A Scandinavian Christmas under the sign of sweetness
Nordic decoration is distinguished above all by its soft and luminous palette, which traditionally combines white, gray and pastel colors. For a Scandinavian Christmas, we forget the iconic red and green duo, and the shimmering colors, and we adopt a more sober harmony.
If it is timeless, the Scandinavian style is not immune to trends. From now on, we prefer the ecru color, warmer, to pure white. And that also goes for the holidays, of course! For a hygge Christmas, we love the combination of the ecru color and a panel of earthy colors, ranging from golden beige to warm brown.
This season, in the world of Nordic decoration, the colors raise the tone: Klein blue, plum, terracotta, olive green or ocher yellow are essential. We love powdery, even resolutely muted shades, because they create an incredibly soft atmosphere, ideal for parties.
Minimalist elegance
If Scandinavian decoration has so much charm, it is undoubtedly that it cultivates the art of simplicity, even minimalism. This characteristic is particularly evident on the occasion of the end of year celebrations. For a Nordic Christmas decor, we forget everything that shines excessively, and we prefer uncluttered pieces.
Unmissable, Christmas balls, including in a Scandinavian decoration! Translucent or colored, we love the blown glass models, which we prefer to hang on a pretty ribbon.
Nordic decoration is intimately linked to nature: sustainable materials are essential, even during the holidays. We are therefore quick to fall for the trend of the moment: Scandinavian Christmas decorations in folded paper.
Simple and delicate, the cut-out paper decorations definitely have a crazy charm. While it is possible to shop them, you can experience the hygge art of living and take the time to make them yourself, sipping on a nice cup of hot chocolate.
On the Scandinavian New Year’s Eve table, the linen is sober, even a little crude. Linen is also a safe bet. For this festive meal, we delicately marry the extremes, introducing a precious touch of gold.
This is no longer to prove: Scandinavian design is a benchmark. To think outside the box and make a cutting-edge Nordic Christmas decoration, we dare to make daring creations. The easiest piece to tame is undoubtedly the minimalist wreath, especially since it can be customized using a fir, olive or eucalyptus branch.
Even at the time of the end of the year holidays, the Scandinavian style retains its essence: “Less is more”. Rather than increasing the number of decorations, choose a few remarkable pieces, and avoid overloading at all costs. This simplicity also governs the wrapping of gifts: kraft paper and a spool of string are more than enough to do wonders!
If the tree occupies a place of choice in the Scandinavian Christmas decoration, everything is again a question of measure. Unlike the American Christmas decoration, there is no question of going overboard: on the contrary, we keep a light hand! Moreover, if we pay great attention to the choice of decorations, we avoid garlands, unless you opt for a very discreet light model.
If you don’t have them all on the tree, consider staging your Christmas decorations. Simply placed in a ceramic cup, or coiled under a glass bell, they will bring a little casual touch to your holiday decor.
A traditional touch
While simple, Nordic Christmas decoration is not without a traditional touch. This also contributes to its charm!
Candles are essential for a successful Nordic Christmas decoration. Among the most iconic pieces, the crown candle holder and its contemporary variations, like this cross candle holder. It is placed both on the living room table and in the center of the table.
On New Year’s Eve, make way for conviviality around the table! We focus on a stoneware service with an artisanal spirit, which perfectly combines elegance and authenticity. If the ecru color is a classic, you can indulge yourself in a graphic mix and match, by associating it with a few black pieces.
To bring an extra soul to the Christmas table, dare the embroidery on your linen napkins! You can also do it yourself. Online tutorials are easy to find, and a few points are enough to work wonders.
On the fireplace or arranged on a tray as a centerpiece: wooden decorations remain essentials of Scandinavian Christmas decoration. We love traditional patterns such as the Christmas tree, which we prefer in a stylized version.
Biscuits, brioches, cakes… Scandinavian Christmas is a gourmet Christmas! But before taking a bite, we stage our creations. We therefore pay particular attention to the choice of dishes: it is about highlighting delicacies and desserts without stealing the limelight. From Denmark to Sweden to Norway, there are a number of recipes to experiment with. Among the tastiest: julekake, or “Christmas bread”, a brioche cake with fruit, succulent… and decorative!