It's been snowing all night here in Malmö and our world has transformed into a winter wonderland.
In Scandinavia, Christmas (or 'winter') decorations are taken very seriously not least because candles and fairy lights help to brighten up the darkness and touches from nature draw the cosiness of the season indoors.
Our Nordic friends tend to start decorating on the First Sunday of Advent - starting in a simple way with star lanterns, candles and maybe a wreath for the door. The star of the day of course, is the advent candle. These come in many shapes and forms including a numbered candle, four candles in a wreath, a simple candleholder in the window or even a crown hung from the ceiling. You may choose to forgo the tradition entirely and just enjoy the warm glow of candlelight in the evening.
Here is some inspiration for those of you who love candles as much as I do!
There are just so many different ways to do candles - from ore fanciful to incredibly simple. All beautiful in their own way. Do you have a favourite?
Would you like to see a few other ideas? Take a look at:
Have a cosy day friends, stay warm!
Niki
PS Please always exercise caution with candles in your home. Keep naked flames away from anything flammable and never leave a lit candle unattended. It's also a good idea to only use candles in a well ventilated space.
Credits: 1. Northern Sisters Collective, 2 Maja Olausson, 3. Tina Sosna, 4. Magnus Lundgren, 5. What decorates my day 6,7,8 Unknown - found on Pinterest (can you help?) .
I adore candles all year round. I love to put a few on the window case as it gets dark....the thing is about candles is that you can never have too many.
ReplyDeleteYes, so true!
DeleteAgree! Candles are lovely, always
ReplyDelete:) they are such a great way of bringing in natural light, especially when it's so dark!
DeleteCan you tell me a little about Helen’s wood stove? What material is used on the outside? Is it hot to the touch? Who manufactures it? Approximate cost for that type? I’m very interested!
ReplyDeleteLet me check with Helen and come back to you shortly. I agree, it is very special!
DeleteSo beautiful and serene. I love the simplicity of the canning jar with a small candle in it.
ReplyDeleteJars are great for decorations!
DeleteI am in love with Scandinavian Christmas decorating. I have always preferred natural/traditional decorating for the holiday and this post is a perfect example.
ReplyDeleteWe don't decorate with Advent wreaths in our home, but we observe it weekly in church with the lighting of the candles.
I agree that simplicity is key :)
DeleteDeal Niki, I absolutely love your blog!!!! It is the daily highlight of my life and it has helped me to get over really difficult times in my life. In fact it has become a kind of home for me and I really enjoy to visit it. Thank you for your steady engagement, I know this is a lot of work to do…..
ReplyDeleteWith love from Austria 🥰
Thank you so much, I have always intended for this blog to be a community and a positive bubble of escape so your comment means so much to me. I am sorry to hear you have had difficult times, and am humbled to hear My Scandinavian Home has been a light in the darkness.
DeleteStor kram (big hug) from Sweden.