Embrace the simplicity and warmth of Nordic style with these DIY Scandinavian Christmas decorations! This collection offers tutorials for classic Scandinavian crafts like woven hearts, paper stars, wooden ornaments, straw Yule goats, felt gnomes, and more. Inspired by Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Danish traditions, these projects use natural materials and minimalist design – perfect for handmade holiday decor with hygge appeal.
Get ready for a Nordic adventure wrapped in tinsel and fairy lights! Our DIY Scandinavian Christmas Decorations are a delightful mashup inspired by the heartwarming cultures of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. And we’ve added a sprinkle of Finnish magic, too – because while it’s not technically Scandinavian, it’s 100% Nordic, and we’re all about that festive flair.
Confused? Don’t fret! While all Scandinavian nations are nestled under the broader Nordic umbrella, not all Nordic countries are Scandinavian. I’m not trying to play Santa with your geographical knowledge, but I know the difference matters to some. (Like my fiercely proud Norwegian mother-in-law!)
Speaking of which, ever experienced a Norwegian Christmas? Thanks to my amazing mother-in-law, I’ve had the pleasure. Across Scandinavia, the main bash is on Christmas Eve.
Envision decorating the tree, feasting by candlelight, and then (the best part) unwrapping gifts. And those decorations? They ooze Scandinavian charm. Think hearts, straw ornaments, heaps of candles, and of course, those flag garlands. Because let’s be honest, what’s a Scandinavian tree without its national flags dancing around?
Now, here’s a holiday trivia tidbit for your next Christmas party: ‘Christmas’ is “Jul” in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, “Jól” in Iceland, and “Joulu” in Finland. And if you want to impress someone with a Norwegian festive greeting, it’s “God Jul“.
Oh, before you go, take a peek at Pictureboxblue. They’ve curated a dazzling collection of free vintage Scandinavian Christmas cards. Many of them sport the cheerful “God Jul” on the front – a delightful touch to any festive occasion!

The Scandinavian Christmas Decorations and Craft Ideas
Ready to deck the halls with a touch of Scandinavian magic? Dive into these tutorials tailor-made for Christmas crafts sprinkled with that Nordic allure.
Get ready to meet some iconic figures of Scandinavian Yuletide – the playful gnomes and the legendary Christmas goats! The Yule goat, a beloved Scandinavian Christmas emblem, is often spotted as a straw ornament adorning Swedish trees.
And those adorable bearded gnomes you’ve seen popping up in recent years? They’ve got their roots deep in Scandinavian legends. Known as Nisse in Norwegian and Danish and Tomte in Swedish, these festive friends bring gifts and joy on Christmas Eve right to your doorstep!
What gives these crafts their Scandi charm? It’s the mix of simplicity, earthy tones, and the embrace of natural materials like wood and wool. Many of these crafts are genius upcycles, making them both budget-friendly and eco-conscious. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just love trying something new, there’s bound to be a craft here that sparks your festive spirit.
Scandinavian Christmas Crafts You'll Want To Make
From wooden ornaments to simple wreaths, DIY Scandinavian Christmas decorations are all about celebrating the season in style. Explore our favorites now!
Scandi Felt Christmas Trees
This cute forest has all the elements of a Scandinavian Christmas decoration: Simple design, neutral colours, and natural textures of wool and wood.
Upcycled Scandi Woven Hearts Garland
Hearts are a cherished Scandinavian Christmas decoration, especially these woven variants. Discover a paper rendition of this craft within our collection of paper Christmas crafts.
Wine Cork Star
You can make this gorgeous Christmas star from all the wine corks left after making drinking Scandinavian Glögg.
Mini Wooden Houses - Christmas Cloche
I'm digging this, having your own miniature Scandinavian village in a cloche on your mantle.
Marimekko Nordic Christmas Decorations
Marimekko is probably the most famous Nordic textile design company. These Nordic decorations were made with natural wood slices and paper napkin decoupage.
DIY Scandinavian Wood Ornament
Create these easy DIY Scandinavian Wood Ornaments for a quick and personalized DIY hostess gift.
Cute Norwegian Christmas Gnomes
No sewing is required to make these cute Norwegian gnomes. They are called Nisse in Norwegian and Danish and Tomte in Swedish.
Swedish Paper Hearts
This is the paper version of the woven hearts. They are also little hanging baskets that can be filled with treats.
Homemade Fire Starters
Inspired by Charm shares these gorgeous homemade fire starters, made with beeswax and natural materials - the perfect blend of cozy and practical. They capture that true Scandinavian hygge feeling, bringing warmth, comfort, and simple beauty to your Christmas crafting.
Painted Acorn Christmas Decoration
Real acorns are painted with simple Scandinavian patterns to make a lovely Christmas garland.
Upcycle Packaging Into A Gingerbread Garland
Another Scandinavian village, this time hanging in a garland. Also, this repurposed cardboard Christmas craft costs almost nothing to make. You might want to try the leather version of this craft for a more expensive look.
Simple Felt Woodland Animal Christmas Ornaments
These felt woodland animal Christmas ornaments are delightfully simple and charming. With just felt, embroidery thread, and minimal stitching, these cute bear, deer, and owl shapes make perfect additions to any Scandinavian-style tree or as handmade gift toppers.
DIY Scandinavian Advent Calendar
A beautiful DIY Scandinavian advent calendar tutorial that blends simplicity, natural materials, and clean lines—perfect for Nordic styling. Each clay star is stamped and hung from wooden dowels, creating a festive countdown display with Scandinavian charm and minimalist appeal.
How To Make A Stylish Scandinavian Christmas Tree
The ones in the uber-cool Scandinavian interiors store Scandium inspired this simple alternative Christmas tree.
Denim Dala Horse Ornament
Dala horses are a classic Swedish decoration. They have been given a rustic look with this stencilled denim version (Check out these other denim Christmas DIYs).
Scandinavian Tomte Christmas Elf Ornament Tutorial
The Swedes call their little gnomes Tomte. This is a tutorial to make a cute little Tomte ornament or present topper.
Scrap wood Scandinavian Christmas Tree
The tall bits of wood were looking Scandi already but the white stickers took them to another level.
Handmade Felt Christmas Ornaments
The neutral colours and the simple stitching on felt give these Christmas embroidered ornaments that Scandi feel.
How to Make A Pinecone Heart Ornament (Video Tutorial)
Hearts are an essential part of Scandinavian Christmas decorations. These cute pine cone hearts fit in well with a Scandinavian theme, as they are a simple Christmas nature craft.
DIY Wood Beaded Star Ornament
DIY Candy’s wood bead star ornament tutorial captures the simplicity and elegance of Scandinavian Christmas design. Made from natural wooden beads, these stars are easy to assemble and look beautiful on the tree or hung as minimalist holiday décor.
Handmade Clothespin Snowflakes
Inspired by Charm’s handmade clothespin snowflakes turn simple household items into charming Nordic-style ornaments. With a few clothespins and glue, you can craft delicate snowflakes that reflect the minimalist, cozy aesthetic of Scandinavian Christmas décor
DIY Christmas Sweater Ornaments
Charming DIY Christmas sweater ornaments, made from stamped clay to mimic cozy Nordic patterns — a playful take on Scandinavian holiday motifs. These little sweater shapes echo classic Nordic knit design, making them a fun, handmade touch in your Scandinavian-inspired Christmas collection.
Beautiful Nordic Inspired Christmas Ornaments
Most things in miniature look cute, and these hanging plant ornaments are no exception.
DIY Scandinavian Style Metal Holiday Tree Accents
These metal trees look cold and frosty like a Norwegian forest in winter.
DIY a Rustic Wooden Reindeer Family
My favourite kind of Christmas craft made from upcycled scraps. I love this little herd of reindeer.
DIY Yarn Wrapped Yule Goat
This is a fun, colourful Scandinavian Christmas craft and a great one for the kids to do. You just need some wool scraps for this easy yarn craft.
Potato Stamp Tea Towels: Easy & Inexpensive DIY Gifts
Extend the Scandinavian theme into the kitchen with these gorgeous printed tea towels.
Beautiful Air Dry Clay Candle Holder
Candles are a big part of Scandinavian Christmas decor; these marbled air-dry clay candle holders look great on the Christmas table.
Mitten Ornament - Free Pattern
These cute mini mitten ornaments have a Scandinavian vibe. Check out these other Christmas sewing patterns.
DIY Hygge Candles
“Life-n-Reflection’s DIY hygge candles bring Danish coziness straight into your home. Candles are a must in a true hygge Christmas. These handmade candle ideas blend simple materials, soft light, and a warm glow to amplify that Nordic sense of comfort and calm during the festive season.
DIY Driftwood Christmas Tree
With its simple pared-back look, this tree has a Scandinavian feel.
DIY Christmas Bead Garland
A simple natural wood bead garland wood looks great on any Christmas tree
Scandinavian Village Scrap Wood Houses
No Scandinavian Christmas mantle is complete without a village of snowcapped houses.
Easy DIY Christmas Pillow with No Sew Velvet Trees
A clever 30-minute no-sew velvet tree pillow tutorial that turns velvet ribbons into Christmas tree silhouettes on throw pillows. It’s a stylish, simple way to bring texture and festive flair to your home décor this season.
Scandinavian Crochet Pattern Advent Calendar
Inspired by beautiful holiday decor in Scandinavia, the Scandinavian Advent Calendar boasts elegant geometric trees and coordinated cross-stitch numbers. This crochet masterpiece is a décor highlight and features 24 pockets. Fill them with candies and treats, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited Christmas Eve.
How To Make A Decoupage Baubles Decoration
This is a fun alternative Christmas decoration. Use Marimekko paper napkins to make some decoupage bauble flowers.
DIY Wooden Christmas Tree
Use small natural wood slices to make Scandinavian-style tabletop Christmas trees for your mantle.
Make Your Own Simple Yarn Christmas Wreath
This simple wreath reminds me of a snowy Norwegian forest.
Minimalist Geometric Ornaments
These handmade ornaments tick several boxes for Scandinavian Christmas decor, simple minimalist design and made with natural materials.
DIY Advent Candles
Advent candles are a cherished Scandinavian Christmas tradition, and this post guides you through crafting your own.
FROEBEL Paper Stars
These woven Nordic paper stars may look challenging, but don't worry; there is an easy-to-follow video tutorial.
How To Make A DIY Branch Christmas Tree
Collect some branches from the garden or woods and tie them into a simple rustic Christmas tree; stand the tree in a pot or hang it flat against the wall.
Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments
Use cookie cutters for these simple shaped upcycled Christmas ornaments. The heart and moose are particularly Nordic-inspired.
Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments 5 Different Ways
Another set of simple Nordic-style Christmas ornaments made with cookie cutters, this time with air-dry clay.
Scandinavian Inspired Paper Village
These paper house advent tea-light decorations look like the Norwegian huts you see all over the Fjords.
Eucalyptus Wreath
Make a fresh wreath with eucalyptus leaves, moss and pine foliage for your decor.
Dala Horse Snowflakes | Moose Snowflakes | Snowman Snowflakes
Make paper snowflakes with a Scandinavian feel by cutting out moose and Dala horse shapes using this free pattern.
Norwegian Paper Angels Craft
Make a simple Norwegian angel garland with folded paper.
Paper Straw Stars
With a contemporary twist on the classic Scandi straw stars, these chic decorations are crafted from metallic paper straws and thread. They're ideal for sprucing up Christmas and other special occasions!
Wall Paper Stars
More Nordic stars for your walls are made from paper bags, with three designs to choose from.
If you enjoyed these DIY Scandinavian Christmas decorations, you would probably love this collection of Marimekko and Nordic-inspired crafts.
There is also a very cute Scandinavian Halloween felt craft here.

DeAnna Cooley
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
I'm trying some of the scandanavian traditions ,I found out this past year my grandpas family is from Sweden ,but I'm also in love with the knomes and I'm trying to find a traditional knome for my home .
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
I have some Norwegian gnomes in the list, which are very similar to the Swedish ones. My in-laws are from Norway and I have Norwegian ancestry which is probably partly why I love the Scandinavian asthetic.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Wednesday 2nd of December 2020
These are all so wonderful I can't pick a favorite. Thanks for sharing the traditions of other countries and these beautiful decorations. #HomeMattersParty
Claire Armstrong
Friday 4th of December 2020
Thank you, there is something about Scandinavian Christmas decorations, the Scandis just does them so well.
Michelle Leslie
Saturday 21st of November 2020
What a lovely collection of Skandi decorations Claire. Isn't it wonderful how we're all starting to appreciate meaningful and often homemade Christmas decorations again.
Claire Armstrong
Saturday 21st of November 2020
Thank you, Michelle. Homemade decorations are always my favorite, often there is a story behind them or they have some special meaning.
Allyson
Friday 20th of November 2020
So many great diy projects for inspiration ~ my favorites are the marimekko decor and the gingerbread garland!
Claire Armstrong
Saturday 21st of November 2020
Thank you, Allyson. I think if Marimekko is in the mix then it will always be my favorite!