A Weekend Guide to the Danish Island of Bornholm in Winter

Out in the middle of the Baltic sea - not far from Sweden, Germany and Poland, you'll find the Danish island of Bornholm. It's known as a summer paradise, with many Danes and other eager tourists taking the ferry over in droves to explore the island, lie on the sandy beaches and soak up the summer sun. My family and I have spent a wonderful few days during a sailing holiday many moons ago and I have so many fond memories. But I've never thought about going there in wintertime. Until now! 

Last weekend Per and I took the 1.5 hour ferry ride from Ystad, Sweden to the island of Bornholm and spent a cosy, winter weekend there. Now, I must add that we were lucky to have snow, and it is definitely out of season - but fortune favours the bold, and those who dare to brave the cold will be treated to Christmas markets bursting with local arts and crafts, snow covered forests, pretty fishing villages and coastal walks all to yourself! Here are some snapshots and a summary of the activities you mustn't miss should you visit the Danish island of Bornholm in wintertime: 

Visit the pretty village of Svaneke 

We stayed in the newly renovated hotel Siemsens Gaard in a pretty room overlooking the harbour. The in-house restaurant was absolutely perfect too - cosy with delicious in-season dishes (you don't want to go far in the cold, so it was a treat to wonder across the candlelit courtyard! 

The view from our room! 

Take a walk around the old fishing village to look out the pretty cottages all decorated for Christmas and explore the array of small boutique shops (I particularly loved Olivarius bookstore).  

Sampling the freshly baked bread and Danish pastries at Svaneke Brød bakery was also a highlight! 

Blow out the cobwebs by taking a wintery stroll by the coast. 

Take a walk in the forest

If the coast is not your thing, head to Almindingen forest in the centre of the island, and pick one of the many trails for a hike. During our stay the snow covered forest looked like something out of a fairytale! 

Shop local! 

Tour the island by car and pick up locally made arts and craft, glassware, lighting and other items from beautiful independent interior design boutiques such as Storms Rum (above), Lille Krusegaard, Matters - House of Craft and Hjorths fabrik as well as small vintage and secondhand stores. You'll likely pass many honesty stalls along the way which selling everything from handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, eggs, honey and other locally produced items! 

Watch glassmaking in action 

Bornholm is very famous for glass-making - and includes ateliers like Pernille Bülow with whom I collaborated with for this Christmas tour of Helen's cottage. We loved watching a glass-maker in action at Matters - House of Craft in Nexø. 

Visit a Bornholm Christmas market

There is nothing more hyggelig than a danish Christmas market! In the weekends leading up to Christmas the island is full of them! Nestled beside a shipping wharf, Bornholm Christmas market in Nexø is brilliantly off-the-wall and a great place to buy anything from local beer, honey, jewellery, glassware, chocolates and knitwear! 

Svaneke Blomster flower store had a beautiful stall! 

I loved that there were oil barrels dotted around the market offering a place to warm our hands - they were completely in fitting with the industrial shipping location! 

Other Christmas market must-dos include the small, yet charming one at Siemsens Gaard Hotel in Svaneke where you could warm the cockles over a mug of gløgg and hotdogs (below): 

Also, don't miss the incredible Christmas craft market at Hjorths Fabrik - recognised as one of the best preserved industrial monuments in Scandinavia. At Christmas, the museum is taken over by local seamstresses, potters, jewellery makers and artists selling their wares. It's a Christmas market shopping paradise and not far from the ferry port in Rønne so easy to get to without a car too! 

Sustainably made silk shirts hand printed with the ink from pressed wild flowers by Gevandt was one of the items you could buy at the arts and craft market. 

All of the original potters wheels and tools (seen below) are still in use in the atelier. 

If you're looking for something really local, keep an eye on the calender for the village Christmas market in Gudhjem. Lanterns light the way and a pretty Christmas tree by the harbour awaits! 

Tuck into a Dansk Julefrukost (Danish Christmas feast)

It wouldn't be Christmas in Denmark without a feast. Book a table by the sea at Melsted Badehotel (above) and tuck into a taster many including all the local Christmas delicacies washed down with a local brew and aquavit. or indulge in a cosy evening at Njord in Svaneke. 

I hope you enjoyed these snapshots from our wintery weekend on Bornholm! I just thought it would be fun to share our quirky trip with you - especially if you love to hear about more alternative Scandinavian destinations! 

If you're more of a warm weather person who likes more action and restaurants and bars buzzing with atmosphere then you should definitely consider visiting Bornholm in summertime! You can also see my guide about island hopping in the Swedish Baltic or touring the incredible Swedish west coast islands. And you might also like to read my Scandinavian city guides, including 20 things to do in Malmö in winter time! 

Came here today looking for Scandinavian Christmas decorating ideas for the weekend? Head over to this archive for a ton of pretty ideas! 

Right guys, I think that's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I hope you have a really cosy and relaxed weekend! 

Niki

All photos and words by me. 

Thank you to Destination Bornholm for funding this press trip. 

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A Beautiful Copenhagen Home Full of Festive Cheer!

Christmas is a time for visiting old friends. And I feel we're doing exactly that today. You might remember earlier this year I took you on a tour of Mette Helena Rasmussen's art-filled Danish home. The date was 13th January - which marks the final day for taking down Christmas decorations in Scandinavian calendar, - and her home was looking fresh and ready for the year ahead. Today, I thought it would be fun to revisit her home and see what it looks like all decorated for Christmas, after all, the Danes have such a wonderful sense of style! And boy, is it full of festival cheer! Think figurines perched on picture frames, little decorations hung on the wall, stars, candles, red berries, and a big tree festooned with pretty pieces. And best of all, many of the pieces were bought second-hand. Welcome to Mette Helena's home in Amager, Copenhagen which she shares with her two children. 

Paper stars are a popular choice in Scandinavia - and you can choose to leave them plain or add a lightbulb so they glow at night.

This brown paper star* is similar. 

Potted evergreens on the balcony help to add that touch of greenery we're missing at this time of year. Throw in a sheepskin*, blanket* and even some fairy lights and you'll create a a really 'hyggeligt' spot! 

Simple pinecones on each place setting add a warm earthy touch to the Christmas table, while mix and match chairs and a subtly creased white linen tablecloth* help to add a relaxed touch. 

Mini trees with one or two simple decorations help to add a festive touch to different areas of the home - or if you live small, are an ideal solution! Look closely at the side table and pictures frames and you'll see subtle touches everywhere. 

I can imagine finding 'forgotten' decorations until March - it usually happens in my home right after someone has clambered into the loft. Do you find this too? 

How pretty is this Christmas tree? I love that no two decorations are alike. 

Much of what this home so cosy at Christmas is the details. And this homemade garland above the door is exactly what I'm talking about. hearts, bells, candy cane and toadstools all play a part in the Scandinavian Christmas scene! 

In the children's bedroom a white jewellery holder has been used as a makeshift Christmas tree. I also spy homemade paper Christmas stars. My children used to make these at nursery school and we still hang them on our tree each year. 

Who says decorations need to be hung? Coloured baubles look equally pretty in a tray by the bed (or on plats or the windowsill as seen in this Swedish Christmas post). 

All in all, one truly inspiring Christmassy home. 

It makes we want to go all out on the detail this year, how about you? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more of Metta Helena's home and check out her shop Retro Villa. 

You might also like to check out these posts for plenty more Danish Christmas cheer!

5 jolly holly Danish homes at Christmas

A colourful Danish home at Christmas

Danish Christmas decorations from Georg Jensen in a Swedish apartment

The pretties Christmas baubles this year - mouthblown on a Danish island

Have a great start to the week, stay warm! 

Niki

Photography Tia Borgsmidt 

Styling Metta Helena Rasmussen 

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11 Swedish Christmas Decorating Essentials (From Mari's Festive Home)

We're nearing the winter solstice, and I have to say, it's very dark here in Sweden right now. In fact, in the far North, the sun set a few days ago and will not reappear again for 24 days. Can you imagine? This is why the Scandinavians love to brighten up the darkness with levande ljus (candlelight) and delight the senses with the sweet smell off pepparkaka (gingerbread). Nature also plays a starring role - with moss, pine and fir, which is readily available in the forest - being a firm favourite.  In Mari Magnusson's home in Enköping, North West of Stockholm, candles light up her tables and sideboards and pine tree branches have been transformed into garlands, wreaths and simple yet pretty table displays. Welcome to Mari's mysigt (cosy) Christmas wonderland - and discover 11 swedish Jul essentials! 

1. Pepparkakshus: No Christmas in Sweden would be complete without a gingerbread house. Some buy kits, others go for their own handmade creation. Either way, they look pretty, smell divine, are fun to make and will likely leave you with burnt fingers (from the hot melted sugar 'glue'). You've been warned! Recipe available here. 

2. Pepparkaka hearts: all across the country children and adults alike will be rolling out gingerbread dough and cutting it into hearts (and other shapes). The sweet-smelling biscuits will then be hung from the tree, in the window, or arranged into a garland (or best of all, eaten!). 

3. Amaryllis: No Swedish home would be complete at an amaryllis - usually red but you also see white, and even a peach variety. 

4. Hyacinths: Whether planted in soil or wrapped in moss, these sweet smelling flowers are Jul staples! 

5. The pine (or fir) tree sapling: When you have little Christmas tree saplings going in your garden, it's just to go out and pick one and place it in water - and they look as pretty as can be. Plus, they can be re-planted once Christmas is over! Slightly tricker if you don't.  But little potted trees can look equally pretty and are more widely available. 

6. Sprigs of pine and alder cones: who needs expensive bouquets when a little sprig from a pine tree and alder tree cones can look equally pretty? Don't live next to a forest? Cut a few sprigs off the back of your Christmas - no one will ever notice! 

7. The wreath: Hung on the door, hanging from the ceiling, on the wall, in the window... there is no end to the different ways a Swede uses a wreath at Christmas! 

8. Candles: all hail the levande ljus. An essential element to any Scandinavian home in any shape or form - and the perfect way to brighten up the darkness!*

9. The Christmas flower and star: On the first Sunday of advent, pretty Christmas star lanterns appear in the window. Inside, paper flowers have become popular - and they're super simple to make! 

10. Adventsljusstakar: Not featured here (although, I'm sure Mari has one somewhere in the house!), these electric V-shaped candelabra have been placed in the windows of homes, schools and offices for centuries - and light up the windows throughout cities, towns and hamlets. 

11. The Christmas tree! No home would be complete without a Julgran - in whichever shape or size. Traditionally Swedes used real candles on a tree - and very occasionally still do**. But it's way more popular, practical and safe to use electric lights these days! 

So simply and so pretty! I love the essential Swedish Christmas decorations. 

Do you have any of these in your home?

I'd love to hear about the essential Christmas ingredients in your country too. 

See more pictures from Mari's home over on her lovely interior instagram feed @anangelinmyhome and baking feed: @anangelatmytable. 

Wishing you a cosy day!

Niki

Photography: Mari Magnusson 

*Important note with regards to candles: always place candles well away from anything flammable. Never leave a lit candle unattended (always blow them out before leaving a room). 

**Important note with regards to real Christmas tree candles: please be aware that using real candles on a tree requires a huge amount of vigilance. Only ever use real candles on a fresh tree (i.e. bring it in the day before Christmas). Place the candles well away from other branches. Never ever leave candles unattended, and always have sand or another type of fire extinguisher nearby. In all honesty, real candles look pretty but I would advise sticking to electric candles!  

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10 Scandinavian Christmas Crafting Ideas (Many are Edible!)

Hemköp

If there's one thing I really admire about the Scandinavians, it's their passion for crafting and DIY. And at Christmas there's no stopping our dexterous Nordic friends. Referred to as 'Julpyssel' adults and children across the country are busy rolling out gingerbread dough, perfecting their Christmas caramel, carving out paper snowflakes to hang in the window and finalising candle holders with moss. If you'd like to channel your inner Scandinavian and get crafting this week, here are 10 Christmas DIY ideas to get you started: 

1. A-Frame Gingerbread house: a favourite in Sweden, edible gingerbread houses look so pretty at Christmas. If you're a novice, it might be best to start with a kit (they sell them at IKEA!), but I also love this fab A-frame cabin made from heart shaped gingerbread!  

Anna Nilsson

2. Mini gingerbread houses: These pretty houses can be hung in the window or on the tree (they might also get eaten on the way - and who'd blame you!). Instructions / recipe here. 

Hannah Larsson

3. The gingerbread village: Why create individual houses, when you can make an entire village? There's so much fun to be had creating a skyline, and you can eat it afterwards too. 

Owans Studio

4. Mini gingerbread drink decorations: Imagine serving hot chocolate with this little touch - hygge personified! Instructions  here. 

@sambohjelm

5. Julkola (Christmas caramel): Who doesn't love homemade sweets at Christmas? Caramel makes a perfect addition to the table too - or wrapped as a present. Original recipe here (in Swedish), English recipe here. 

Dörte Janusxzewski / @lewesmap

6. DIY snowflakes made from cardboard: These pretty decorations made from loo roll cartridges (or straw, toothpicks, newspaper - just about anything!) look just as pretty on the tree as they do hung in the window! Instructions here. 

@genommittfonster

7. Window drawings: Looking a little grey outside? Why not grab a white pen and create a pretty Christmas display to brighten up your view? 

@hemlikheter

8. Paper flowers: Colourful crepe is a perfect material for making pretty paper flowers. Place them on mini trees, in a bowl or create a garland. Know-how here. 

@jenniferthors

9. DIY Forest friends wrapping: put a smile on your children's faces with these cute forest friend Christmas wrapping ideas! 

@haga.vastergarden

10. Candle displays: Small plant pots make a perfect candleholder at Christmas time. Simply fill them with soil, a little moss and some small branches from a fir tree. 

So many great ideas here. Can you imagine making any of these? 

What do you make at Christmas? Inspire us in the comment section below! 

More Christmas DIY ideas here: 

Let it glow: 5 simple candleholders you can make in an instant

6 beautifully simple Scandinavian DIY ideas

How to make Swedish Christmas angels from paper

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

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