinavian-style tree is ready to take center stage in the room, but how do you decorate the rest of your home with the right Nordic-inspired Christmas decorations?
Decorations for a dream Scandinavian Christmas
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And now that we've set up the tree, let's get started on the Christmas decorations!
For a truly Scandinavian Christmas, the secret is to beautify every corner of the house. Don't worry: the effect won't be overwhelming, as these decorations are very simple.
And a simple Christmas tree certainly isn't enough to give your home a makeover: it's better to scatter Nordic Christmas ornaments here and there for a real "wow" effect!
Any ideas? Here's some inspiration for choosing your Scandinavian-style Christmas decorations!
- It's not a Scandinavian Christmas without magical creatures! Transform your home into an enchanted forest with gnomes, reindeer, and woodland animals popping up here and there!
- Create atmosphere with simple yet striking decorative elements like beautiful paper stars! You can hang them from the ceiling or on the stair railing. The lightness of the paper will create a Christmas atmosphere with Nordic charm without weighing down the space!
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- Create dreamy corners with lanterns: you can use them to decorate the entryway at Christmas with a fairytale Scandinavian touch, arrange them at the foot of the sofa, or place them inside the fireplace. Arrange them with candles and fairy lights for a truly magical result.
- Decorate your fireplace with Scandinavian-style Christmas ornaments! Adorn the fireplace with pine festoons, fairy lights, and simple wooden ornaments. Don't forget some stockings to hang and a few small, stylized Christmas trees to place above the mantelpiece!
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- Don't forget your windowsills! Add your favorite Nordic Christmas decorations and they'll transform into enchanting nooks and crannies. For example, arrange a few Christmas houses with fairy lights hidden underneath. The effect will be magical and evocative.
A DIY idea for your Scandinavian Christmas: how to make a Nordic-inspired wreath
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Want to add a touch of creativity to your Christmas decorations? Well, you can have fun making a Christmas wreath in perfect Scandinavian style!
Here's a tutorial for making a DIY Christmas wreath, an easy-to-make creative project that's sure to impress your Scandinavian Christmas!
1) Prepare the base - Start by getting a round wooden base or create your own using a round object of the desired size. Wrap the wire several times around the base until you reach a comfortable thickness. Be sure to secure the wreath with tape or twine to prevent it from unraveling!
2) Add greenery - Completely cover your round base with evergreen branches. Use a hot glue gun to ensure the branches stay securely in place. Let dry completely.
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3) Decorate your wreath - Now comes the fun part! Personalize your wreath with a variety of Scandinavian-style elements. Add pine cones, spray a little snow for a wintery touch, and attach Christmas ornaments and small ornaments for a Nordic feel. You can also add cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and star anise for a fragrant and charming touch.
4) Hang your creation - Once your wreath is complete, find the perfect place to hang it. It could be on a door or above a console table to embellish the entryway, or you can use it to complete your fireplace decoration for Christmas.
Your DIY Scandinavian Christmas wreath is ready! And now get ready to say, "Yes, I swear, I made it!"
Scandinavian Christmas at the table: impress your guests!
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Another place to show off beautiful Scandinavian-style Christmas decorations is the table. After all, at Christmas, between lunches and dinners, there's no shortage of opportunities for a beautiful table setting!
Setting an elegant and charming Christmas table is a true art, but how can you make your dinners or lunches truly unforgettable by adding a touch of Nordic style to the table? Here are some tips!
- First, let's choose the base: if you have white, beige, gray, or green tablecloths at home, you've hit the jackpot. But if you have a beautiful wooden table, you could also leave its beautiful grain exposed and play with runners and placemats!
- Create a Nordic-style Christmas centerpiece! With a round or square table, it's best to opt for something smaller: a trio of lanterns, a candelabra, or twisted branches and mistletoe in a pretty vase. If the table is long, have fun creating a long, narrow centerpiece that "slices" the entire length in two: the effect will be truly spectacular.
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- Finally, place cards! For a truly authentic Nordic Christmas table, we recommend choosing something simple and homemade, like a pine sprig tied with string. Placed on a beautiful cloth napkin (or, if you want to go bigger, on the printed menu), it will look stunning.
With these tips, your Christmas table will be a true masterpiece. The Scandinavian atmosphere will be reflected in every detail, from the colors to the decorations. Your guests won't be able to help but be enchanted.
Scandinavian Christmas is here: with faux fur rugs, spectacular garlands, dazzling fir trees, magical woodland creatures, and elegant centerpieces, your home will be the most enchanting of all!
