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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A Colourful, Vintage Inspired Danish Home At Christmas

Go'morgon! How was your weekend? We had a birthday girl in the house (me!) and my sister came over from London to celebrate, it was so much fun! I have to admit I'm feeling a little ropey this morning. But, the cheerful Danish home of Louise, blogger behind Mor till Mernee, her partner and two children Merle and Neel never fails to put a smile on my face, especially at Christmas time! Decked out with multiple trees adorned with brightly coloured vintage decorations, homemade advent calendars, fairy lights and other festive touches, it's fun, personal and cosy! I caught up with Louise to find out a little more about Christmas in Jutland! 

I love how you have decorated your home - it looks so festive!

It's my favourite time of the year, except for the weather - in Denmark it's so rainy in December and I don't love that! But I love Christmas, the decorations, the tree, the time spent together. 

Look at that pup! Adorable! 

Every December I think "this year I'm going to really enjoy the run-up - baking with my family etc and then things just get crazy, do you find the same?

Christmas is always such a busy time, but every year we really try to take the time to just be. When the school holidays start next week, we'll be spending lots of time together as a family just doing nothing. 

I love the sound of that Louise! Your decorations are so pretty and unique, where did you find them? 

My decorations are very dear to me. Some are from my childhood; others are from my grandparents and some are bought vintage. I love vintage Christmas decorations, every year I by a new second-hand piece.

I love the trees in your house, can you tell us a little more about the ornaments? 

We decorate our trees with vintage pieces and also pieces that have been made by the children. They are a joy to unpack every year.  

Do you have a favourite tradition?

Every year, we head to the woods in the first weekend of December to pick our favourite tree and take it home. This way, we have a tree in our living room throughout December. The tree is the best decor ever, so why not have it the whole month? We love that! 

Oh, so pretty! 

Has this brightened up your Monday too?

You can also see a full tour of Louise's home (not at Christmas!) here and keep up to date with her latest updates on her blog and instagram. 

Etsy is a great source for vintage Christmas ornaments* (in case you're feeling inspired to pick up some of your own!). 

Up for a little more Danish inspiration today? Hop on over to the Danish home archive! 

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

PS I loved reading all your comments about your Christmas traditions (and your thoughts about Swedish ones) on Friday! Don't forget that you can get 20% off the seasonal collection at Skandinavisk with the code nikijul20 until 16th December - such a bargain and their candles smell divine! 

Photography: Louise / Mor till Mernee - shared with kind permission.

*Affiliate link

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Dreaming of a white Christmas in a Swedish home

With 1st advent this Sunday I felt it called for some beautiful Scandinavian Christmas inspiration, what do you reckon?! If like me you like to keep things simple, you'll love the details in this lovely home here in Skåne, Southern Sweden.  Think paper star lanterns, sprays of pine, a simple foliage wreath and an abundance of super cosy fluffy sheepskins and chunky knit throws against a completely white backdrop. No surprise the owner, Malin runs the most beautiful Instagram feed called Vittvittvitt (any guesses what this means?!), which features daily snapshots of her beautiful home. Here's a sneak peek....

Photos: Malin N / Vittvittvitt shared with kind permission

....soooo dreamy. I love the subtle decorations - warm and festive and yet still very natural and calm.

How about you?

Get the look: sitting room - sheepskin throw, cream blanket (this super-size white chunky knit is absolutely beautiful!) knitted cushion, white paper star lanterns in black and white, Bertoia diamond chair,

Other lovely Scandinavian-style Christmas inspiration links I love:

A beautiful wreath (with DIY tutorial to match) and a pine and cyprus wreath. Or just this.

Christmas eve in a Norwegian home.

A simple Christmas tree display.

A new England tree farm (chopping down your own tree is a tradition in our family and I got so excited when I saw this farm - beautiful! Do definitely check if you've got a tree farm near you, it's so much fun!)

And last but by absolutely no means least the ultimate Christmas ice breaker....cranberry-orange margaritas...

....actually, who needs to wait for Christmas? It's the weekend! Skål!

Have a wonderful couple of days!

PS Don't forget to use your 10% discount at Type Hype - with code MSH10 valid until 1st December! 

PPS I'll be popping in on Sunday with a great gift idea for young and old who love to travel....

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Beautiful Danish christmas inspiration in white and brown

Oh wow. Friday already? Is it me or does December race passed at the speed of, eh hem, Christmas lights?! The final weekend before the big day calls for some beautiful Danish Christmas inspiration, don't you think? This beautiful home was shot for the Oi Soi Oi AW14 collection. I'm loving the natural, rich brown and white tones, pretty trees climbing the stairs, and subtle stars and hearts. Perfect inspiration if you're looking to add some final touches to your home (or just getting started!). All we need now is a little snow!

 

I love this!

Many of these beautiful decorations are still available at Oi Soi Oi.

Is it just me or are mini Christmas trees popping up everywhere right now?! And all in different forms too - like the paper beauties in this pretty Danish inspiration post, DIY Christmas tree mobiles (available from Fabulous Goose) and the real McCoy in this Norwegian home tour - love them!

I'm also enjoying how it's all about tapping into every corner of the home  - from the bedroom (as seen in this oh so cosy Swedish home),  the bathroom (like in this Danish home) and even the kitchen and home office (seen in my home at Christmas a few years back!).

Let's not forget the outside too. I visited Stockholm last weekend and my brother-in-law had a beautiful Christmas tree with simple white lights in the garden, it looked so pretty in the snow. Here are five outdoor trees I also love:

Colour in the woods 
Au natural
Three outside a French country home
Lining the streets of NYC
Doubling up for a warm (yet snowy) welcome

And even lighthouses are getting into the Christmas spirit! Wonderful!

Admittedly it takes time and effort to go all out and despite my best intentions (I did put my tree up nice and early!), I'm not sure where the time has gone? Do you find the same?! But next year....NEXT YEAR..... :)

Have a fabulous couple of days and see you Monday!

PS Don't miss the very exciting give-away this weekend....watch this space! 

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15 Small Festive Touches To Cosy Up Your Home, Swedish Style

This weekend we had our first flurry of snow, and it's brightened up our world! Even so, the chill has meant we've really had to baton down the hatches and ramp up the hygge in our homes! And with the First Sunday of Advent just around the corner (traditionally the day Scandinavians start to decorate their homes for Christmas), I've been busy finding pretty yuletide inspiration. It's too early for a tree, at least in my mind, but there's no harm in starting to think about adding small cosy touches, right? Here are a few simple ideas I love from Sweden: 

1. Overhead wreath: don't reserve wreaths just for the door, string them up over the table for a pretty display. Add battery run fairy lights or candles to bring a warm glow to mealtimes. 

2. Oil lamps: brighten up your home and enjoy evenings under the soft glow of an oil lamp - they can burn for ours at a time! 

3. Swap your usual pendant light for a star! Swedes go to great lengths to transform their homes each season. I love this star lamp from Watt & Weke, it adds a lovely festive touch to the room at Christmas!

4. Lay foraged branches on the table: Find whatever you can in your garden, the nearby park or woods and lay it along the centre of your dining table for a pretty yet simple in-season touch. 

5. Mini, undecorated trees: I know I said this wouldn't include Christmas trees, but who can resist a mini tree in a vase? Left undecorated, it doesn't become overly festive which means you can get away with it as early as you like. It's a great way to bring nature indoors. 

6. Ramp up the candleholders: Group together candleholders in all shapes and sizes to bring light and warmth to the table. 

7. Light up your windows: This Sunday, every window in Sweden will be lit by an adventsljusstaker (advent candle - this one is called Tilpi and available here*) like the one seen above or a star lantern. It really helps to brighten ups the darkness, and feels so welcoming to arrive home to! 

8. Bouquets of Christmas flowers: In-season blooms are a great way to add a touch of colour. Swedes love amaryllis and hyacinths in particular! 

9. Garlands of dried oranges: Dry orange slices and thread them into a garland to make a pretty display in the window. 

10. Window wreath: wreaths don't need to be ostentatious affairs, especially early on in the festive period. A dainty green wreath adds a cosy touch to a window.

11. Gingersnap garland: Thread together pepparkaka for a garland that's good enough to eat! It will fill your home with the sweet smell of cinnamon too! 

12. Paper stars and snowflowers: Swedes love to hang paper stars in the windows, cabinet doors or just about anywhere else in their homes. Add light so they glow up at night!  

13. Wall or window hung candles*: So much prettier than a sconce - a wall hung candle will brighten up the darkest corner of your home. 

14. Don't forget the bathroom: Swedes love to place candles* just about anywhere in the home - including the bathroom! And when it's cold outside, a candlelit bath or shower does wonders for the soul! 

15. Add subtle touches to your entranceway or deck: put a smile on others faces - and your own when you arrive home by placing simple festive touches outside your door. It's amazing what a simple lantern, wreath or bare tree can do to brighten up cold winters days! 

I hope this has put you in the mood for adding a few, subtle yet cosy winter touches to your home! 

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, when do you usually start decorating? And when does your tree go up? 

Would you like to see some more Christmas decorating ideas? Here are a few posts I hope you'll find inspiring: 

Beautiful Danish Christmas decorations in Helen's Swedish cottage

10 Scandinavian Christmas crafting ideas

Inspiring Christmas touches in a beautiful Swedish home

Have a great start to the week friends, stay warm! 

Niki

Photography credits: 1. Lise Stang-Jacobsen 2. Frida Lundgren 3. Emelie Sundberg 4. Anna Truelsen 5. Emelie Sundberg 6. @mariasinredning 7. @mariasinredning 8. Västergården 9. Linda Haglund 10. Johanna Flyckt Gashi 11. Anna Truelsen

*Exercise extreme caution when using candles - always keep them away from flammable items, never leave naked flames unattended and enquire a fire extinguisher is nearby. 

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