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How to Make Gorgeous Nordic Christmas Decorations

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DIY Marimekko Nordic Christmas Decorations 2 Ways

After a visit to the lovely Skandium shop in London last month, I felt inspired to make my own Nordic Christmas decorations. As usual, I couldn’t leave the shop without buying yet another pack of Marimekko paper napkins.
 
 
Marimekko designs are a favourite of mine I love all colours and patterns. I have a bit of a habit of picking up a pack of their gorgeous paper napkins everytime a visit a Scandi interiors shop. Just because I don’t want to leave the shop empty handed!
 
 
Skandium Shop London
 
 
 
Last year I made some Marimekko Christmas wall art by decoupaging a whole table top in the napkins. This year’s Nordic Christmas decorations are a bit smaller but still look great on the wall.
 
 
The wood slices I used for these Christmas decorations were decoupaged on both sides. For one side of the wood slice, I used festive Marimekko Christmas tree napkins. On the other side, I decoupaged a variety of napkins in different colourways of Marimekko’s iconic Unikko pattern. I think the Unikko side isn’t just for Christmas but would look great on the wall all year round.
 
 
These Marimekko wood slices would also make great coasters. My boys haven’t done that training course on how to use a coaster! So, coasters are pretty redundant in my home. I’ll just hang them on the wall for a Nordic Christmas decoration.
 
 
DIY Nordic Christmas Decorations
 
 
 
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 
 
 

What you need to make Nordic Christmas decorations

 
 
 

How to make Nordic Christmas Decorations

  1. To add a bit of Christmas sparkle to the wood slices I added flecks of gold leaf to the bark around the outside. Brush the bark with some adhesive. Then using a brush, dab on small bits of gold leaf. Don’t worry if some gold leaf sticks to the face of the wood slice, this will only add to the Nordic decorations sparkle.

    2.  
     
    Adding gold leaf to wood slice bark
     
     
    Gold leaf on wood slices
     
     
     

  2. Next, decoupage the face of the wood slices with your chosen Marimekko paper napkin. Place the woodslice on the part of the napkin you would like to decoupage. Draw around the woodslice and then cut the shape from paper napkin. Cut a few millimeters inside the line you have drawn to allow for the bark edge.
     
     
    Cutting Marimekko napkin for decoupage.
     
     
     

  3. Marimekko paper napkins are 3 ply. You will need to remove 2 of the ply so that you are just left with the top printed ply. Cover the wood slice with decoupage glue and then carefully lay the printed napkin on top. I use a brush to flatten out the paper napkin as I stick it down.

    4.  
     
    Separating the ply napkin
     
     
    Decoupaged wood slice napkin
     
     
     

  4. Carry on decoupaging as many woodslices as you want with the Marimekko paper napkins. When the decoupage glue has dried add another coat of glue to the top of the wood slices to act as a sealer and varnish. (If you are going to use them as coasters rather than a decoration I suggest you use a waterproof sealer.)
     
     
    Marimekko Nordic Wood slice for a wall decoration or to use as coasters.
     
     
     

  5. Once one side, of the wood slice was dry I then decoupaged the other side with a different pattern.

    6.  
     
    Marimekko Nordic Wood slice for a wall decoration or to use as coasters.
     
     
     

    How To Hang The Nordic Christmas Decoration

  6. Drill a hole in each wood slice wide enough for the ribbon to pass through. Then use this ribbon to hang the decorations from a branch

 
 
Marimekko Nordic wall decoration
 
 
Marimekko Christmas trees Nordic wall decoration
 
 
 
I love the red and blue pine trees for a Nordic Christmas decoration. Just turn the wood slices around to the Unikko Marimekko poppy when you want a different Scandi wall decoration. The Unikko pattern is such a favourite of mine. I’m a bit obsessed with it, so much so I even have Marimekko stairs in my house!
 
 
Unikko Marimekko Nordic Christmas Decoration
 
 
DIY Wood slice Nordic Christmas Decorations
 
 
 
If you like this decoration then you will probably like some of my other Marimekko crafts and DIY’s.
 
Marimekko Christmas Wall Art
Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Marimekko Decoupage On Wood Bowls
Unique Marimekko Bench
 
 
For more wood slice crafts visit favecrafts.com
 
 

DIY Wood slice Nordic Christmas Decorations
DIY marimekko wood slice wall decoration
 
 
 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. As much as I hate to say it and I’m not wishing the year away at all but we had such a limbo Christmas in 2018 that i barely decorated at all and I’m looking forward to getting some DIY on. These are gorgeous! #HomeEtc X

    Reply

  6. Claire, your projects are always so original and clever!!! I absolutely love these nordic decorations, so beautiful and colourful and the best part it if you get bored of one side, flip it to the other side and voila – new decorations!!! You know I am a big fan!

    Reply

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