Northern Light Holiday

So much splendid winter white invites contrast at Christmas. Even a modest tree makes a strong silhouette, its dark branches striking a dramatic pose agains walls and windows free of pattern and color.

Red decorations pop out from the white backdrop with a graphic, candy-cane effect. Like the style itself, the Scandinavian holiday ornaments are clean and simple. And in the best folk tradition, they're straight form the heart.

Straw has a long-standing history in Scandinavian celebrations as the material of choice for making ornamental goats, believed to pull the sleigh of "Jultomten" or Santa. Bring a little of that tradition indoors with these simple ornaments. All you need is a few strands of straw, glue, and red raffia ribbon.