How to decorate your home with candles

Helsinki, 4 degrees

Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder. Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels. Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies. Elves are glamorous. They project glamour. Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.

You might think I've gone cuckoo for candles now, but I feel I have to share with you readers the beauty of light I find myself surrounded with in our home in Helsinki. If you like what I've done with our home, you might consider it inspirational. Last weekend was the first time I bought home some gingerbread and mulled wine, glögi as we call it in Finland. The scent of them fills our home with the scent of Christmas. I'm also widely and childishly excited about the clear candle holder that I bought from Iittala called Kastehelmi, in Finnish dewdrop. Together with the silver sequin runner, the candles create a peaceful harmony which for me is like eye candy.


Earlier, one of you readers gave me a hint about putting Christmas lights in a vase as Christmas decoration. While visiting Ikea once again this weekend, I became fascinated with another version of more or less the same thing - a vase with Christmas ornaments inside.


Iittala's candle holders are as I mentioned, true eye candy for me, and as you see, I have several of their products. What can a girl do when they are so attractive and timeless?


This time of year, I also like to have some mulled wine, as I mentioned. Usually without any alcohol, but when I go out, even the one with alcohol is yummy. I enjoy combining gingerbread with Finnish Valio's Aura blue cheese. Have you tried it?


Last week when I had my monthly appointment at beauty saloon Blue Lagoon, I thought I would do my nails in a different way for a change. Usually I always have a classic French manicure. This time I added some snowflakes, what do you think of the result?


Here is the lantern I've been talking about! This lantern is placed on our glazed balcony and truly lightens up our whole home!


The second story about Finnish Christmas comes here:

Christmas Elves
Christmas elves, also called Nisses, are a Scandinavian phenomenon. The first Nisse was encountered in Denmark, from where it reached Norway and eventually Sweden and Finland.
The elves that wear red caps became known in Finland through Christmas cards. The earliest Christmas cards were German and Swedish but nowadays they are widely popular also in Finland.
There are many legends about elves. Some say that the elves are the children of Santa Claus and his wife, others say they merely his helpers.
Elves don't have belly buttons and they don't cast shadows – do you know why? Because elves aren't born the same way humans are. They're astral beings just like fairies and trolls. They're born from rose ash, dream weave, beard moss flour, fir twigs, love, joy and happiness!
You know an elf has been in the room, if, when entering, you feel happy and can feel the faint smell of pine, wax, clove and syrup. Elves spread the feeling of well-being and coziness around them.

What's your opinion?

  1. I didn't know all those things about Elves so I really enjoyed that little story. and I'm a huge fan of candles too! last weekend I got almost 200 new candles, some are those tiny tealights but others are really big, decorated, scented etc.
    anyway, your silver decorations are so beautiful!
    and if you're interested in Estonian Christmas customs then I found this web page that is pretty informative:
    http://estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/christmas-customs-in-estonia.html
    do check that out :)

    Maiken,
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

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    1. Thank you Maiken, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the story! 200 candles sounds wonderful! Thank you for the website hint!

      xxx
      E

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  2. I loved the tale about the elves, I felt like I was back at ten years old, reading a chapter of a wonderfully exciting book! I never knew all these things about elves, quite magical! Your display of light is very enchanting, creates such a romantic and warm atmosphere. The manicure looks great!

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    1. Great that you liked it! Thank you for the compliment concerning my manicure!

      xxx
      E

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  3. Hi,
    I'm also big fan of candles and this atmosphere, nice blog. I think I'm your new follower :)) greeting from Frankfurt, Germany ♥♥♥

    jeannyrouge.blogspot.de

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  4. I don't know if you can really go candle crazy... they're one of those things where, at least to me, more is more :) I love how you've decorated with yours, they look so romantic and Christmasy!
    xox,
    Cee

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    1. Yeah I agree! Thanks for your kind comment!

      xxx
      E

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  5. Thank you Francesca for your kind words!

    xxx
    E

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@elisabeth.rundlof