my scandinavian home: Search results for Christmas

Let it Glow: 5 Pretty Candle Displays You Can Make In An Instant!

The winter solstice 2019 will be at 05.19 this Sunday, 22nd December (counting down the seconds? You bet I am!). From then on, the days slowly get lighter - PHEW! Anyone else feeling a tiny bit relieved? In my mind, the only saving grace is that the darkness gives us an excuse to light candles, and lots of them, which makes for one very cosy home! On the dining table, in the window, by the sink. As long as there's nothing flammable nearby, there's no end to where you can add a little glow. Here are 5 of my favourite, simple DIY candle displays this winter!

1. Swedish Advent ljusstake: two weeks ago, Per mentioned in this interview how much he loves the traditional Swedish 7-arm candelabra. I have to say, they do look very beautiful in the window (from the inside and out!). Sadly, they're not easy to find in all countries, but if you fancy something similar, why not make one yourself with different size vintage brass candleholders. So pretty!

2. Jam jars and pine: everyone has a few jam jars lurking in a drawer - why not make use of them and create these simple tea light holders using garden twine and pine (if you don't feel like lopping them off your tree, ask for a few off cuts at your local Christmas tree market, I'm sure they'd be happy to help!

3. Moss candleholders: no vintage brass candlesticks to hand? Fill glass jars with moss for an instant candleholder - twine and rosemary optional! Do keep an eye on them when lit though - especially if the moss is dry!

4. Candles and pine in the window: you can't get more simple than white candles in jam jars and branches of pine laid across the windowsill - and it looks super cosy too!

5. Simple DIY table wreath: A daily Something has shared this simple DIY candle wreath here. I love the idea of the delicate grey, tapered candles too - so elegant! Could this be something for your Christmas table?

Did anything catch your eye? I'm a big fan of moss and have already made a few candle holders with it at home (I also love to wrap moss around the bulb of hyacinths and amaryllis).

A quick reminder to be really careful with candles - always blow them out when you leave the room and make sure your home is well ventilated!

If you'd like a few more Christmas decorating ideas check out:

6 beautifully simple Scandinavian DIY Christmas Decorations

16 DIY Christmas decorations made from nature

3 lovely DIY Christmas decorations

There's also plenty of Scandinavian home tours all decked out for Christmas in the archive!

Have a cosy day!

Niki

Credits: 1. Christina Strehlow 2. Linnea, Lovely Life 3. Source unknown - Pinterest (tips welcome!) 4. DIY Jewellery ideas (if this is not correct, please let me know!) 5. Pufik Homes 6. A Daily Something

Maja's Cosy Swedish Home All Decked out for Christmas!

Tjoohooo! I hope you had a cosy weekend! It's been snowy here - and so cold, even the sea has iced over. but I do love a winter wonderland, here in the South we have to make the most of it as we never know when it all might be washed away! Today, I'm stopping by to share a final home tour for 2022 - and it's such a pretty one!

You'll recognise Maja Olausson's house from a previous post. A former mission house with a charming interior, it's hard to forget! I especially love her home at Christmas when it's all decked out with stars, orange garlands, candles in moss and Christmas trees from a sustainably controlled forest. Oh, and keep a look out for her home made wrapping paper and gift tags as well as her festive table scape - some really lovely ideas here! So kompis, wrap yourself in a blanket, pour yourself an extra strength coffee (Swedish style!) and enjoy the tour!

Really lovely!

Are there any details / ideas that stood out to you in particular?

I'm impressed by all the details. I have to confess, since we're going to see my family in London at some point during the holidays I haven't done a huge amount at home - but we do have a lovely tree and a few decorations dotted about - as well of course, stars and candles in the window! You can read more about the Brantmark Christmas traditions from Per's perspective here!

Have you put up a lot of decorations this year (if you celebrate)?

For more inspiration today, you might like to check out the Christmas and Christmas decoration archives as well as some of these cosy home tours:

Hannah's cosy Finnish home in the snow

Inspiring Christmas touches in a beautiful Swedish home

A bright Copenhagen home full of festive cheer

6 simple decorating ideas from Anna's swedish home

Kram!

Niki

Photography Maja Olausson, shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations country style living rural retreats

6 beautifully simple Scandinavian DIY Christmas decorations

It seems every house I visit is a hive of Christmas DIY activity right now. Kitchen tables have been transformed into makeshift workstations and laden with glue, wire, scissors and various other tools. Branches of foliage, acorn cups and cinnamon sticks lie in various states of transformation, with wonderful creations rising from the creative debris. This is why it's my favourite time of the year. Everyone gets creative! In case you're in need to a little inspiration to get you started, I've rounded up 6 of my favourite beautifully simple DIY Scandinavian- style Christmas decorations doing the rounds this year.

Ooooooooh so lovely, don't you think?

Here's how:
1. Marij Hessel talks us through fab DIY baubles.
2. Norwegian blogger Nina Holst's pretty mini wreath place setting (no instructions, but I am guessing twisting into a circle and wiring together?).
3. See the DIY instructions for A Merry Thought's wonderful minimal half wreath.
4. Light up your wreath like Francois et Moi's DIY candle wreath.
5. Or go traditional like Babes in Boyland's rosemary wreath (step by step guide here).
6. And finally, who said putting up lights isn't creative?! How about shunning the usual Christmas ones for simple string bulb lighting like at Zeta's Julmarknad and arrange your way?!

After a few more ideas? You might also like to check out 3 beautifully simple DIY Christmas decorations. And my Christmas archive (scroll past the first post if it's this one) - full of Scandinavian homes in the festive spirit (including my own!).

What will you be making this Christmas?

Have a wonderfully creative weekend!

PS This post is a result of a special request from my sister - good luck with your wreath tomorrow Cas!

PPS Don't forget to enter the give-away to win an Abbott & Mosley watch! It only takes a minute!

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations

A Swedish country-style Christmas

Here in Sweden people general start decorating over the first weekend of advent so I thought we're in need of a little inspiration, what do you reckon? This beautiful Swedish country home of stylist and photographer Marie Delice Karlsson and her family is beautifully decorated using a green and white theme. I love the simplicity of the decorations which include bare-branched Christmas trees (which I'm sure smell divine) - who said you should only have one tree and that it should be in the corner of the sitting room? And I love the demi-john as a candleholder on the table.

Styling and photography: Marie Delice Karlsson with kind permission. Lantliv

Anything you love about this home in particular?

It's got me thinking about Christmas trees. Here's a picture of our Christmas tree from last year which we cut down from a nearby forest (our annual family tradition!)...and here's a little inspiration on Scandinavian style Christmas trees....or for a more modern Christmas tree. What does your tree look like?

Oh and if you're shopping for advent calendar's this weekend I'm loving this pretty white linen advent calendar from The Linen Works (and their linen tablecloth is perfect for Christmas too!).

Or perhaps you'd like to create your own advert calendar?

Have a lovely weekend!

PS You can see more lovely images and read about this home over at Lantliv.

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations

6 Pretty Scandinavian DIY Christmas Gift-Wrapping Ideas

Have you finished your Christmas shopping (if you celebrate / exchange presents)? I'm not quite there yet, but I'm already looking forward to the next phase: the gift wrapping! Every year I envisage myself spending hours baking, creating DIY decorations and lovingly making my own wrapping paper. The reality is somewhat different! Do you feel the same? The good news is that in this gift-wrapping round-up there is something for everyone - whether you prefer / have the time to make things from scratch, or would simply like to add a simple, yet pretty touch to your presents! Either way, why not make an evening of it with candlelight and glögg (mulled wine). You could also make up a riddle to go with each present - just like the Swedes do! Here are 6 lovely ideas:

1. Paper tree - the wrapping above looks highly sophisticated, but just cutting out a long 'ribbon' from the wrapping paper you are using and arranging its in a Christmas tree shape is as easy as can be, and makes a great replacement for shop bought bows!

1. Paper cut outs - Swede Helena Lyth shows a step by step guide on how to create decorative cut outs in your wrapping paper.

2. Jingle bells! Little brass bells attached to string will make your pressies chime! I love these rustic bells from Etsy*. Photo - Nathalie Myrberg.

3. Furoshiki - I love the idea of using reusable cloth for present wrapping. See as step by step tutorial here and more Furoshiki gift wrapping ideas here (love the knitted one!) and source natural* and dyed Furoshiki clothes*. Photo - Dans le Sac.

4. Foraged - winter foliage like berries, pine, boxwood, and eucalyptus add such a pretty touch to presents wrapped in simple brown paper. Photo - Eva Kosmas Flores.

5. Linen and dried flowers - a simple, yet pretty and natural way to wrap presents

What do you think? Any ideas you might like to try?

See a load more gift-wrapping ideas here:

7 Christmas gift wrapping ideas using cloth

5 gift wrapping ideas with a natural touch

8 beautiful rustic gift wrapping ideas

Entertaining this weekend? Here are some of my favourite holiday table setting ideas:

A pretty Scandinavian table at Christmas

Simple yet lovely Christmas table ideas

You might also like to see all the beautiful tours, decorating ideas and snowy landscapes in the Christmas archive!

Have a cosy weekend!

Niki

FILED UNDER:

Sandra's Cosy Swedish House at Christmas

Hej hej! I hope you had a cosy weekend! Per and I have just returned from the Danish island of Bornholm where we drove through the snowy landscape and visited lots of Christmas markets. It was really magical! I've shared the stories in my highlights on instagram, but tempted to share the trip here, would that be of interest?

Speaking of Christmas - I hunted high and low to find a cosy festive home this morning, and came across Swedish photographer Sandra Nilsson's house in a village in South Sweden. It's full of 'mysig' (cosy) touches including advent candles, wreaths, hyacinths and of course a tree! Not only that, but the interior is a dream for anyone who loves vintage and antique items - which can be seen everywhere from the kitchen to the dining room and bathroom, all of which bear the wonderful markings of a life well lived!

Välkommen in!