November 19, 2025style guide

Create a Scandinavian Christmas Table: Tableware, Candles and Barware for Festive Entertaining

There’s something undeniably special about a Scandinavian Christmas. Natural materials, warm candlelight and simple, thoughtful details all come together to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere - perfect for hosting friends and family during the festive season.

If you’re planning your Christmas table this year, embracing Scandinavian Christmas tableware is an easy way to bring that understated elegance into your home. Here are our favourite ideas and pieces to help you set a beautiful, cosy and effortlessly stylish Nordic-inspired table.

Shown in header (from top left): Broste Copenhagen Nostalgia napkins, Broste Copenhagen brand product image, Olina oak chopping board, Kosta Boda Jomo tumbler, Dottir Samsurium bowl, Broste Copenhagen Nordic Sand serving plate, Gry & Sig mini branch with red berries, Broste Copenhagen Judie candleholder, Ester & Erik tapers in Rosehip, Kosta Boda snowball votive, Broste Copenhagen Gracie linen napkin in Thyme.

Start with timeless tableware

A Scandi Christmas table starts with simplicity. Think clean lines, natural textures and tableware designed to be used (and loved) year after year.

Stoneware plates and bowls in soft neutrals - warm whites, gentle greys and earthy clay tones - set the foundation. These muted shades pair beautifully with classic seasonal colours like deep reds, forest greens and golds, so your table can feel festive without being overwhelming.

Look for pieces with tactile glazes or hand-finished details. Scandinavian design celebrates craftsmanship, and these subtle variations bring warmth and character to the table.

Look for:

Minimalist stoneware dinner sets – Broste Copenhagen is perfect for this.
Reactive-glaze serving bowls – we love the Broste Nordic Sea (grey-blue) and Nordic Sand (grey-beige) bowls and serving plates.
Natural wood platters for bread, cheeses and charcuterie – Eva Solo has some great ones in bamboo, and Broste in oak, both in different sizes.

Tableware we recommend:

BROSTE NORDIC SAND STONEWARE OVAL SERVING PLATE

BROSTE COPENHAGEN NORDIC SEA STONEWARE EXTRA LARGE BOWL

BROSTE COPENHAGEN OLINA OAK CHOPPING BOARD

DOTTIR SAMSURIUM CERAMIC SERVING BOWL GREY

See more Tableware →

Add a pop of colour and personality with festive napkins

Napkins are the easiest way to introduce seasonal colour, pattern and personality to your table. If you’re drawn to pattern, Scandinavian festive prints often draw inspiration from winter forests - think berries, sprigs, foliage, and playful woodland motifs.

Linen napkins create a sense of occasion, while high-quality paper napkins offer convenience – and a bit of fun - without sacrificing style. Layer them on top of your plates, knot them with a ribbon, or tuck in a small sprig of Christmas greenery for a Scandinavian touch.

Look for:

Scandi folk-inspired prints – Maileg has some charming Christmas pixy and angel paper napkins, as well as a more graphic tile print in red, while Broste has a beautiful angel paper-cut design.
Linens in classic white or natural tones for minimalist styling – have a look at our Broste linen tablecloths and napkins.
Natural elements from Nordic nature, including mistletoe, holly, fir branches and snowflakes.

Napkins we recommend:

BROSTE COPENHAGEN GRACIE TABLE NAPKINS IN ECO-FRIENDLY LINEN, THYME (SET OF 4)

Broste Copenhagen Nostalgia paper napkins, green & off-white

Broste Copenhagen Mistletoe paper napkins

Maileg Mosaic Paper Napkin

See more Table Linen & Napkins →

Set the mood with candlelight

Candlelight is the norm in Scandinavian homes through the winter months, and Christmas dining is no exception. The gentle glow of candles on the table instantly makes a gathering feel intimate and special.

Mix heights and shapes for a natural, ambient look - taper candles for elegance, pillar candles for warmth, and tea lights for soft highlights across the table.

For an authentic Nordic feel, choose candleholders in materials like natural wood, brass or glass. These create beautiful contrasts with your tableware and help the light reflect around the room.

Consider:

Brass candleholders for adding warmth – try Broste for a modern take, or Stoff Nagel for mid-century Danish flair.
Elegant tapers in surprising colours to tone or contrast with your table setting – try Ester & Erik in our favourites of rosehip, agave or green soil, or stay classic with pure white.
Clusters of tea lights in glass votives – Kosta Boda snowballs are perfect for this.

Candles & candleholders we recommend:

Broste Copenhagen Judie candle holder, brass finish

Stoff Nagel Candle holder, brass

Ester & Erik taper candles (Various colours)

KOSTA BODA SNOWBALL VOTIVES (VARIOUS SIZES)

See more Candles & Candleholders →

Raise a toast with Scandinavian barware

Christmas entertaining often extends beyond the dining table (at least it does in our house!), and well-chosen barware brings both practicality and a touch of style to your celebrations.

Opt for glassware with clean, elegant forms - perfect for everything from mulled wine to festive cocktails. A well-designed carafe or decanter looks great on a table and makes serving drinks feel thoughtful and intentional (and a bit easier).

For an elevated touch, pair your barware with small accessories like wooden cutting boards for fruit, stylish cocktail shakers, or stainless-steel ice buckets. Skål!

What to look for:

Statement drinks glasses – we have some beautiful tumblers from Broste Copenhagen and Kosta Boda.
Nordic-style carafes – Broste Copenhagen’s hue carafes are simple but with a splash of colour.
Natural wood or brushed-steel accessories – Broste’s mini Limfjord oak cutting boards are perfect for cutting limes for drinks, and both Eva Solo and Stelton have jiggers, cocktail shakers and ice buckets in steel. Very stylish.

Barware we recommend:

Stelton Arne Jacobsen Cylinda-Line Champagne cooler

KOSTA BODA JOMO TUMBLER 380ML

Eva Solo Liquid Lounger Cocktail Shaker

Broste Copenhagen Hue Mouthblown Glass Carafe, blue

See more Barware →

Bring the Look Together

Creating a Scandinavian Christmas table is all about balance - simple foundations, natural materials, warm light and meaningful details.

To finish your look:

Add greenery such as spruce, pine, eucalyptus or ivy along the centre of the table – or try some of our Gry & Sif felt branches.
Keep the palette soft and cohesive.
Try not to overcrowd the table so that you’ve got plenty of room for conversation, glasses and serving dishes – and for pulling crackers!

The result is a table that feels calm, inviting and perfect for lingering over good food and company - everything a Scandinavian Christmas should be.

We recommend:

Gry & Sif mini felt branch with bright red berries

These handmade felt mini branches would look lovely tucked into linen napkins as place settings – or use the larger branch with red berries with festive greenery to dress the table.

See more Gry & Sif branches →