Thanks to the simple aesthetic of Scandinavian design, these adorable holiday decorations and treats are doable in just a few easy steps. So you can make them all with the kids!
1 – Finnish paper star – Reminiscent of Finland's holiday pastries known as "Finnish Christmas stars," this is an ornament version made from paper (image from Craftsy). To make these to adorn your home, here is a tutorial you can follow.
2 – Himmeli ornament – Another Finnish Christmas craft, Himmeli mobiles are usually hung above the dining table to ensure that the next year's crop would be plentiful. Here in ornament form, Himmeli are crafted from paper straws in a fun tutorial by What's Ur Home Story.
3 – Swedish gingerbread house – Straight out of a Nordic fairy tale, this darling cottage can grace your home Christmas display thanks to a recipe and decorating how-to from Tesco Real Food.
4 – Tomten garland – A great project for the kids, this paper garland features the mischievous gnomes known as tomten, said to watch over Swedish homes and farms. See how to craft this easy Christmas decoration via What Do We Do All Day.
6 – "Tomte partners" garland – In Swedish lore, the tomten or gnomes are often shown accompanied by a goat, a cat, a pig, and a horse. So this festive garland we found on Tinselbox features a parade of these animals in traditional Swedish Christmas red and white.
7 – Woven hearts – Crafting woven heart baskets for Christmas is a tradition in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark. You can fill them with treats for gift-giving or use them as tree ornaments, as shown on Sweater Doll.
8 – Modern DIY Scandinavian holiday wreath – Take inspiration from the minimalist style of Nordic countries to assemble a stylish Christmas wreath. For Rent created this simple stunner using an embroidery hoop, cuttings from an evergreen garland, and kraft papier mache stars.
9 – Swedish-inspired mini Christmas tree – Transform a faux tabletop tree into a bit of Sweden in your home – with just a few red and white stuffed ornaments (the sweater-knit ones are adorable!), a tin planter for a base, and a silver bow on top. Find this pretty creation over at Hello Lidy.
10 – Swedish Christmas cookies – Couldn't resist sneaking in these cookies among the crafts! They are a yuletide tradition in Sweden, after all, and so pretty with different colors of sanding sugar. Make your own with this recipe from Food Network.
It's been quite a holiday tour showcasing crafts from Mexico, Germany, Japan, and now Scandinavia. Up next for our last post in this series: Italy. Watch for it!