10 Simple Scandinavian-Style Christmas DIYs

Scandinavian Christmas decor is all about keeping things simple: natural greenery, warm wood, neutral colors, and handmade details that make a home feel festive without…

Scandinavian Christmas decor is all about keeping things simple: natural greenery, warm wood, neutral colors, and handmade details that make a home feel festive without overwhelming it.

Better still, you don’t need weeks of preparation to get the look. These Scandinavian-inspired Christmas DIYs use just a handful of materials and can be put together relatively quickly, making them ideal for last-minute decorating or an afternoon of Christmas crafting with the kids.

1. Tiny star wall hanging

This delicate wall hanging combines miniature stars with a natural branch for a simple piece of Christmas decor. Make the stars as large or small as you like.

Materials

• Small branch or stick
• Twine
• Fishing line or white thread
• Paper, white polymer clay, or salt dough
• Scissors

1. Make the stars

Cut or shape a collection of stars from your chosen material. Create several sizes if you want a more varied appearance.

2. Attach the stars

Tie each star to a length of fishing line or white thread. Vary the lengths so the stars hang at different heights.

3. Assemble the hanging

Tie the threads along the branch, then attach a piece of twine to either end of the branch to create a hanger.

2. Rosemary Christmas star

Fresh rosemary adds both greenery and fragrance to this simple Christmas decoration.

• Craft sticks
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks

1. Create the star

Arrange the craft sticks into a star shape and glue the overlapping points together.

2. Add the rosemary

Trim rosemary sprigs to fit each section and glue them over the craft sticks until the structure is concealed.

3. Scandinavian plywood Christmas sign

Create a minimalist wooden sign featuring a traditional Christmas greeting or any festive message you prefer.

• Piece of plywood
• Printer and paper
• White paint
• Paintbrush or fine detailing brush

1. Choose your message

Print your chosen Christmas greeting in a simple font at the appropriate size for your plywood.

2. Transfer and paint

Use the printout as a guide to transfer the lettering onto the wood, then carefully fill it in with white paint. Allow it to dry completely before displaying.

4. Minimal Christmas gift tags

Simple white or kraft-paper tags paired with twine are an easy way to bring Scandinavian style to Christmas presents.

• Cardstock
• Printer, optional
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Twine

1. Make the tags

Print a minimalist gift-tag design onto cardstock, or cut your own tags and add simple Christmas designs or lettering by hand.

2. Add twine

Punch a hole near the top of each tag and thread through a short piece of twine before attaching it to your gift.

5. Twig stars for gift wrapping

Turn tiny twigs into decorative stars that can be tucked underneath the ribbon or twine on wrapped presents.

• Thin twigs
• Twine
• Brown kraft paper
• Fresh greenery
• Scissors

1. Make the star

Arrange small twigs into a star and secure the points with thin pieces of twine.

2. Decorate your gift

Wrap your present in brown paper and tie it with twine. Tuck in a sprig of greenery and attach the twig star on top.

You can also make an oversized version using branches, then wrap the finished star in string lights for a larger Christmas decoration.

6. Festive linen napkins

Natural fabric, greenery, and cinnamon make an understated Christmas table setting that takes only minutes to assemble.

• Linen or cotton napkins
• Twine
• Fresh greenery
• Cinnamon sticks

1. Fold the napkins

Fold or loosely roll each napkin into your preferred shape.

2. Add the decorations

Place a cinnamon stick and small sprig of greenery on top, then wrap twine around everything and tie it securely.

7. Minimal half wreath

Instead of covering an entire wreath frame with greenery, decorate only part of it for a more pared-back appearance.

• Wreath ring
• Fresh or faux greenery
• Floral wire or twine
• LED candle, optional

1. Attach the greenery

Arrange greenery over approximately half of the wreath ring and secure it with floral wire or twine.

2. Display

Hang the wreath as it is or incorporate it into a simple candle display. If positioning a candle near greenery, an LED flameless candle is the safer choice.

8. Greenery-filled Christmas ornaments

This may be the easiest project of all and requires only two basic materials.

• Clear fillable Christmas ornaments
• Fresh greenery

1. Prepare the greenery

Cut small pieces of evergreen or other seasonal foliage that will fit inside the ornaments.

2. Fill the ornaments

Open each ornament and carefully insert a few pieces of greenery. Replace the top and hang the ornament on your tree.

9. Geometric Christmas tree ornaments

These simple geometric ornaments add a subtle metallic touch to a minimalist Christmas tree.

• Small brass jewelry connectors
• White cotton thread or twine

1. Cut the thread

Cut a short length of white cotton thread or twine for each ornament.

2. Create a hanging loop

Thread it through the top of the jewelry connector and tie the ends together to create a loop.

3. Hang the ornaments

Hang the finished geometric ornaments from the branches of your Christmas tree.

10. Minimalist greenery candle bottles

Finish with a simple centerpiece combining glass, water, greenery, and candlelight.

• Clear glass bottles
• Winter greenery
• Water
• Taper candles

1. Add the greenery

Place a small branch or sprig of winter greenery inside each glass bottle.

2. Fill with water

Pour water into the bottle, leaving enough room at the top to prevent it from overflowing.

3. Add the candle

Fit a taper candle securely into the neck of each bottle. Keep the greenery well away from the flame and never leave burning candles unattended.

Scandinavian-style Christmas decorating doesn’t require elaborate supplies or complicated projects. Simple materials such as twigs, greenery, twine, linen, and glass can create decorations that feel festive while still maintaining a clean, natural look.

Choose one or two projects for a quick seasonal update, or make several and carry the same pared-back style from your Christmas tree and gifts to your table and walls.