Christmas Decor Around the World

📷Mexperience

This month I wanted to see how the world decorates for Christmas. You probably have your own Christmas traditions, decor and specialty foods passed down from the country your ancestors came from. Along with Christmas decor, I am going share some recipes from different cultures around the world as well.

To begin our world tour I will begin with Scandinavia where my ancestors came from. My daughter lives in Norway, and we had an opportunity to celebrate Christmas in Norway one year. She created several traditional, Norwegian Christmas dishes, some featured below.

We will begin our tour with Scandinavia; Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

📷piperandleaf, scandification, nordicnest, hannanderson, yourlivingcity, bitsofivory

There are so many traditional Scandinavian decor traditions. Left to right;

❄️The Advent is very important at Christmas time. The above advent candles are lit and the heat moves the chimes to make a tinkle tone. A candle is lit every Sunday before Christmas.

❄️The story of St. Lucia; This story dates back to 304AD,Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters. Lucia wore candles on her head to be hands free to serve the poor peasants living down in the catacombs. She was persecuted for her deeds and became a saint, St Lucia. Many communities name a St. Lucia for the Christmas season.

❄️The Dala horse is Swedish in origin, were made originally as toys.

❄️Of course the popular gnomes, or "Nisse' " are displayed. A "Nisse"; A nisse (Danish), Norwegian: tomte (Swedish), tomtenisse, or tonttu (Finnish) is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore. According to tradition, the nisse lives in the houses and barns of the farmstead, and secretly acts as their guardian. They have become very popular in the USA today!

❄️The most beautiful sweaters come from Scandinavia! We traditionally wear our Norwegian sweaters at Christmastime.

❄️In almost every home an Advent star will be hung in the windows, representing the Star of Bethlehem.

❄️Finally, the "Julehjerte", Christmas heart, made famous by Hans Christian Anderson, are woven out of paper can be filled with candy.

📷essentialhome.eu

For many, Scandinavian trees, less is more.

Celebrating the natural tree and it's fresh pine

fragrance.

I recently made traditional Kramkake for my family.

Traditional Krumkake recipe from

True North Kitchen here

❄️Traditional Krumkake press sits on the stove itself. I purchased a Pizelle iron at Target that is perfect for Krumkake. Once dough is cooked like a thin pancake, remove, while hot, roll around wooden wand to create a cone. Let cool. Fill with creme fraiche or wipped cream, top with fresh fruit!

📷TrueNorthKitchen

Traditional Norwegian Christmas faire are two traditional dishes that are contenders for the most popular Christmas dinners – “ribbe” (pork rib) and “pinnekjøtt” (lamb or mutton rib). The former has been the overall prime choice for years, but the popularity of pinnekjøtt grows for each passing year.

We enjoyed pinnekjøtt for our Norway Christamas. 📷scandikitchen

🎄"God Jul"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🇲🇽Our next stop, Mexico!

I love all of the bright dyes used in Mexican textiles, it seems Christmas is just as vibrant!

❤️🧡💚💙💜

📷Mexperience

It wouldn't be Christmas without a

Christmas Pinata filled with sweet treats!

There are so many pinatas to choose from. The Seven Point Pinata represents, the biblical, seven sins. Along with pinatas, you may find elaborate nativity scenes or "Nacimento" displayed in homes across Mexico. Do you have a nativity scene?

📷latintimes

📷tree-creativeadventurer👉

Bright, handmade ornaments create a joyful,

holiday experience!

Many handmade Mexican ornaments can be found in handmade markets, like Etsy.

A favorite dessert, a fried dough dessert, similar to donuts,