Nordic-inspired Christmas Table Styling
This is a post that I’ve been SO excited to write up, but had to wait until a socially acceptable time to publish, because well, we don’t want to peak too early Christmas-wise do we?! I feel that the end of November is okay, and if you’re anything like me, then you’ll like to be prepared when it comes to dressing your house for the festive season. We need time to shop for stuff like this, right?!
I’m also doubly excited, as the Festive table styling that I’ve done for this post, is the same as what I’ll be showcasing on Channel 4’s ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas’ in a few weeks time, so please do tune in (I’ll be letting everyone know on social media what date my segment will be shown, as soon as I know myself)! I’m competing against a couple of other lovely ladies during the show, but you’ll have to watch the show to see who romps home to table styling victory 😉
So, first things first- What is my theme all about?
Well, what I’m going for this year is what I call a ‘Nordic, Family-inspired theme’. My Sister-in-law, Johanna, is Swedish and is due to spend Christmas with us for the first time, along with my brother and baby niece, and I wanted to do something that would make her feel more at home! I also wanted the table to reflect the rest of our family, and some family history, so I used my Adam’s late Nan’s crockery, as the colours went well with the overall look, and it’s a set that we actually use on a day-to-day basis. My Mum also dug out some tiny Nordic-themed wooden decorations that we’ve had in our family for nearly 30 years, to hang on the white tree in the jug at the end of the table. I love these decorations as they remind me of my childhood, and even though a few are a bit broken now, to me they make Christmas!
As far as any crafts on the table are concerned, I wanted simple, yet effective. As a busy Mum with two small children, it can be hard to find the time or desire to get into anything too complicated, especially over the busy festive season, so everything I’ve done here can either be made WITH little ones, or won’t take too long on an evening/Saturday afternoon to do yourself (complete with a mince pie and glass of something, natch).
Biscuit name place settings:
I used this favourite iced, spiced biscuit recipe and made these with the kids, making sure I punched a hole in each one before baking so the name tag can be tied through. Once baked, the biscuits can be decorated by yourself, or your little ones, and then a name written on the luggage tag. A yummy alternative to a traditional place setting, and very popular with people who perhaps aren’t keen on traditional Christmas pud for afters.
Moss on the table, and moss in cups with candles:
Continuing the nod towards Adam’s Nan’s old crockery, I used some teacups from the set, stuffed them with Playdoh so the candle could stand up well (simple, yet very effective! Don’t anyone ever tell me I’m not resourceful ;-)), and then carefully stuck some artificial moss around the candle base. The moss is very cheap from an Ebay store, and is great for that natural, nordic look (they like the natural vibe in those parts!). If you’re worried about safety, then you could use an LED candle instead, or you can also buy fire-resistant spray online or from DIY stores to spray on your moss and Playdoh.
Cloves in Apples:
A really easy and cheap way of continuing that ‘natural’ look, is to stick a loads of cloves in apples, and scatter randomly along the table- the smell is just incredible and they look so lovely.
Home made crackers:
Using toilet roll inners, I put a sweet, a Swedish proverb, and a cracker snap in each one (you can buy the latter from ebay stores for something like £1.99 for 6). I then wrapped some stripey tissue paper around the toilet roll inner, leaving enough length so that some tissue gathers the ends the cracker snap (i.e. so went it’s pulled it goes ‘bang’!). The tissue paper is then sellotaped up, and festive ribbon tied around each end of the cracker. I actually really enjoyed making these, and what’s great about this sort of ‘relaxed’ theme, and especially if you’ve got your children helping, is that nothing has to look perfect- homemade is all part of the ‘look’!
Candle Centrepiece:
In Sweden, it’s a tradition to light a candle for every week of advent, and this centrepiece is a nod to that. The red trough is from Ikea, as are the big candles. I’ve surrounded the trough with some more of that artificial moss to continue the natural theme.
Deconstructed twigs with wooden decorations:
Now, I feel that this is very much an optional extra for this table look, but it works on ours because a.) there is no one sitting on the end of the table and we have space to fill, and b.) the little wooden decorations are of great sentimental value to us, so I just had to find a way of including them! The white tree twigs are actually a purchase from Dunelm, and they had little fairy lights on them, which lovely as they look, for the purpose of this theme I felt they didn’t quite ‘fit’ so took them off. I then arranged the twigs in this large jug (harder than it looks to get them ‘just right’!), and decorated them with the little wooden Nordic people. I think the children will love these, and it really suits a table theme where a young family is at the heart of it. If you want to go the extra mile, you could always paint a real tree branch white and leave to dry for the same effect.
Shop the look:
Some things I had already, such as the crockery and little wooden decorations on the twigs, but pretty much everything else I purchased really cheaply from a variety of places, but I have to say that for this look, Ikea is your friend!
Red trough- Ikea
Candles – Ikea
Grey, Scandi-style tablecloth – Ikea
Green-handled cutlery – Ikea
Wine goblets – Dunelm
Large Cream jug – Ikea
Deconstructed white twigs – Dunelm
Red and white stripey tissue paper – Ebay store
Cracker snaps – Ebay store
Artificial moss – Ebay store
So….what do you think of this look? Are you planning on a Christmas table theme yourself this year? I’d love to know, I always get excited reading about how everyone ‘does’ Christmas!
Thinking of putting your new festive tablescape to good use? Rachel has a fab idea for a ‘North Pole Breakfast‘ over on her blog!
What a gorgeous table setting! I’m in NZ so we tend to do the casual summer BBQ thing so no table setting to be seen, however I might have to make some extra effort this year after seeing this for inspiration! #sharewithme
Author
Ooh that must make things so much easier if you have a more casual affair!
Lovely ideas and it looks gorgeous too! you’re such a creative and resourceful lady… how I wish I could be the same as I just buy all this stuff from the shop… I love the biscuit tags, it looks adorable and cute. #sharewithme
Author
Aah thank you so much! 🙂
Such a beautiful table setting! If I was having guests over for christmas dinner I would follow this guide xx
Miss Kitty Kaos – Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl
Author
Thank you! Definitely for a special occasion only!
Really beautiful. I love white and red together like this. I like how you have sued the twigs with the wooden decorations that is a popular look here in Holland too. #sharewithme
Author
Ooh that’s interesting to know- haven’t investigated a Dutch look before *toddles off to find out more*
What a thoughtful thing for you to do for your sister-in-law! and i am a fan also, it all looks so stylish and cosy too. traditional with a little twist, I can’t wait to get all festive xx #sharewithme
Author
Thanks Nat- I’m trying to hold off being too festive too soon so I don’t peak to early, but finding it really hard this year! x
Oh you are just lovely Becky! And oh so talented in the making things looks gorgeous department. Look forward to hearing more about your stylish Christmas xx
So gorgeous Becks! I’m doing a Scandi look this year, so I’m taking loads of mental notes here! I’ve been on the look out for moss for a while so I’m off to check ebay out now. Only you&I could get excited about moss! Lol! Xx
Oh I love this…. I just shared my Thanksgiving table settings on my blog and this has made me so excited for my Christmas table setting too. You have lovely style. The style of the twigs in the ikea pitcher is lovely. Love the look. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme