How a 2020 Santa Lucia Celebration in Sweden Inspired My Scandinavian Christmas

Every December 13th since my daughter was born, my mom has made it a tradition to come over and celebrate Santa Lucia with us. It all started during the pandemic when she stumbled upon a beautiful video on YouTube from Sweden, filmed in December 2020, featuring the Lucia choir from Jukkasjärvi, a picturesque village in northern Sweden, known for its breathtaking landscapes and the famous ICEHOTEL.

The video also has a delightful mix of classical and traditional Christmas songs, performed by various choirs and musicians. I especially love the part where children craft and sing "Silent Night" in Swedish—it’s incredibly heartwarming!

Embracing Swedish Traditions

Swedish traditions have always been a part of our Christmas celebrations. My earliest memories include making Scandinavian crafts and cooking family recipes.

In this video, we'll explore how to add a touch of Sweden to your holiday celebrations with charming crafts and delightful foods. From the heartwarming Santa Lucia celebration with my family to creating beautiful Dala horse decorations, this video is filled with inspiration and joy.

Crafting Santa Lucia Crowns

This year, I wanted to infuse our decorations with a Scandinavian touch. I started by making a Santa Lucia crown. Initially, I wanted to make it out of felt, but due to time constraints, I opted for a printable version instead. It turned out beautifully and is adjustable to fit any head size. 

Follow along with this guide to create your own Santa Lucia paper crown. You can use our printable template available on the #TableSettingIsMyLife Etsy store or gather your own materials to craft along.

Scandinavian Inspired Christmas Banner

Above our stockings, I hung a Dala horse banner (with care). It’s super easy to make—just print, cut, and hang. I adjusted the green color for the instant download version to ensure it prints perfectly. Remember, all printers are different, so colors may vary. For best results, set your printer to 1200 dpi.

Dala-ghtful Decorations

Continuing the Dala theme, I also crafted a paper garland of Dala horses, available on the TableSettingIsMyLife Etsy store along with Dala paper ornaments. 

Please note that the garland all face one direction, but the ornaments are mirrored, allowing you to attach them back to back for tree decorations or use them as I have—on stockings as name tags! 

For more family-friendly projects and tips on crafting your own Scandinavian-inspired Christmas, check out my website. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to subscribe for more crafting adventures. Happy Holidays!

For more totally family friendly crafts, check out our previous Crafts with Katie posts.

About Craft Along with Katie 

Born out of a call to help our local library during lockdown, these crafting videos provide full step-by-step guides to fun and engaging craft projects. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking for a delightful way to spend an afternoon with the family, these videos are designed to inspire and entertain.

For those who want to craft along with me, be sure to visit my Etsy store where you can purchase craft kits containing all the materials you need for each project. Let's get creative and make something amazing together!