9 ways to countdown to Advent the Scandi way

Advent across Scandinavia is a big event, as people look for ways to bring light into their homes, while preparing for Christmas. As Niki Brantmark of My Scandinavian Home explains, “Christmas in Sweden starts on the first Sunday of Advent. Homes
are dressed as paper star lanterns, snöblommor (snow flowers) and traditional Adventsljusstake (an inverted V-shaped candleholder) are hauled down from the loft and placed in windows, brightening up the darkness."

In fact, of the many Christmas homes we have featured in Simply Scandi and Simply Scandi Christmas, there's usually always an Advent idea. Here are a few of our favourite Advent ideas curated from past issues, along with some bits to shop for.

1 Go simple with a ready-made base

Shop for a pre-made base from your local florist, and use to wire small pieces of pine, fir and eucalyptus to create a lush foliage wreath, overlapping as you work, winding with florist's wire to secure. Once the base is covered, House Doctor's candle holders make it easy to add you four candles securely.

HDFolk short candleholder, £9.50 each; housedoctor.com

2 Use a bowl as your base

Create an Advent arrangement in a footed ceramic bowl for extra height. Secure the candles first into florist's foam or chicken wire, before covering with foliage (just make sure candles don't burn too low down).

Eleni's Christmas preparations start in November, as she decorates her Swedish home with lots of fresh greenery and home-made paper stars. Gradually, she introduces more and more decorations, some she has made – like her Advent display – others she has bought. “Some of my favourite things that I put out for Christmas are baubles I found at a flea market,” she says. “They’re so beautiful and no one else has the same ones!”

See more of Eleni's beautiful Christmas home in Simply Scandi Christmas 2023.

Photography: Cecilia Möller Kirchsteiger/Living4Media.

3 Try a table wreath

Use a fir wreath as the centrepiece for your Advent display. Choose a compact design wound with ribbon for a sturdy yet stylish surround for four pillar candles. Sprinkle with a little faux snow for extra Scandi scene setting.

This Advent display forms the heart of Louise's Danish holiday home – the living room is where the family gather for cosy afternoons, playing cards or reading.

You can see more of Louise's winter retreat in Simply Scandi Christmas 2021.

Photography: Birgitta Wolfgang Bjørnvad/The Sisters Agency.

4 Use dried foraged finds

Dress a candle holder with dried grasses, seedheads and pine cones for a simple, Scandi-rustic look. Such a base can be used throughout the year – just change the colour of your candles.

Broste Copenhagen Smooth tapered candle, £14.95 for four, The Scandinavian Shop.

5 Bring in hints of your Christmas colour palette

Advent decorations are often the first clue to your Christmas decorating palette. Every year Julie makes an Advent wreath for her Danish apartment, and for Christmas 2023, she combined shades of coral, pink and nude with glittering silver spruce.

"I've chosen a palette that my eye likes to look at, which is tonal rather than contrasting. Both my homemade Advent wreath and wall wreath are in nude, coral and pink with gentle earthy tones," says Julie.

You can see more of Julie's Christmas style in Simply Scandi Christmas 2023.

Photography: Anitta Behrendt.

6 Create a Scandi rustic look

Mixing materials is at the heart of a Scandi rustic look, and a metallic candleholder teamed with natural linen and fresh foliage has all the Scandi rustic feels. Try sitting your holder on a wooden board or platter to protect your tablecloth from any wax drips while adding an extra texture hit.

HDMaxi Advent candle holder, House Doctor.

7 Light a candle each day

While chocolate Advent calendars may be the norm, there's something so ritualistic and calming about lighting an Advent candle each morning as you think about the day ahead. Stand a tall pillar numbered candle in a sturdy planter or vase and add a few pieces of festive foliage and flower stems for a simple Scandi moment.

Broste Copenhagen Advent candle. £15.80, Design Vintage.

8 Make your own hygge moments

We love the idea of creating your own Advent calendar, using envelopes to hide Christmas memories, activities or photographs of Christmases past. Hang from mini pegs along a length of string, or nestle amongst a garland.

Christmas Advent calendar envelopes, £10, Making Meadows.

9 Tie on an Advent gift

Wrap up small gifts and number with stickers, using a coat hanger as a base for your own Advent gift calendar. Finish the scene with a seasonal poinsettia in a lovely creamy-blush colour.