Scandinavian Christmas Decor: 14 Cozy Handmade Ideas That Cost Almost Nothing

Scandinavian Christmas decor feels like a deep breath after a busy day. Instead of piles of plastic and flashing colors, Nordic homes use simple natural materials: straw, wood, felt and fresh greenery, mostly in red, white and soft neutrals. The result is calm, warm and very cozy, and the best part is that most of it is handmade and costs very little. A felt ornament video in this style recently passed 11 million views in under two weeks, so you are in good company. If you are tired of the usual red and green plastic, these ideas will make your home feel like a little cabin in the snow..

Scandinavian Christmas Decor on a Birch Branch

One birch branch hung on a white wall and dressed with felt hearts, straw stars and a wooden bead garland is the whole Nordic look in one small corner. It is simple, natural and calm, and it costs almost nothing. Videos of traditional Scandinavian felt ornaments have been watched millions of times, because this style is easy to make and lovely to live with. Pick up a fallen branch on your next walk and start there. Which wall in your home could hold a branch like this..

You will need: a birch or other bare branch, twine, removable hooks, a few felt, straw and wooden ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Clean and dry the branch. 2. Hang it level on the wall with twine and two hooks. 3. Tie ornaments along it at different lengths.

Felt Heart Ornaments With Blanket Stitch

Red and white felt hearts stitched around the edge with a simple blanket stitch are the classic Nordic ornament. Cut two hearts, stitch them together with a little stuffing inside, and add a loop of twine. They are soft, child safe and look lovely on a tree or tied to gifts. Felt hearts are the easiest Scandinavian Christmas decor to start with. Make a dozen while watching a holiday movie. Will you make yours red, white or both?

You will need: red and white wool felt, embroidery floss, needle, a little stuffing, twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two matching hearts for each ornament. 2. Blanket stitch around the edge, adding stuffing before you close it. 3. Stitch a twine loop at the top.

Felt Mitten Ornaments

Tiny felt mittens with a simple embroidered snowflake look like they came from a cabin in Norway. Cut the mitten shapes, stitch on a little white design, sew the edges and add a cuff. Hang them in pairs on the tree or on a garland. They also make sweet gift toppers. How many pairs will you make?

You will need: red, white and gray felt, embroidery floss, needle, twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two mitten shapes per ornament and a small cuff. 2. Stitch a snowflake or cross design on the front. 3. Sew the edges and add a twine loop.

Scandinavian Christmas Decor Classic: Golden Straw Stars

Straw stars are one of the oldest Scandinavian Christmas decor traditions. Soak natural straw so it bends, lay pieces in a star pattern and tie them together with red thread. They glow golden in the tree lights and weigh almost nothing. Once you learn the pattern you can make all sizes. Have you ever worked with straw before?

You will need: natural craft straw, a bowl of warm water, red cotton thread, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Soak the straw for 30 minutes and flatten it. 2. Lay four or more straws crossing in the center. 3. Weave red thread around the center and tie the points in pairs.

A Little Straw Goat

The Swedish straw goat, the julbock, is a cheerful old Christmas symbol, and no piece of Scandinavian Christmas decor is more traditional. A small one made from bundled straw and red ribbon looks perfect under the tree or on a side table. Start with a bundle for the body, bend smaller bundles for legs, head and horns, and tie everything with red thread. Will you make a mini one for the tree or a big one for the floor?

You will need: natural straw, red thread or thin ribbon, scissors, a bowl of water.

How to make it: 1. Soak the straw and make a thick bundle for the body. 2. Fold and tie smaller bundles for the legs, neck, head and horns. 3. Wrap red ribbon around each joint.

Himmeli Geometric Ornaments

Himmeli are airy geometric shapes made from straws threaded together. They come from Finland and look modern and old fashioned at once. Use paper or real straw, thread it into a diamond shape and hang it in a window where it slowly turns. It is calm, quiet work for a winter evening. Which window would you hang one in?

You will need: paper or natural straws, a long needle, strong thread, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut straws into equal lengths. 2. Thread four straws into a square and tie it. 3. Add straws to form a diamond, then hang it with thread.

Scandinavian Christmas Decor in Red and White: A Felt Garland

A long garland of red and white felt balls or hearts looks bright and happy on a mantel, a shelf or the tree. Thread them on twine with a few wooden beads between them. It is a perfect project for kids to help with. Hang it across a window and it looks like a Nordic shop display. Where would your garland hang?

You will need: red and white felt balls or felt hearts, a large needle, twine, wooden beads.

How to make it: 1. Thread a felt ball or heart on the twine. 2. Add a wooden bead and repeat the pattern. 3. Knot both ends and hang it.

Scandinavian Christmas Decor With Wooden Beads

A simple wooden bead garland on the tree is a soft alternative to tinsel. Natural wood looks warm against green branches and goes with any color. Add a few red beads or tiny felt balls for a pop of color. It lasts for years, and it is safe around kids and pets. How long would your garland need to be?

You will need: natural wooden beads in two sizes, jute twine, a few red beads or felt balls.

How to make it: 1. Cut a long piece of twine. 2. String the beads in a simple repeating pattern. 3. Tie loops at the ends and drape it on the tree.

Scrap Wood Christmas Tree Wall Hanging

Thin wood strips cut to different lengths and tied together on a twine ladder make a tree shaped wall hanging. Put the longest piece at the bottom and the shortest at the top, and add a little star. Hang a few tiny ornaments on it. It is perfect for small spaces where a full tree does not fit. Which wall needs a little tree?

You will need: thin wood strips or branches, a saw (adult only), twine, a drill (adult), small ornaments, a wooden star.

How to make it: 1. Cut wood pieces from long to short. 2. Drill holes at both ends or tie twine around each piece. 3. Stack them on the twine from longest to shortest and add a star on top.

Scandinavian Christmas Decor for the Door: A White Twig Wreath

Bundle bare twigs into a circle, paint them white and you have a wreath that looks like frost on a branch. Add a small red felt heart or a straw star for a touch of color. It is free if you collect the twigs yourself, and it looks wonderful on a front door or above a bed. Where would you hang a frosty wreath?

You will need: bare twigs, a wire wreath ring, florist wire, white chalk paint or spray paint (adult, outdoors), a felt heart or straw star.

How to make it: 1. Wire small bundles of twigs around the ring. 2. Paint everything white and let it dry. 3. Tie on a felt heart or straw star and a hanging loop.

Painted Wooden Horse Ornament

The painted wooden horse is a beloved Swedish folk art symbol, and a small hand painted one makes a charming ornament. Cut a simple horse shape from thin wood or buy plain blanks, paint them red and add white and blue folk patterns. They make lovely gifts too, and they add instant Scandinavian Christmas decor charm to any tree. Would you paint a classic red horse or try blue?

You will need: thin wooden horse blanks, red, white, blue and green acrylic paint, fine brushes, twine.

How to make it: 1. Paint the horse red and let it dry. 2. Add a simple folk pattern with white, blue and green dots and swirls. 3. Seal it and add a twine loop.

Scandinavian Christmas Decor Under the Tree: A Linen Skirt

A simple linen tree skirt with a few red embroidered snowflakes or a cross stitch border looks soft and timeless. Cut a large circle from linen, hem the edge and add simple stitches. It frames the bottom of the tree without loud colors. If you do not sew much, glue on a felt border instead. Would you choose white or natural linen?

You will need: a large piece of linen, red embroidery floss, needle, scissors, iron.

How to make it: 1. Cut a large circle with a slit and a small center hole. 2. Hem the edges. 3. Embroider simple snowflakes or a border in red.

Gingham Bows on Bare Branches

A vase of bare branches tied with little red and white gingham bows is Scandinavian Christmas decor at its simplest. It is perfect for a dining table, an entry or a nightstand. The bows add color without clutter, and you can swap them for hearts in February. It costs a few dollars and takes minutes. Where would a vase of branches look best?

You will need: bare branches, a tall vase, red and white gingham ribbon, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Arrange the branches in the vase. 2. Cut short pieces of ribbon. 3. Tie small bows along the branches.

Advent Branch With Little Felt Pockets

Hang 24 tiny felt pockets from a branch and fill each one with a small treat or a note for every day of Advent. It is a sweet Nordic twist on an Advent calendar and doubles as decor. Number the pockets with simple stitches or wooden tags. For more countdown ideas, see our DIY Advent calendars. What would you tuck into pocket number one?

You will need: a branch, red, white and gray felt, needle and thread, small wooden tags, twine, small treats or notes.

How to make it: 1. Cut and sew 24 small felt pockets. 2. Add a number to each with stitches or a wooden tag. 3. Hang them from the branch with twine and fill them.