How to Embrace Scandi-Style this Festive Season as a Christian
While the concept of hygge is often associated with coziness and simplicity, some Christians may feel conflicted about its focus on self-care and self-indulgence.
But embracing a Scandinavian-inspired Christmas doesn’t mean losing sight of the true spirit of the season. Instead, it’s about simplicity, natural beauty, and warmth—creating a space where you and your loved ones can gather comfortably.
Here are 12 ways to bring Scandi-style Christmas decor into your home while keeping the true meaning of the festive season intact!
1. Natural Wood Elements
Natural woods are essential to creating an authentic Scandi Christmas aesthetic. Incorporate them through decorations like wooden ornaments, candle holders, or trays. These elements add a sense of warmth and connection to nature.
Create the look:
- Wooden Ornaments – Add rustic, minimalist wooden ornaments like stars, hearts, or reindeer to your tree for a natural touch.
- Wooden Advent Calendar – Opt for a wooden advent calendar with drawers or slots, bringing warmth and tradition into your Christmas countdown.
- Wooden Candle Holders – Line your mantel or dining table with natural wood candle holders for understated elegance.
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2. Real (or Realistic) Christmas Trees
Scandinavian Christmas decor often features real Christmas trees for their authentic beauty. If maintaining a real tree isn’t feasible, a high-quality faux tree with realistic needles is a great alternative.
Create the look:
- Fresh Pine Christmas Tree – A real tree brings the unmistakable scent of pine and a sense of outdoor authenticity.
- Realistic Faux Pine Tree – Faux trees can offer the same aesthetic without the maintenance. Look for one with lifelike branches.
- Basket – For a true Scandi feel, place your tree in a woven basket for a rustic and elegant touch.
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3. Minimalist Christmas Decorations
The beauty of Scandinavian decor lies in its simplicity. Keep your holiday decor clean and minimalist by focusing on key elements in soft, neutral tones and natural textures.
Create the look:
- White Matte Ornaments – Simple white or matte silver ornaments add elegance without overwhelming the space.
- Natural Burlap Tree Skirt – Opt for a natural fabric tree skirt like linen or burlap for an organic and minimalist touch.
- Matte Glass Baubles – Keep the color palette soft with glass baubles in neutral or muted shades.
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4. Gnomes and Mushroom Ornaments
Gnomes (also called “nisse”) and whimsical mushroom ornaments are popular in Scandinavian folklore and Christmas decor. These charming figures add a playful yet understated element to your holiday decorations.
Create the look:
- Christmas Gnomes – Place small gnome figurines on your mantel or under the tree for a fun, festive touch.
- Mushroom Ornaments – Add red and white mushroom-shaped ornaments to your tree for a hint of woodland charm.
- Gnome-Themed Stockings – Hang cute gnome-themed stockings on the mantel for a playful yet cozy look.
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5. Dried Citrus Garlands
Instead of traditional tinsel, use dried citrus garlands to bring natural color and texture to your Christmas tree. The bright oranges also add a fragrant, festive scent.
Create the look:
- Dried Orange Garland – String together dried orange slices for a simple yet eye-catching decoration.
- Citrus and Cinnamon Garland – Pair dried citrus with cinnamon sticks for a natural, fragrant garland that enhances your tree or mantel.
- Dried Citrus Slices – Hang individual dried orange slices directly on the tree for a rustic and natural effect, or place in bowls for a subtle fragrance.
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6. Cozy Textiles in Neutral Tones
Embrace the cozy side of Scandi decor with soft textiles in neutral tones like whites, greys, and beiges. These warm, understated fabrics create a calm and inviting atmosphere.
Create the look:
- Chunky Knit Blankets – Drape a large, soft knit blanket over your couch for warmth and coziness.
- Wool Throw Pillows – Add wool pillows in neutral shades to your living room to create a hygge-inspired space.
- Linen Table Runner – A neutral linen table runner will complement your holiday table while keeping the aesthetic minimal and refined.
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7. Handmade Felt Decorations
Felt decorations bring a soft and tactile element to your Christmas decor. Handmade felt garlands, ornaments, and stockings are a staple of Scandi-style Christmas decor.
Create the look:
- Felt Ball Garlands – Drape colorful felt ball garlands on your tree or mantel for a whimsical touch.
- Felt Ornaments – Choose felt ornaments in traditional shapes like stars and hearts for a cozy, handmade feel.
- Felt Stockings – Hang soft felt stockings on your mantel for a simple, minimalist look.
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8. Candlelit Christmas Displays
Candles are an integral part of Scandinavian winter decor, bringing warmth and light to the long, dark nights. Create clusters of candles throughout your home for a glowing, welcoming ambiance.
Create the look:
- Pillar Candles in Clusters – Group white or cream pillar candles in varying sizes on your table or mantel to create a soft glow.
- Tea Light Holders – Use glass or metal holders for tea lights to spread warmth and light throughout your home.
- Lanterns with Candles – Place lanterns with pillar candles in your entryway or by the fireplace for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
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9. Simple Scandi Christmas Tablescapes
Scandi Christmas tablescapes focus on simplicity and natural materials. A neutral-toned table with wooden accents and natural greenery makes for an elegant yet understated setting.
Create the look:
- Linen Napkins and Tablecloths – Use neutral linen napkins and a matching tablecloth for a clean, minimalist table setting.
- Wooden Chargers – Add rustic wooden chargers to your table for a Scandinavian-inspired touch.
- Greenery Centerpiece – A simple centerpiece made from fresh pine, eucalyptus, and candles will tie the look together beautifully.
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10. Scandinavian Hospitality
One of the key aspects of Scandinavian culture is their emphasis on hospitality, especially during the holidays. Inviting guests into a warm, welcoming home with thoughtful touches is a hallmark of the season. From cozy seating areas to homemade treats, Scandinavian hospitality is all about creating a space where people feel comfortable and cared for.
Create the look:
- Cozy Seating Nooks – Arrange soft blankets, cushions, and fur throws in a corner for guests to relax and unwind in a cozy setting.
- Hot Beverage Station – Set up a hot chocolate or coffee station with beautiful mugs, warm beverages, and festive treats to welcome visitors.
- Handmade Holiday Treats – Offer guests traditional Scandinavian snacks, like spiced cookies or mulled wine, served in wooden trays or simple ceramic dishes.
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11. Paper Star Decorations
Paper star decorations are a beloved tradition in Scandinavian homes. These lightweight stars can be used as tree toppers or hung in windows to add a magical, glowing touch.
Create the look:
- Hanging Paper Stars – Large paper stars hung in windows create a stunning, glowing display.
- Paper Star Tree Topper – Use one of your delicate paper star as your tree topper for a simple and elegant finish.
- Paper Star Garlands – Create a garland of smaller paper stars to drape across your mantel or staircase.
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12. Scent Your Space
Scandinavian Christmas decor isn’t just about visuals—it’s about creating a multi-sensory experience. Handcrafted spiced ornaments and simmer pots fill your home with the inviting scent of citrus, cinnamon, and clove. These add a rustic, earthy touch while making your space smell like Christmas.
What you’ll need:
- Cinnamon and Clove Ornaments – Make your own spiced ornaments using cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to hang on the tree.
- Dried Grapefruit Slice Ornaments – Use dried grapefruit slices to create beautiful, fragrant ornaments with a slight twist on the traditional orange and lemon ornaments that are more common.
- Edible Christmas Tree Decorations – Try this recipe from Nigella Lawson’s Christmas recipe book for edible Christmas tree decorations to create highly spiced ornaments that fill your home with festive aromas.
- Cheat and Grab a Festive Room Spray! – Sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day to do all the things, right?! So don’t worry if you don’t always have time to scent your space with old fashioned ways – just grab a festive room spray and you’re good to go!
Ideas for Simmer Pots:
- Orange and Cinnamon Simmer Pot – Simmer a pot of water with sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, and cloves for a cozy, festive scent.
- Apple and Spice Simmer Pot – Add apple slices, star anise, and nutmeg for a sweet, warming aroma.
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The Takeaway
Scandi-style Christmas decor offers a beautiful blend of simplicity, natural materials, and festive warmth. From natural wood elements and cozy textiles to the scents of cinnamon and citrus, you can embrace this serene and peaceful holiday aesthetic while keeping the true spirit of Christmas
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We’d love to hear from you – what are your favorite Scandi-Christmas tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
