A Scandinavian-Inspired Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! Christmas, that wonderful magical time of the year will soon arrive and we don’t want to catch us all by surprise in December. We all want to make it special and memorable for family and friends. As this event approaches, we always think to do something different, bring something more interesting and more appealing than the previous year in order to create that shiny and bright holiday. It happens that sometimes we don’t have enough money to put everything we imagined into practice, other times it seems like we’ve done it all and we simply run out of ideas. That’s why we’re here to help you with fresh and beautiful ideas that will fill your home with the scents of the holidays in an original manner.

Photos © IKEA Life at home

For this Christmas, we thought you might try your hand with a Scandinavian-inspired theme, especially if you are among those who are drawn to Scandinavian design and love the way such home are decorated for Christmas. The perfect holiday takes some creative thinking, so feel free to come up with any suggestion you want as long as you keep this design style. The winter season traditions of Nordic countries inspire everyone with simple and understated nature-inspired elements, candlelights and their favourite color palette of wood tones, whites and reds, a charming combination inspired by the red color of berries which shows up gorgeously against the snowy white landscape. In Scandinavian Christmas decor, function is the most important which is above all other aspects.

Photo © West Elm

Christmas trees and tables are usually embellished with simple baskets of berries, apples, decorated sugar cookies and garlands of candy and popcorn. Gingerbread cookies are also hung in the Christmas tree after they were cut into various holiday shapes, decorated with white frosting and red ribbon. Such cookies are given as a sign of holiday hospitality when guests leave. You can use plastic foam cones covered with fresh cranberries for making beautiful red centerpieces. Place them together on a tray and obtain an attractive effect by embellishing them with sprigs of holy. Little gifts wrapped in red wrapping paper can be placed around the table, gifts that shows up nicely against a white tablecloth. If you want a red tablecloth, then simply change the color of the others. Christamas crakers inspired by Scandinavian folk art are so much fun to add to your holiday meal. Warm and cozy candlelights are the perfect choice for cold and dark winter nights, as well as for dinners. Porcelain candle holders, mercury glass vases or nature-inspired heart lanterns will definitely add a bit of unexpected charm to the decor.

Other elements that are part of Scandinavian Christmas setting are animals. So, for example, a perfect addition to this theme is a pair of papier-mache reindeer displayed along with some botthle brush trees. Faux-fur blankets are also such beautiful accents for this time of year which keep your home warm and welcoming. A special and old tradition in Scandinavian homes for Christmas is to honor the animals that were present at the nativity. To remember the animals, neighborhood children are invited to make different arrangements of seeds, grains and apples and then let them outside for the animals and birds. Last, but not least, welcome your guests with a Swedish star lantern with a folk art design, which you can hand it in a picture window or entryway. Here are some inspiring decors and ideas to spice up your home this season with little a bit of Nordic style that make you forget about the frightful weather outside.