my scandinavian home: Christmas

God Jul / Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much for a wonderful year here on My Scandinavian Home. It's been a joy to stop by each week. I have so appreciated all your comments and mails - always with a positive tone! I'll be back on 8th January, 2024. In the meantime, if you're looking for some inspiration, check out the 'best of My Scandinavian Home 2023' and discover my favourite archives right here.

I'll leave you with this beautiful tree decorated with bouquets of dried flowers in the Swedish home of Lovisa 'Furubo' Andersson. If you're looking for a last minute decoration idea, check out the bow and bell on the door handle too - so pretty!

Wishing you a God Jul (very Merry Christmas!).

Love,

Niki

Photography: Lovisa 'Furubo' Andersson, shared with kind permission.

A Charming Swedish cottage in the Snow, ready for Jul

Let me take you on her journey to the snowy landscape of Northern Sweden. Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Västerbotten, you'll find two cottages not far from one another, owned by two sisters. The pair share the same love for antique and vintage finds as well as wallpaper and lace curtains that echo times gone by. At Christmas, their cottages are bathed in the warm, golden glow of candlelight casting its spell on the surrounding countryside.

Their instagram feed @gammsystra has become something of a sensation in Sweden thanks to the beautiful portrayal of their traditional country homes throughout the seasons - and at Christmas time they really come into their own!

Here's a small selection from their many Christmassy scenes. Keep a look out for the 'ljusstake' - the candelabra in the window which you'll witness in the windows of most Swedish homes come December and the 'Julbock' a Christmas goat made from straw, another yuletide tradition from this Nordic country.

At Christmas Swedes drink glögg - a spiced mulled wine with raisins and almonds as well as a side of gingersnap biscuits. A perfect antidote to the cold!

Sheepskins are draped over furniture for a cosy feel.

So magical!

Could you imagine spending Christmas here?

For more beautiful snapshots from the sisters' homes, head over to @gammsystra.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @gammsystra, shared with kind permission.

The Tale of Anna Truelsen's Swedish Home at Christmas

It wouldn't be Jul (Christmas) without sharing the charming home of Swedish interior stylist Anna Truelsen, right? And this year it's as cosy and festive as can be! I caught up briefly with Anna to find out more about what Christmas means to her and her ethos behind the yuletide touches in her country home!

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas means so much to me! I like to decorate in a simple way using what nature has to offer. I dress up chandeliers with lingonberry twigs and make garlands from fresh pine.

When do you bring in the Christmas tree?

We put up the tree on 1st December, and then a few days before Christmas when my daughter comes home from Lund University, we decorate the tree in a Nutcracker theme. We have watched the Nutcracker every Christmas together since my daughter was a child.

Your Christmas table looks beautiful!

For me, food means a lot at Christmas and I love picking herring and baking bread.

How do you celebrate Christmas?

We always celebrate on Christmas Eve at home. We start with a special breakfast and sip coffee before 'Tomten' (Father Christmas) arrives to hand out presents. And then we enjoy a a 'Julbord' (Christmas smörgåsbord) in the evening. The day ends with midnight mass at the church.

I love the sound of your Christmas Anna, thank you so much for sharing your story with us!

You can see more pictures from Anna's home on her instagram, and also see a tour from a previous December here.

I have to say, I love the idea of having decorations from the Nutcracker, how about you? My Mother used to take me to see the ballet every Christmas when I was little!

How do you decorate your tree (if you have one / celebrate Christmas)? Do you a have a theme? or perhaps your tree is decorated with an array of nostalgic items collected over the years. I'd love to hear more!

Today in Sweden is a very special day - it's Lucia! A celebration of light which brightens up the darkness, Lucia involves girls in white with a bright red sash and crowned with candles, followed by a procession of characters who are equally resplendent! Usually performed by children in schools across the country, we're treated to songs, saffron buns and glögg (spiced mulled wine)! It's one of my favourite events of the year!

Happy Lucia!

Niki

Photography: Jonas Lundberg

Styling: Anna Truelsen

Shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations

Lovisa's Cosy Swedish Country Home At Christmas

Tjena! I hope you had a cosy weekend! Sadly, here in the South of Sweden the slow has slowly melted away - but further North they're looking all set for a magical white Christmas!

Evelina Lovisa Lind's traditional red Swedish country home looks so pretty against the white of the snow, and inside it's full of festive touches and as cosy as can be! Think vintage star lanterns, wreaths and plenty of candlelight. One furry member of the family seems to be particularly enjoy the spirit. Scroll on to see more pictures of Lovisa's festive home.

Outside, the cold hasn't stopped Evelina Lovisa from using her greenhouse, quite the opposite! It's been transformed into a pretty dining space! Just added a heater and you can feel all toasty under cover, with the feeling of being outside!

What a beautiful home!

Could you imagine cosying up here this winter? I certainly could!

See more of Lovisa's home over at @lovisalind. I once featured her previous home (also lovely!).

There are also lots of more cosy festives homes to be found in the Christmas archive!

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lovisalind, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations country style living swedish cottage

10 Scandi Christmas Decoration Ideas from Mari's Home

Hello friends, how are you on this winter day? Now that my birthday is over (thank you for all your kind messages on Wednesday!), Christmas decorating has reached fever pitch in our household, and I've been scouring the web for ideas! One of my go-to people is Mari Magnusson who always adds the most magical festive touches to her country home.

As always, I love to keep things simple, and many of Mari's ideas feature touches from nature, candlelight, white stars and wreaths. Here are 10 beautiful decorations to feel inspired by:

1. Foraged branches bring in the season and look so pretty with paper decorations

2. Simple paper baubles hung from cabinet door knobs add a festive touch

3. Paper star lanterns in the window brighten up the darkness and create a warm and welcoming glow.

4. An imperfect rustic tree tucked in a corner adds charm and a relaxed feel. Add a few small festive touches to give the look a lift.

5. Candles in a row on a side table or in front of a little used cabinet add a touch of warmth and magic after dark.

6. Candle wreaths strung from the ceiling make a great replacement for overhead lights at Christmas time.

7. Fairy lights can brighten up any cabinet or shelving at this time of year.

8. If you have a relatively large living space, it's nice to have more than one tree! A mini one can brighten up the kitchen, a hallway or a landing!

9. make your own candleholder with a dough bowl, some moss and a clutch of slim candles!

10. And of course, the big tree itself! Go all out or keep it simple like Mari - the only rule is to make it uniquely yours!

I hope you enjoyed these ideas!

You can see more from Mari's beautiful home over at @anangelinmyhome.

Check out the Christmas archive for more Scandinavian decorating inspiration this weekend.

Have a cosy weekend!

Niki

Photography by Mari Magnusson courtesy of @anangelinmyhome, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations

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!