What are the most beautiful Scandinavian holiday traditions?
Discover the most beautiful Scandinavian holiday traditions—from St. Lucia and Advent stars to woven hearts and Dala Horses. Bring Nordic magic into your home with simple ideas and meaningful decor.
The holidays in Scandinavia are more than just a festive season—they’re a celebration of light, tradition, family, and togetherness. Whether you have Scandinavian heritage or are simply drawn to Nordic charm, these timeless customs will fill your home and heart with warmth.
So, what are the most beautiful Scandinavian holiday traditions, and how can you bring them to life in your own celebrations?
I am excited to share the magic—starting with the most iconic Nordic customs passed down through generations.
1. Advent: A Season of Light and Waiting
One of the most treasured Scandinavian holiday traditions is Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. In Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, families mark each week with candles, cozy decorations, and rituals that center around slowing down and reflecting.
How It’s Celebrated:
Advent candles: Four candles (often white or red) are lit one by one each Sunday leading to Christmas.
Advent calendars: Both traditional paper versions and small wrapped gifts or treats for children.
Advent stars: Large glowing paper stars hang in windows throughout December, symbolizing hope and guiding light.
👉 Want to celebrate this tradition at home? Light a candle every Sunday with your family and reflect on something you're grateful for or hopeful about. Add a handmade touch by placing candles in a wreath or ceramic holder.
2. St. Lucia Day: The Festival of Light (December 13)
Perhaps the most enchanting Scandinavian holiday tradition is St. Lucia Day, celebrated especially in Sweden on December 13. Lucia, wearing a white gown and a crown of candles, brings light into the darkest part of the year.
History:
St. Lucia represents hope, generosity, and light, rooted in both Christian and pagan traditions. Young girls (and boys, too!) dress in white robes with red sashes, carrying candles and singing carols.
Traditions:
Children serve Lucia buns (saffron rolls) and coffee to their families.
Schools and towns hold Lucia processions with music and candlelight.
Homes are decorated with greenery and candles.
👉 Looking to bring this into your home? Try baking saffron buns with your kids and sharing stories by candlelight. It’s a lovely way to slow down and connect.
3. Woven Paper Hearts (Julehjerter)
Scandinavian woven hearts—or julehjerter—are a delightful and meaningful craft that’s been part of Nordic holiday celebrations for over a century.
History:
Believed to be popularized by Hans Christian Andersen in the 1800s, these paper hearts are made by weaving two folded pieces of paper together into a checkerboard heart.
Uses:
Hung as ornaments on the tree or windows
Used as baskets to fill with candy, notes, or treats
Strung together to make garlands or Advent decor
Or (my favorite) fill them with treats and give them to family and friends ❤️
💡 This is one of my favorite traditions because it’s so simple and meaningful for kids and adults alike.
📚 Want to pass this down to your children? Check out our bestselling book Anna and the Woven Hearts, a heartwarming story about tradition, love, and sharing Scandinavian heritage.
🧺 You can also shop our Woven Heart stuffy—a soft and playful version of this beloved symbol that makes a sweet gift or decoration.
4. The Dala Horse: A Scandinavian Holiday Icon
The Dala Horse, or Dalahäst, may be one of the most iconic symbols of Swedish tradition. Though not limited to the holidays, these red, floral-painted wooden horses appear throughout Scandinavian homes in December.
Origins:
Hand-carved by woodworkers and soldiers in Dalarna in the 1600s
Became a national symbol after being featured in the 1939 New York World’s Fair
Today, the Dala Horse represents strength, love, and tradition
They are commonly used as:
Ornaments or tabletop decorations
Symbols on holiday cards and textiles
Heirlooms passed down through families
Special gifts to give to share this special symbol with others
📚 Bring the story to life with Anna and the Dala Horse—a children’s book about courage, connection, and the meaning behind this beloved wooden figure.
🧵 And don’t miss our Dala Horse ornaments in the Scandinavian Hearts shop—beautiful keepsakes made to share tradition.
5. Scandinavian Holiday Baking
If there’s one thing that brings generations together during the Nordic holidays, it’s baking.
Favorite Traditional Treats:
Pepparkakor (Swedish ginger cookies) – crisp, spiced cookies often shaped like stars, hearts, or animals
Lussekatter (Lucia saffron buns) – golden and lightly sweet, shaped into twists
Kransekake (Norwegian almond ring cake) – often served at special events and Christmas
Sandbakkels and Krumkake – beautiful pressed cookies with delicate designs
In many households, baking these treats becomes a multi-day family affair. Grandparents, children, and cousins gather to share stories and pass down recipes.
🎁 Fill woven hearts with a few pepparkakor and wrap in cellophane for a thoughtful neighbor or teacher gift.
6. Christmas Eve Focus & Gift Traditions
Unlike in many other cultures where Christmas Day is the main event, Scandinavians celebrate primarily on Christmas Eve.
What Makes It Special:
Families gather for a cozy meal (think roasted pork, fish, potatoes, and rice pudding)
Children eagerly await Julenisse, the Scandinavian Santa or gnome-like gift-giver
Gifts are often handmade, symbolic, or passed down—focusing more on meaning than quantity
🎄 The holiday meal and unwrapping are often followed by stories, songs, or even a walk through the snow.
7. Julenisse & Nisse Decorations
In Scandinavian folklore, nisse are small gnome-like creatures who live in barns or homes and protect families in exchange for respect and kindness.
During Christmas, the Julenisse is a holiday version who delivers gifts—but only if he’s treated kindly!
How to Celebrate:
Leave a bowl of porridge out on Christmas Eve as a thank-you
Decorate your home with nisse figurines or ornaments
Tell stories of the nisse to your children and encourage acts of kindness
💡 This is a fun and whimsical tradition to make your own—like the Nordic version of the Elf on the Shelf, but with much deeper folklore roots.
8. Embracing Hygge During the Holidays
One of the most beautiful “unspoken” traditions in Scandinavia is the emphasis on hygge—a Danish concept that translates to coziness, comfort, and contentment.
How It Shows Up at Christmas:
Lots of candles, glowing lights, and natural materials
Time spent indoors with family, sharing simple meals and warm drinks
Focus on presence over presents
🎁 Bring hygge into your home with Scandinavian-inspired decor—like wood hearts, and warm-toned lighting.
🧡 Our home decor and Nordic-inspired gifts are designed to help you share this feeling with the ones you love.
Scandinavian Holiday Decor Ideas
Looking to incorporate these traditions into your home? Here are a few easy ways:
Hang a paper star lantern in your window
Make or buy woven hearts and string them as a garland
Set up a simple Advent wreath with candles
Display a wooden Dala Horse as a centerpiece
Add a few nisse gnome ornaments to your tree
Use Scandinavian wrapping paper with hearts and florals
🎁 Check out our collection of holiday-inspired designs at Scandinavian Hearts—where every product celebrates heritage and handmade joy.
FAQs: What People Are Asking About Scandinavian Holiday Traditions
What is the most important holiday tradition in Scandinavia?
Most Scandinavian families would say Christmas Eve and Advent hold the most emotional significance, often filled with food, storytelling, and candlelight. ❤️ 💚
What do Scandinavians eat for Christmas?
Each country varies, but traditional foods include roast pork, meatballs, cod or herring, rice pudding, saffron buns, and ginger cookies just to name a few. 😋
What decorations are common in Scandinavian homes during Christmas?
Paper Advent stars
Woven paper hearts
Dala Horses
Nisse figurines
Handmade ornaments and natural greenery
Can I celebrate Scandinavian traditions if I’m not Scandinavian?
Absolutely! These traditions are rooted in warmth, generosity, and family. Whether you have Nordic roots or just love the culture, bringing these customs into your home can add meaning and joy to your holiday season.
Bring the Beauty Home
At Scandinavian Hearts, we believe tradition is one of the most beautiful gifts we can share.
We design products that help you celebrate your roots, connect with loved ones, and pass on joy and meaning to the next generation—from children’s books to handmade woven hearts and heirloom-style decor.
👉 Explore our collection of books, hearts, ornaments, and Nordic gifts.
Wishing you a season filled with light, love, and lasting memories.
From my Scandinavian heart to yours,
Wendy
Founder, Scandinavian Hearts