Scandinavian Christmas Decorations & Holiday Quotes is close to my heart. It reflects the sort of Swedish Christmas feels I grew up with since my parents always made our holiday home feel like a Scandinavian wonderland. Dala horses, oranges studded with cloves, straw ornaments, Carl Larsson artwork, and stacks of Swedish pancakes.
Scandinavian Christmas Decorations, Quotes & Citrus Garlands
The fragrance of orange strikes me as the scent of pure love likely because at Christmastime, oranges played a starring role in the decor. I still love the scent in combination with cloves.
Have you ever dried orange slices to make a garland?
Perhaps you’ll be inspired after seeing the citrus glory ahead!
And don’t forget apples!
Sweet Nordic Holiday Mood
White Nordic Christmas Spare Simplicity
The older I get, seeing any pet’s nose against the pane pulls on my heartstrings and engages my tear ducts. Oh the lovely!
This next rustic Nordic Christmas moment brings to mind a cabin in the north woods, a mountain lodge, a forest hideaway with fires to warm stockinged feet.
Lord have mercy, don’t we all try to make it the hap hap happiest? Sometimes we even succeed.
Swedish Goat With Vintage Ribbon on My Porch
Still not at all known for my holiday decor (ahem…it’s hard for a stylist who appreciates restraint), I did take the time to wrap vintage embroidered Swedish ribbon ’round a goat.
Citrus Peel Appealing Messages
CONFESSION: I did try my hand at cutting letters from citrus peel last year, and obviously I need more practice and no photos were snapped, ChristmasCats.
Turns out, I am better at singing my Christmas cheer than crafting it.
Still…this area could definitely use a citrus peel garland!
Citrus + Magnolia + Greenery
Does it get more classy than this Christmas door wreath?
We should never shy away from a holiday DIY just because we think the result will be less than perfect or pinworthy. After all, getting out of your head to create beauty for an hour or two is good medicine.
Pom pom garland? Check. Fresh greenery? Boom. Citrus garland and bells? Mantel bliss ahead.
Should you need a bell garland of your own, check out THESE LOVELIES.
My Childhood Christmas in a Bowl!
Sometimes just one image will stop you in your tracks and even serve as a time machine taking you back to a simpler age.
Dried Citrus Garland
Here’s my favorite tutorial for making a beautiful dried citrus garland:
For the first half of my life, I think I worked feverishly to BE the candle rather than reflect it. I truly didn’t understand rest and reflection. Chronic illness, failures, humiliations, setbacks, and suffering taught me about stillness and flow and becoming permeable.
Cinnamon and Valencia Orange
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Have you ever tried making a candle with stuff in it like cinnamon sticks? How did it turn out?
Skip the DIY and Happily Buy
I am guessing my critters outside with have a heyday if I began to tuck fruit into my wreath!
Clever Christmas Cookie Idea
Who is rushing out to the thrift store or their basement to find a heavy vintage etched patterned tumbler?
Don’t underestimate Swedish pepparkakor cookies (a tin of them makes such a lovely gift!). Whip up some buttercream and decorate them. No one has to know you didn’t bake them yourself. 🙂
Whimsical Swedish Gnomes & Tomte
Bet you have been seeing plenty of these around town in recent years…
Scandi Style Christmas Wreath
I bought this pre-lit wreath below, and if you’re looking for a larger piece to make a statement but with relative simplicity for which the Scandinavians are adept, this is it. It also comes in a smaller version for $20…not too shabby for a prelit Scandi wreath.
Swedish Holiday Kitchen
This next moment makes me wanna grab my shaker of powdered sugar (yes, chef, I do have one in the pantry) and get shake-a-lakin.
I keep forgetting about Hanna Andersson. I mean, how many years did her beautifully unique catalog arrive in my mail?
I bought this sweet plaid welcome mat for my sister last year, and I can’t wait to see her use it this year.
Swedish Red on a Farmhouse
A red farmhouse in the snow…sigh!
Simple Scandi Christmas Tree Ornaments
If all you do this year is throw these stars on the tree with some twinkling white lights, I bet it will be lovely.
This totally reminds me of a piece that would be in a Scandi interior or the North Pole:
Nordic White Holiday Simplicity
One image, so much inspiration!
Handpainted Swedish Designs
We kids grew up with dala horses so they feel part of our family culture.
Must remember to try putting a little tree in an old crock or earthenware…it’s such a winning combo.
And so is a tree glowing with candlelight!
Minimal & Natural Scandi Christmas Tree
Swedish Clogs & Bold Boho Scandi Style
Did you ever think clogs would be fashionable again?
While these next pom wreaths may no longer be available, maybe they will inspire you to get busy with a 1970s feeling crafty DIY.
For the Pom Pom Lovin’ Squad
French Nordic Christmas Inspo
Wondrous Wooden Scandi Snowflakes
Scented Candles With a Favorite Swedish Spice
Next to orange, cardamom is one of my favorite scents and TRULY brings back my childhood, the 70s and my Swedish friends and family.
I predict this will sell out immediately – if there is one holiday decor item I am asked about from my home, it’s my bells shaped like this. Give it purpose as a candle? Genius!
Swedish Lucia Saffron Buns
Treat yourself to the most darling tutorial and recipe from Green Kitchen Stories!
Budget Friendly Decor Buys
Looks like a couple of these finds went up to $25 (pillows and ornament storage) since last year, but most are the same price…
You’re in the right place for even more Nordic holiday loveliness…see these:
Romantic Nordic French Cottage
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Nothing like Scandinavian treats at Christmas! A great post – bringing back memories of growing up in Wisconsin!
Margie Mortensen
Author
Exactly! We live a stone’s throw from wonderful Wisconsin and all that cheese! Thanks for adding to the beauty here.
I love the Swedish simplicity in decorating! Thanks for bringing joy to me this morning! XO
Author
Me too – it has such soul and simplicity and elegance in its restraint. Thanks for adding to the beauty here, Holly. I can’t get enough of seeing your work as you post it, and there’s something extraordinary about seeing your pieces right when they are finished and offered in real time. I would love to see shots of unfinished work too – that would be a treat! 🙂
Hello, I love all of your posts. I love your clean, classic style. Lately I have been looking at some of your older posts on Pinterest. I recently downsized to an older mobile home after cancer surgery. The trailer is very dated with laminate and pretty awful carpet, but, for right now, it is home. I have limited energy and a very limited budget. You mentioned painting laminate counter tops and cabinets. I would love your ideas for a budget renovation. I so admire what you do. Any suggestions? Maybe you have done this and I missed it! Thank you.
Author
Thank you so much for spending time on my site and appreciating the inspiration! I want to beam myself to your home this second to sip cider and chat about your cancer journey and the decor possibilities. Limited energy and budget are no problem if you like my style. 🙂 Yep, I’m frugal and have painted laminate cabinets. My photos are horrible because there is no natural light and I have a sparkly ceiling light in our little laundry area, but I painted those vinyl cabinets with ordinary Behr paint (satin finish). They look like wood now. That post is here: https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/2019/09/before-after-diy-laundry-room-simple-makeover.html
If you don’t hate the color of your laminate counters, you may be surprised at how tweaks and decor improvements elsewhere will make you forget they are not marble. I can say this with confidence because I made the decision to NOT replace the beige laminate counters in our latest condo reno for our son (it’ll be on the blog prob next week!). Instead, I painted the cabinetry in a dramatic color, installed a rich looking tile backsplash that was very inexpensive, and added affordable good looking hardware to the cabinets. Wait til you see the transformation and how leaving the laminate since it was in perfect condition worked fine. It’s not fancy or in any way luxurious, but it is lovely and just right for him. I’ll be sharing links to resources and what we spent in total.
If you DO want to replace the counters – don’t rule out butcher block/wood options from Ikea and Home Depot. Keep me posted, and feel free to pose more questions anytime. 🙂
Oh, my goodness! That is so much more than I expected! I am so impressed! I have to go slowly, but I know I can do it. It is even more important now that I am spending so much time at home. Even though I am so challenged, I am grateful to have this small space with a tiny porch and my sweet butterfly garden. I can spend time with my kitty and a cup of tea! Thank you for all that you do — stay safe!
Author
So happy to help – give that kitty a rub from me and have a lovely weekend, friend.
We say God Jul (Good/Merry Yule/Christmas) actually 😉
Nice inspiration though. We love using oranges with black carnation thorns stuck inside, tied with red ribbon.
Merry Christmas!
Author
Hahaha – I’ll correct it! I’m sure my post titles seem nutty much of the time whether it’s Swedish or English – it’s all about pleasing google so my post gets shown. (Or maybe I was sipping cider while blogging.) God Jul!
Amazing, just amazing ideas! So romantic Christmas!
Author
Yes indeed! Thanks for reading.