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…
by Dev Malhotra • Oct 3, 2026 • 5 min read
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.