My Simple Scandinavian-Inspired Christmas Tree

I have always been drawn to simple Christmas decorations made from handmade or foraged natural materials. This year, my simple Scandinavian-inspired Christmas tree combines both. It features handmade ornaments made from twigs, cardboard, clay, and metal, all in the shape of a simple house.

I’m joining a few creative friends to share our themed Christmas trees. I decided on a white Christmas tree with white lights and different homemade ornaments. Since I’m making the house ornaments, the look is minimalist Christmas, focusing on a simple design style. This is mainly because complicated or more intricate designs are beyond my skill level!

The tree I’m using is from Terrain. It’s the faux Snowy Pre-Lit Alpine Fir, so pretty even without ornaments. The tree shape is perfect for narrow spaces. At the bottom of the tree I am using a quilted blanket until I receive my tree skirt from Quince. Quince has beautiful tree skirts in two options and several colors. I like the scandi style cotton velvet. They also have faux fur tree skirts. 

What makes it a Scandinavian Christmas tree?

A Scandinavian-style Christmas tree might be decorated with wood bead garland, paper chains, dried orange slices,  wooden ornaments, and straw ornaments. 

The definition of Scandinavian design

When planning my Scandinavian Christmas tree, I thought I should confirm my understanding of Nordic style. 

Characteristics include simple lines, neutral colors, and natural materials, focusing on light and cozy spaces. Think cozy blankets, sheepskin rugs, airy spaces, and natural textures tied to nature for that hygge atmosphere. 

Four house ornaments made with natural elements, clay, and cardboard

1. Twig house ornaments –

Based on the twig stars I’ve been making for the last few years, featured in the BHG Christmas issue and the current holiday Country Home magazine, I used the same idea but made twig houses rather than stars. I added little fresh evergreen sprigs to make them look like pine trees and hung them with jute twine. The twig houses are more rustic Christmas, but I couldn’t resist adding these rustic elements. 

2. Clay house ornaments – 

I used air-dry clay and simple house cookie cutters to make clay house ornaments. If you haven’t tried using air-dry clay, I can’t recommend it enough. I have made clay tags for gifts and napkin rings. 

I used house-shaped cookie cutters, but cutting them using a sturdy cardboard pattern would also work! I then used household items I found on my desk to make doors and windows. Air-dry clay is very easy to work with. I like to make the houses pretty thick. The houses with simple door and window imprints onto the clay take on a modern design I like. 

There’s no need to drill holes. I used a skewer to make a small hole through which to thread a piece of jute twine to hang the ornaments on the evergreen branches (or to attach them to a wreath or garland). Don’t worry if your hole isn’t quite large enough to thread the twine through after your airdry clay ornaments have dried; you can make the hole a little bigger with the skewer. The clay is very forgiving, even after it has dried.

Once you’ve made your ornaments, you can air dry for a day or two, or to speed up the process, bake in a 200º oven for 2 to 3 hours.

Making clay house ornaments is a great way to include children in the holiday decor. Airdry clay washes up with soap and water; I use it on my marble kitchen counter. They have a minimalist design that children could make, just like decorating cookies.

For some embellishment, I added a few star anise pieces and some dried foraged tiny seed pods for a natural look. Small pine cones would work, too.

3. Cardboard house ornaments –

These easy-to-make ornaments use cardboard of different textures, a gel marker, and a little bit of dried moss. They remind me of the Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelman…”In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines; the smallest one was Madeline.”

To make, cut small pieces of cardboard (from boxes, or pieces like these). Trim the top for a roof. Using a gel marker or a Sharpie  in white or black, make a door, windows and some decoration. Add some corrugated cardboard as a roof and maybe shutters. Then add some moss as vines and hole to hang. I used a thin copper wire through the hole and then hung it with natural jute twine on the tree. 

4. Punched tin tiny houses

To make these adorable tiny houses to add silver or gold ornaments to your beautiful Christmas tree, use foil baking pans! You may have seen this done before on Instagram, and it’s even easier than it looks. I used what I had on hand. They are loaf or bread pans that happen to be very smooth on the sides and bottom, 

To make, use a pencil with a sharp tip, draw the outline of a house, go back and add windows and doors, etc. Then, carefully cut out the house shape. It’s a good idea to work on a small piece of plywood to protect the surface. Make a tiny hole at the top using the tip of a small sharp object. Insert the wire and tape on the back, and then hang it using jute twine or ribbon. These would be an idea for smaller trees as they are tiny and have quite a bit of detail.

The only thing about making tin house ornaments is that I do not recommend making them with children. The cut tin can be very sharp! 

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