Category Archives: Christmas

Todays outfit -festive for the boys!

November 21, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

Nordic Christmas childrens boys designer outfit
© Clip board by Little Scandinavian

In this set: ‘The glass castle’ annual Christmas installation in the premier design store Norway Designs in Oslo Norway | Essential Santa helpers Hat by Noa Noa Miniature £12 Mora Scandinavian Emporium | New series ‘Celebrate’ Snowflake decoration from €10.95 Holmegaard | V-neck Merino wool navy 5 button cardigan FUB £47 Elias and Grace | Merino wool stripy neck warmer FUB £27 Elias and Grace | Long Sleeved Deer Print Tee in Grey by Little Duckling £23 Kidsen | Icon Cord Jeans Finger In the Nose £58 Scandinavian Minimall | Grey Leather Shoes by Bisgaard £50 Kidsen

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Todays outfit -festive for the girls!

November 21, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

Nordic Christmas Girls Christmas outfit toys and accessories.

© Clip board by Little Scandinavian



In this set: Every Christmas pixie’s dream dress Flounce by The Brand £32 Scandinavian Minimall | Marius knit sweater Fair Isle style in merino wool €75 Ugly Childrens Clothing | Must-have Pixie Hat by Noa Noa Miniature £12 Mora Scandinavian Emporium | Funky and festive Cheetah mittens by Elodie Details £15 Nordic Kids | Traditional Freoli grey with floral detail Cable Knit Tights £12 Sparkle and Spin | Red Hearts Homemade Christmas decoration via nuperelle.blog | High quality Silver Lace Up Boot with fur lining £90 Petit by Sofie Schnoor Mora Scandinavian Emporium | Cute Advent Calendar or Christmas gift “Mouse in a Matchbox” by Maileg from £14.99 Nordic Kids | For a true Nordic Christmas, the Celebrate Snowflake decoration from €10.95 Holmegaard

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Scandinavian Christmas Fairs in London 2011, part II

November 20, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

Then, straight from the Norwegian Christmas Fair, to the Swedish Christmas Fair! Already in Christmas Spirit we were ready for more glögg! And again, lots of people and even more festive Christmas spirit with even live music.
What we had: Korv med gurk salat (hot dog Swedish style), glögg (this time with brandy!?) and one was more than enough for me. We also did gingerbread men tasting.
What we bought: Christmas tree lights, Christmas decoration and a box of Swedish gingerbreadmen.



© Little Scandinavian. Christmas Fair at The Swedish Church in London

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Scandinavian Christmas Fairs in London 2011, part I

November 20, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

We made it to the Norwegian Christmas Fair in the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Bermondsey today. You could hardly notice it was the end of a 3 day fair as it was packed with people and all the stalls were still full (and being refilled all the time while we were there) of Scandinavian decorations, Christmas food and handmade Scandinavian presents.
What we had: Open sandwich with “brunost” (caramel goat cheese), open sandwich with smoked salmon and egg, “julebrus” (sweet Christmas fizzy drink) and glögg. Oh yes, and a Norwegian style waffle with jam.
What we bought: Lots of gift wrapping, gift cards, stickers, candles, Snow flakes crystal decorations, “julebrus” and “flatbrød”.



© Little Scandinavian, The Norwegian Christmas Fair in London 2011

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Scandinavian style Advent candelholders

November 17, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

First Sunday in Advent in 2011 is the 27th of November. In Scandinavia it’s still very much a tradition with Advent candelholders and lid a light every Sunday in advent with the family. We wrote about Advent and Advent candelholders last year too.
Do you have your Advent candleholder ready? You can easily make one, with an old bread tin, some fir or pine tree branches and cones and 4 Christmas Church Candles. Here’s a small selection on Scandinavian advent candleholders for your inspiration.

Ikea £3.29

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Nostalgic Christmas Cards and gift wrapping at Ikea

November 16, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

We’ve previous years shared a small selection of a Scandinavian vintage Christmas Cards. These romantic and nostalgic greeting cards has proven to be very popular -so it was to our great pleasure we recently discovered that the Swedish Interior and Home giant Ikea this year has included a vintage Christmas card print in their affordable selection of gift wrapping for Christmas.

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Scandinavian Christmas Fairs in London 2011

November 15, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

We are planning on attending the following Scandinavian Christmas fairs in London this year. All of them sell Scandinavian Christmas food, sweets and treats. You will also be able to purchase Scandinavian style Christmas decoration and presents. Highly recommended family friendly event -to experience the true Scandinavian Christmas spirit.

Sjømannskirken i London St. Olav’s Church, 1 St Olav’s Square, Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London SE16 7JB Nearest tube Bermondsey and Canada Water station. Friday 18th November 11-18, Saturday 19th November 10-17 and Sunday 20th November 12.30-17. This is a great opportunity to up on delicious Norwegian Christmas food and presents like cheese slicers, silverware and hand made fair isle style knitted mittens. There’s open sandwiches, cakes, waffles, coffee and gløgg from the cafe. Admission £1.



Danske KFUK 43 Maresfield Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5TF. Nearest tube Hampstead and Finchley Road. Saturday 26th November from 12-17 and Sunday 27th November from 12-16. A must visit for securing those traditional lovely Scandinavian Christmas decoration including wreath. We also recommend trying the famous bright red danish hot dog. Admission £ 1

Den Svenske Kyrkan, 6 Harcourt Street, London W1H 4AG. Nearest tube Edgware Road and Baker Street. Admission £1.

Dates for your diary:
The Swedish Church 17 – 20th November, the Norwegian Church 18 – 20th November and the Danish KFUK 26 – 27th November.

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How to make a reindeer advent calendar

November 14, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

We’ve received a few emails and comments after posting Little Scandinavian’s Advent Calendar guide for 2011 regards to how to make or potentially buy the reindeer advent calendar shown in the photo to the left.
What people do is actually making them. You have to sketch it on free hand. It’s not easy but you’ll end up with the exact dimension and style you want. You’ll need a MDF board, a saw to cut the reindeer (or deer) out, sand paper for smooth edges and paint -or wall paper if you prefer a more personalised finish. You’ll then need a hook to fasten the wrapped advent calendar gifts. I would recommend fastening the hook at the back of the deer.

We think there’s no such thing as a home made advent calendar in a true Scandinavian style. Best of luck, and please do share any result with us!

Here’s a link to the Norwegian interior stylist and blogger Heidamen who made some fab advent calendars last year that she shared with us on her blog. She made the reindeer advent calendar but also a really cute Bambi version.


© heidamen.blogspot.com

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Scandinavian Advent Calendars 2011

November 2, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

With the 1st of December less than a month away it’s about time to start planning the Advent Calendar of 2011. Especially if you are, like me, aiming for 24 gifts and treats! Gift guide to follow within the next couple of days…
I’ve in the past done 24×2, but when I grew up with 3 siblings we all shared one calendar. I’d get to open the surprise every 4th day. I never thought of it as an issue. We’ll might do the same for our girls this year. It will not only teach them to share but save me from getting an additional 24 items.
Another idea is to buy the Lego Advent Calendar, unpack and wrap in all the 24 small presents, perhaps together with a little sweet treat on the Saturdays, and hang it up as a decorative garland. In that way you’ve done it all in one go and you’ve ensured quality presents for only £17.99
Anyway, here’s Little Scandinavian Advent Calendar Guide for 2011 We do hope this guide will be of inspiration!

Ikea YRSNÖ Advent Calendar
Ikea is of course huge in Scandinavia and it’s for many the number one destination when purchasing not only Christmas decoration and Christmas essential gift wrapping but also for napkins, candles and other kitchen essentials for Christmas in addition to ready made Scandinavian Christmas cookies.
Check out the Ikea Christmas store.
The YRSNÖ Advent calendar featuring father Christmas designed by Gunilla Byström for Ikea. This Advent Calendar in cardboard has 24 numbered drawers that you can fill with small presents.
Height: 45 cm. Unfortunately this product is not available to buy online. Check availability at your local store.

£8.99 ikea.com



Petite Legarth Advent Calendar
To ensure the uniqueness of design, the Danish designer Sofie Legarth has only made a few pieces of each style. See the full range of Christmas decorations from Petite Legarth here.
This gorgeous handmade quilt advent calendar from Petite Legarth is made with Liberty fabrics.
Santa on his way during the night in a air balloon is such a lovely motif, an advent calendar you’ll be exited to put up on the wall every December. And if you manage to part with it, as the quality is so good, maybe some day you can pass it on to future generations.
The Advent Calendar measures 46x63cm with hooks for 24 advent calendar gifts or treats.

650DKK (£75) at LilleFigaro.eu

Maileg Garland Advent Calendar
This is actually a Advent Calendar that would be fairly easy to make yourself. In that way you’ll get the exact dimensions of the small cotton bags that you want and you’ll also get a true treasure that can be handed down to future generations when the time comes.
But if you are like me, useless with the sewing machine or you simply can’t find the time, this charming Scandinavian style Garland Advent Calendar from Maileg will be just perfect!
24 cotton Christmas socks and socks, all ready to be filled with 24 small gift and treats. When you start to receive Christmas cards, you can simply hang them up on this garland too.

649DKK (£75) designerleg.dk

Maileg Pixie Advent Calendar
Gorgeous Maileg pixie in red advent dress or grey dungarees, numbered for each day of advent with pockets big enough for small treats or gifts. The pixies have a row of buttons all the way down the front. Size: 150cm tall.
We also recommend checking out the various of festive and fun Advent Calendars on NotOnTheHighStreet.co.uk
And if you are into the Pixies for Christmas, check out maileg.dk

Price per Pixie Advent Calendar £66 at notonthehighstreet.com


Maileg Chocolate Advent Calendar
Divine Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar from Danish design company Maileg for 2011, filled with delicious Swiss quality chocolate from Lindt.
Scandinavian style advent calendar with fun and festive illustrations, Santa on his sledge with reindeer, Santa skiing, sledging, dancing and decorating the big Christmas Tree wonderfully illustrated by Dorthe Mailils.

60DKK (£7) at designerleg.dk

For even more ideas, see the Scandinavian Advent Calendars 2010

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The Scandinavian Christmas tree

December 22, 2010 by Scandinavian mum

It’s still tradition that the Scandinavians would wait until the very end before they find or buy their Christmas tree, bring it home and decorate it.
Except the Norwegian Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square in London that was already lit on the 2d of December, that is.
We usually go out on the 22nd of December all together, and carefully select our Christmas Tree. Then bring it home, let it adjust to room temperature and then decorate it after the children has gone to bed on the 23d. This is an annual event which is one of my favourite parts of our Christmas celebration; The Scandinavian Dad and me usually invite some close friends, enjoy some mulled wine and decorate the tree together.
When the children wakes up on the 24th, which is our big day, they will be greeted by the most glorious Christmas tree in the sitting room.

We recommend reading Petters og Lottas Jul (Petter and Lotta’s Christmas) by Elsa Beskow to get a feel for the traditional Scandinavian Christmas and be inspired.


Photo: Elsa Beskow

TheScandinavianDad and the LittleScandinavian are out today, sourcing the most beautiful tree in the forest. I’ll share some pictures in a few days when it’s warmed up and decorated.

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