Although the end result always looks spontaneous and natural, Scandinavians take their Christmas decorating seriously. While each nation has a slightly different approach, the common emphasis is on natural elements like wood, flowers, and greenery, as well as many hues like pastels and greys and metals like gold and silver. The aim is to get elegant and fairy-like décor that blends well with the rest of the interior while still announcing the holiday season.
So, if your festive style is more paired back and aesthetically calming than the usual flashy red and green holiday bomb, then you’re going to love the following popular Scandinavian decorations. Pick your favourite pieces by iconic Nordic design houses like Georg Jensen and Royal Copenhagen, get a fire going and pretend for a moment that you are living in the Norwegian or Swedish cabin of your dreams.
Let Your Tree Shine with Traditional Danish Ornaments by Georg Jensen
The tree is, of course, the focal point of any Scandinavian holiday décor. Most families in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, typically bring in and decorate their Christmas tree the day before Christmas Eve. But assuming you’ll want to prepare ahead of time, this is what you’ll find on a classic Scandinavian tree: ribbons, white lights, and a few elegant silver or gold-plated traditional ornaments.
And when it comes to ornaments, each year Scandinavians eagerly anticipate the Georg Jensen Christmas collection. The iconic Nordic design house creates limited-edition Danish tree ornaments made of silver and gold-plated silver. Some like to stick to just one metal, but mixing them up helps you achieve that spontaneous Scandi aesthetic.
Georg Jensen’s classic Scandinavian designs have delighted and enchanted people with their ageless blend of artistry, functionality, and beauty since 1904. Simple and traditional, the range of Georg Jensen Christmas decorations concentrates on geometric forms like hearts, angels, trees, and stars. The glossy appearance and unmistakable quality contrast sharply with the green needles of the tree.
Besides hanging ornaments, the design house is well-known for its iconic tree topper. The Georg Jensen Christmas tree star is a beautiful, intricate work of art. It’s a holiday item that people pass down from generation to generation, so buy one and bring it out every year. It will literally be the star of the show!
While Georg Jensen Christmas tree ornaments can be expensive since they’re gold and silver plated, you don’t need many to capture the essence of Scandinavian Christmas. For a genuine hygge-like holiday feel, it’s best to use twinkly accents sparingly and mindfully to showcase the beauty of the tree’s natural branches.
You can also save up by buying the lovely pieces from last year’s collections which you can usually find for a lower price. Tree ornaments have no expiry date, and for most people, it makes no difference whether the designs are from 2022 or 2021.
But regardless of which year the pieces are from, all Georg Jensen Christmas decorations last a lifetime and can become precious heirlooms that get passed down to make families happy for years to come.
Bring a Noble Feel to the Christmas Table with Royal Copenhagen China
Scandinavians spend a lot of time setting the table for Christmas. It’s all about establishing a comfortable, lovely, and unpretentious atmosphere that makes you want to relax and enjoy yourself.
The iconic Royal Copenhagen blue and white plates have become a traditional part of Scandinavian tables on Christmas Eve. The porcelain company first introduced these plates in 1908, and they are only made for one season before the mould is formally retired on Christmas Eve. They feature important locations and scenery from Denmark and are blue and white.
Every Royal Copenhagen collectable has a unique backstory that reveals a profound passion for the legacy of fine craftsmanship. Hundreds of tiny grooves, carvings, and engravings meticulously bring each motif to life; this requires the artist to be an absolute master of the medium.
In fact, the Christmas collectables are produced using some of the most difficult and sophisticated manufacturing processes out of all the products in the Royal Copenhagen line. It’s the best way to make a compelling story come to life.
Add Some Playful Holiday Vibes with Paper Ornaments by Nordstjerne
Nordstjerne ornaments made from handmade accordion paper are charming and simple to hang from a tree or just about the house. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other holiday decorations because they are available in various colours and shapes. These ornaments look particularly lovely draped across a window or suspended from trees.
Use Wooden Ornaments by Spring Copenhagen for a Raw, Natural Touch
This design house is famous for its simple, distinctive, practical and lovely wooden home accessories and gifts. But it’s the range of Christmas decorations that really stand out. The stunning wooden pieces by Spring Copenhagen are sometimes quirky but always stylish and make a wonderful addition to your home or as Christmas gifts.
Made of a combination of tactile beechwood and walnut, the one-of-a-kind Spring Copenhagen Christmas trees and snowmen are entirely handmade. They can be used as a toy for kids to develop their motor skills or as elegant Christmas house accessories.
Some Nordic Festive Decor Tips
Although a white background with silver or gold shine and splashes of colour is the traditional Scandinavian holiday colour scheme, don’t be afraid to get creative and make a place for your own personality and design aesthetic. Your palette should also take into account shading and texture.
A Scandinavian winter look should be as refreshing as a mountain breeze. A fantastic approach to achieve this natural-inspired atmosphere in Christmas decor is to include greenery. A boxwood wreath or garland decorated for the holidays is a traditional Swedish ornament.
And when you’re done decorating, don’t forget to add beautiful candlelight. Every Scandinavian home is illuminated with delicate, mellow candlelight during the long, chilly winters there. You can place them in a jar, dress them up with some pine branches, group them on a tray to accent the centrepiece of your table, or place them by the window to capture the tranquil holiday atmosphere.
Since the Scandinavian aesthetic is the one that is most in tune with nature, candlesticks that are shaped like tree branches or antlers are quite appreciated. And don’t just use candles in the living room. A particularly charming traditional Scandinavian aesthetic is tea lights on the dining room table.
However, remember to decorate sparingly and thoughtfully. You might also want to sprinkle in a few of your favourite ornaments (bright red and whites look great).
