How Norwegians Typically Decorate their Christmas Trees

Norwegian online reviews are proof that Norwegians don’t joke with Christmas decorations, especially the Christmas tree.

Norwegians pay close attention to their decorations during Christmas. Norwegian Christmas decorations are one of a kind as they invest a lot of energy, time, and money in making the decorations beautiful and outstanding.

So, Norwegians decorate their Christmas trees as much as they decorate their homes because Christmas trees add to the glamour and beauty of Christmas in Norwegian homes.

In this article, I have revealed the secrets of decorating your own Christmas tree in the Norwegian way without visiting Norway at all. Yes, it’s that simple as Norwegian lifestyle is generally a simple one. Read this article to the end to know how Norwegians decorate their Christmas trees.

What is Christmas? 

Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas is a new term. It’s called Navidad in Spain, Natale in Italy and Noël in France. You can see how popular the festival is around the world. Since the early 20th century, Christmas has been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and filled with exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays a pivotal role. This year Christmas will be celebrated on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

Norwegians invest a lot of time and money in decorating their Christmas tree because tree decoration is usually something that is set aside to be done on December 23rd, which is known as Lille Julaften (or Little Christmas Eve). This day is often spent decorating the tree as a family, cleaning up the home in preparation for the celebrations, and baking or purchasing gingerbread homes to be set up throughout the house.

Heart-Shaped Everything

Norwegians love to decorate their Christmas trees with heart-shaped things. Instead of being covered in circular plastic or glass ornaments, Norwegian Christmas trees are covered in heart-shaped paper baskets known as “julekurver.” They are normally embellished with various Norwegian flags and treats and then hung on the tree.

Ornaments, Light, and Candle Holders 

A Norwegian Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments, candle holders, and strings of light utilizing a color theme and integrating gold or silver. Wood, straw, and felt ornaments are other embellishments that are often added.

Candle Lights 

Norwegian candlelights are a classic visual element in their Christmas tradition.

Though Norwegian Christmas trees are lightly decorated with candle lights, they use a lot of candles and ornaments to add to the beauty and appearance of their Christmas trees. Beads, woods and petals are also used.

Minimalism 

A typical Norwegian Christmas tree contains simple and beautiful decorations. Not unnecessary flashy or loud color combinations or muddled designs. 

A wood bead garland, some paper snowflakes, ceramic houses, and a few glass ball ornaments are enough for a typical Norwegian Christmas tree.

If you want to decorate your own Christmas tree in the Norwegian way, these are what you should keep in mind:

Explore minimalism: don’t overthink it, just keep it simple as simplicity is genius. 

Stick to a neutral color palette of whites and metallics.

Use candles to draw the northern lights.

Use natural-colored greenery.

Use a few ornaments. 

Let the natural greenery do the magic.

Incorporate wood tones to give it some warmth.

So, if you want to decorate your Christmas tree the Norwegian way, you have to first fall in love with simplicity and minimalism. This is the tradition of Norway that manifests in everything they do. Thereafter, get candles, ornaments, a few flowers, petals, beads, woods and beautiful heart-shaped rubies to decorate your Christmas tree. After you have a tree of course.