Christmas

SCANDINAVIAN & NORDIC CHRISTMAS :: 3rd Annual Open Call for Christmas Submissions

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS for the 3rd Annual Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas Series on the Oaxacaborn blog! (Carl Larsson image) 

It’s October, and already, I’m seeing a big spike in Christmas-related searches. (You all really, really love Christmas posts.) Can you believe it’s almost time for the Third Annual Scandinavian & Nordic Christmas Series? It’s crazy that we’ve been doing this together for three years now!

If you’re a new reader, every year in November and December everything goes Christmas here on Oaxacaborn. And not just any Christmas. We celebrate all things Scandinavian and Nordic, and during these next two months the blog will be full of Jul with brilliant guest posts by bloggers, photographers, writers from around Northern Europe.

We’ll talk about advent calendars (julkalender and adventskalender, that is), traditional celebrations and foods, wrapping paper, decorations, meals, dinner parties, ornaments, and Christmas trees. We’ll delve into snowy winters and traditions and we’ll light candles in the windows and we’ll deck the halls with red and white (and blue and yellow, and blue and white, too).

The most amazing part to me about the Annual Scandinavian & Nordic Christmas series is how all of you — all of us — come together to make this happen. For the last two years, people from all over Europe and the US and have shared beautiful Decemberish photographs and words with Oaxacaborn readers, and it’s you who have made this series the success it is today.

If you participated before, you’re welcome to share again! If this is your first time, we’re so happy to have you. (You don’t even need to be Scandinavian or Nordic…just a lover of Christmas and the northern traditions.)

Maybe you have a tutorial on how to create a Swedish heart. Maybe you want to share how your family celebrates Finnish Independence Day. Maybe your Christmas dinner table last year was stunning, and you want us to see. Maybe you live in a Scandinavian or Nordic country, and you want to send photos of your town’s or family’s celebrations. Maybe you have a memory of your grandparents and how they passed down the traditions to you. Maybe you’re an absolute pro at curating images, and you want to send a round-up of (properly credited) Christmas images. Maybe you’re a knitter who creates Icelandic sweaters. Maybe your Norwegian heritage shows proudly every time you get out the Christmas decorations. Maybe you want to show how the streets of Copenhagen look in December. Maybe you want to share some Christmas legends and lore. Or maybe you have a killer mantle display and want to share the wintry beauty.

Remember, we’re celebrating all things Nordic and Scandinavian, all November and December. So in addition to Christmas (of course!) this series also aims to showcase any national holidays or celebrations happening during that time leading up to Christmas, too.

So what are you waiting for? Check out the previous Scandinavian/Nordic Christmas posts here, and then email me, oaxacaborn@gmail.com.

(Content which you’ve already published on your own blog is perfectly fine. And remember, the posts don’t have to be lengthy – a single inspiring image is excellent, as well.)

Can’t wait to hear from you. :)

Hyvää Joulua! God Jul! 

Christmas

NORDIC CHRISTMAS :: Beate Hemsborg on Christmas Decorating and Relaxing

spisestue - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog
The Norwegian blog beate hemsborg is a huge, huge inspiration to me when it comes to interiors. Inger’s home is absolutely and completely cozy all year long — the perfect spot for an coffee and cookies break! — and it turns even cozier at Christmastime.

Well, Inger is here on Oaxacaborn today to share her approach to Christmas (it includes cookies AND relaxing). I think we all, myself included, would do well to heed her wise advice when it comes simplicity and relaxation!
spisestue - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog
“The best part of Christmas is to have some days off with my husband and my two children. Sleeping until we wake up, and then lighting the candles in the livingroom because it is still dark when we get up. Children playing with toys that they got for Christmas…

I’m not the one who has a long to do-list for Christmas. I enjoy doing things whenever we want to… not just because it is on the list / schedule. We bake when the kids desire and Christmas-decorations are taken little at a time. The cookie-jars stand on the kitchen-shelf, and they are often empty before Christmas.

How I decorate / what gives me the Christmas spirit: I am not a fan of angels or Santa, I usually decorate with red and brown details. I think it’s the red details that create the Christmas spirit in my home. I do not like to fill up the room with lots of decorations, I use stuff that I have — but with a little Christmas twist. For example, a rustic flower pot with a small strip of brown paper and a red and white ribbon. I also use zinc a lot, and I love a little red string around a zinc bowl.”

advents stake - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

bord - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

kjøkken - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

stuen - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

kjøkken Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

jule kalender - Beautiful Nordic Christmas interior from the beate hemsborg blog as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

beate hemsborg Blog | Facebook | Shop

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Even More Stars (10 to be Exact)

#5 LES CALISSONS ÉTOILES À L’ORANGE ET AU GINGEMBRE via Carnets Parisiens
Star gingerbread via via Carnets Parisiens

wooden star by avec un o
Wooden star via Avec Un O

Star Shaped Pillows via ColetteBream
Star Shaped Pillows via ColetteBream

sewn star garland via Marie Claire Idees
Sewn stars via Marie Claire Idées

Twig Star via the House of Philia
Twig Star via the House of Philia

Gingerbread stars by Butterfly Foodie
Gingerbread stars by Butterfly Foodie

Make a paper star garland via the Cherry Blossom Blog
Make a paper star garland via the Cherry Blossom Blog

DIY Scandinavian-inspired clay star garland via the Creature Comforts Blog
DIY Scandinavian-inspired clay star garland via the Creature Comforts Blog

Stars Hanging from Chandelier via Marie Claire Idees
Stars Hanging from Chandelier via Marie Claire Idées

Russian Stars via Plumo
Russian Stars via Plümo

Christmas

NORDIC CHRISTMAS :: A Finnish Country Christmas from ‘Punainen talo maalla’

Remember the Finnish Country Christmas I showed you on Thursday? The blogger behind those photos, Hanne of Punainen talo maalla [the red house in the country], is here today to share her love for Christmas!

“Thank you Gina for inviting me to write about our Christmas time here in the little red house. I live in eastern Finland in the countryside with my fiancee and our two Parson Russell Terriers Onni and Veeti. I have always been a “Christmas person” but after buying this house I fell completely and utterly in love with the season.
Christmas photos from Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog
I start my Christmas countdown around midsummer and during the autumn, Christmassy things are finding their way to our decor. After all, the best thing about Christmas is the wait.
2 - Christmas photos from Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog
I prefer a quiet and old fashioned Christmas. Our house is almost 100 years old and I often think that these log walls have seen so many Christmases. My Christmas includes Christmas carols, candles, good food, good friends and spending time with the family. And of course, chocolate!
Christmas photos from Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog
We always have a real Christmas tree, and this year I´m going to get two of them=) We bring the tree in a few days before Christmas Eve, because I want to enjoy the scent and the atmosphere the tree brings well in advance. I have a wish that some Christmas I could go for a horsesleigh ride in a snowy forest. That would be a dream come true! Hope I can make it happen someday.

I want to wish you all a very happy Christmas!”

Thank you, Hanne! Hyvää Joulua!

Punainen talo maalla blog  | on Facebook

Inspiration

INSPIRATION :: Christmas 2012 Toast UK Catalogue

After seeing these images from Toast UK’s fantastically wonderful Christmas 2012 lookbook, I’m off to spruce up the decorations around here. (Now, does anyone know if you can order a white Christmas and frosted windowpanes through the catalogue?)

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Image via TOAST UK's Christmas 2012 Catalogue, as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog


You may also be interested in my Toast UK catalogue round-ups from previous seasons.

Christmas

NORDIC CHRISTMAS :: A Finnish Country Christmas

2 - Nordic Christmas photos via Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla

Nordic Christmas photos via Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla

3 - Nordic Christmas photos via Red House in the Country Punainen talo maalla
I love these delightfully Christmas photos from Finnish blog Punainen talo maalla. (Doesn’t the dog make you laugh? I love it!)

Be sure to check back here on Sunday, as I’ve asked Hanne, who writes Punainen talo maalla, to stop by and share a Nordic Christmas guest post with you all!

Christmas, Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating for Christmas with Felted Balls

Felted garlands are a great way to add color to your Christmas decor in a non-traditional way (i.e., not strictly red+green). Of course, I’d easily be able to justify leaving the strands up long after December is over. You can purchase both loose spheres and ready-made strands at craft stores and via private sellers on Etsy, or, you can felt your own wool using directions from one of these DIYs below! I really like the all-white ones strung on the neon thread! Which is your favorite?

300 Felted Balls to Purchase via the Yummi Shop
Felted Balls via Yummi Shop

Natural felt ball via Ferm LivingNatural felted wool ornament via Ferm Living

Christmas Stocking Freckle Grey - via Down to the Woods

Christmas stocking with felt ball cuff via Down to the Woods

Felted Ball Wreath from Pickles
Felted ball wreath DIY via Pickles

Felt Garland How to and Tutorial via the Purl Bee
Felt garland DIY tutorial via The Purl Bee

How to Make Felted Wool Balls via My Sparkle
How to make felted balls tutorial via My Sparkle

Christmas

CHRISTMAS :: Scandinavian Christmas by Neutral Hue

Neutral Hue's Scandinavian Christmas photo shoot as seen on the Oaxacaborn blog

Hi, it’s Ashley + Christina, blogging duo at neutral hue.

Our side-by-side blog is devoted to the love of neutral! Ashley is southern and has a classic, rustic aesthetic, while Christina is from NY and a lover of classic, modern design. We are out to prove that neutral works throughout design styles + sensibilities.

When Gina sent us a note about guest blogging about Scandinavian holidays we knew the topic was a great one for us!

We had this little shoot planned for our wee ones, and found it the perfect place to showcase the minimal holiday styling. Our inspiration for the shoot was holiday beauty in simplicity mixing the Ashley’s love of rustic through her son, 1 year old Wyatt (eeks, how time flies!), and Christina’s organic simplicity through her 9 month old daughter Mila.

Hope you enjoy our interpretation of simple Scandinavian.

Happy (Neutral) Holidays!

Ashley + Christina

neutral hue | Christina on Pinterest | Ashley on Pinterest | Facebook

On set:
Felt garland & Felt Mistletoe via West Elm
On Wyatt:
Bison Trapper Hat via Gap
On Mila:
Sherpa vest & Pro Fleece Rosette Hat via Gap
Leggies by Little Giraffe via Layla Grayce
Photography:
leahandmark.com