Dala horses – The Oaxacaborn Blog

Dala Horse via Monki Vintage
Vintage Dala horse, previously available via Monki Vintage

Christmas Dala horse via Casa di Falcone

Trädgårdsflow Black Dala Horse
Black Dala Horse via Trädgårdsflow

Dala horse Christmas card, previously available on Tokyo Pear

røde og hvite emmelines
Red and white dala horses via Emmeline’s Blogg

Unusual Dala horse collection via A Maison d’Anna G

Solid red Dala horse via Solid Fog blog
Solid red Dala horse via the Solid Fog blog

Scandi shabby chic dala horses - all white - Princess Greeneye
Shabby chic all-white Dala horses via Princess Greenye Antiker Landchic

God Jul card by JenniferJohansson on Etsy
God Jul Dala card by JenniferJohansson on Etsy

Anna Viktoria modern Dala horse tea towel via Kings of Sweden

Christmas

SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS :: The Making of the Swedish Dala Horse

November 5, 2013November 5, 2013 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Carved wooden horses have been a part of Swedish culture since the 1600s. The distinct shape as we know it today was introduced in the 1700s, and the iconic paint pattern came along in the 1800s. Dala horses were even sometimes used as payment! But it wasn’t until 1939, when a Swedish architect created a huge Dala horse for the World’s Fair in New York, that the popularity of the dalahäst really took off.

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Oh, I know they aren’t a traditional Christmas decoration. But they’re traditionally Swedish, and just happen to be come in very Christmasy colors. So why not? There are no rules about how you can decorate for Christmas — make the season your own, and let the decor reflect your own personality, style and heritage.

Want to contribute to the 3rd Annual Scandinavian/Nordic Christmas Series? Click here to find out how!

I'm Gina Munsey, a Jesus-lover and a sojourner; a weaver of words, anchored in hope. I am Mexico-born, Eastern Europe-raised missionary kid who ended up being a Californian by way of Florida outside of Nashville, Tennessee -- but we landed here before The Great Migration. I live my days full of coffee and adventures while my 12-year-old learns Mandarin Chinese and Greek, my 3-year-old uses all the markers, and my artist-husband creates worlds from pixels and light. I'm an editor, a magazine contributor, and a writer who has only completed four chapters of my languishing manuscript. On any given day, you can find me in the middle of [home]school surrounded by stacks and stacks of books. Oh, and the name of this blog? Oaxaca -- wuh-HA-kuh -- is in Southern Mexico, where I was born! (See full bio).