Looking down at two examples from a workshop for making a nordic willow star festive decoration.

Making a Nordic Willow Star: A Mindful Festive Craft

28th November 2025 - New Experience Number 29.

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Making a Nordic willow star can deliver a lovely moment of mindfulness at a busy time of year.

From getting hands on with a tactile material to taking home a beautiful new decoration, I experienced the crafting workshop as one of my 52 new things in the year.

I love trying new things at Christmas. When the festive season can be so hectic, I really appreciate taking a bit of time out to focus on something completely different, and this was a perfect opportunity.

What Is A Nordic Star?

Stars are a popular decoration in the festive season, but not all stars are the same. Nordic stars tend to have a Scandinavian influence, and generally, (but not always) have eight points.

They’re often prettily patterned, and you’ll frequently find them either made of red and white materials, or embellished with red and white trimmings.

I tried to do a little research into Nordic stars, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of definitive information about them. However, I did find this article which outlines some of the history.

With roots tracing back to the 18th and 19th centuries in Scandinavia, they are connected to Christian symbolism. However, they also offer a symbol of hope. With daylight hours being so short in the harsh winter months in Scandinavia, the stars are a positive reminder that light will overcome darkness again.

They were originally found as decorations in churches and schools, before becoming popular in private homes.

Initially the stars were made by hand with paper, wood or straw, although you can now find them made from many different materials, including willow.

An example of a small straw Nordic star decoration hanging on a Christmas tree with a red decoration slightly out of focus in the background.
Nordic stars were originally made from paper, wood and straw. Image by Inn from Pixabay

The Workshop - Making A Nordic Willow Star

I’d previously experienced a lovely beeswax candle rolling session with Laura and Sam from L&S crafts. I knew we were going to be in good hands and that this would be a well thought out workshop.

They brought all of the materials for us, and provided a helpful guidance sheet that we could refer to alongside their instructions.

Taking place in the basement of Alma Cafe, we had a lovely space to work, and a delicious selection of coffees and cakes for sustenance.

Looking down at a wooden table. There are rods of willow tied with elastic bands. Secateurs, a pencil, a delicious looking cup of coffee and instructions for making a Nordic willow star
Ready for a wonderful willow workshop

Personalising The Design

Our first task was to decide which type of star we wanted to make. There were several different sizes and patterns to choose from, and Laura had brought some finished examples for us to look at.

I selected a design which used three rods of willow for each point. There was even an option to work with different shades of the material, and I chose the complementary contrast of the light and dark rods.

Working With Willow

Close up of rods of willow on a wooden background.
Willow is a really lovely material to work with

Willow needs preparing before it can be used for crafting, and Laura and Sam had already done this for us.

It is such a lovely material to work with. Beginning by cutting the rods of willow to the same lengths, it felt really nice to the touch. 

It was incredibly smooth and supple yet surprisingly strong.

Focus And Concentration - Making A Nordic Willow Star

Weaving the willow was easy to do. It’s a material that’s very malleable and tactile.

Getting started required focus, particularly when working out which pieces of willow needed to go over or under others.

However, as we progressed, and as the points of the star became more apparent, it became easier to get into the flow of the process.

Looking down at a nordic willow star which is in the process of being made
Willow is easy to weave with a bit of focus.

A Forgiving Craft

One of the things I loved about this craft experience, is that nothing was fixed in position until the end.

During the process we used elastic bands to secure the willow in place. So if a rod wasn’t quite lined up as we wanted it to be, or if we’d not got the different shades in an order we liked, it was easy to make those tweaks as we went along.

If it goes completely off track or you’re not happy with it, you can simply remove the elastic bands and start again. It’s reassuring having that safety net.

It was only when we reached the moment of tying the points together that everything was secured into position.

Looking down at rods of willow secured by an elastic band, on top of a wooden table
The willow is held together with elastic bands until you're ready to secure it.

Adding Finishing Touches

To tie the points together we had lots of options. From a natural twine, to taffeta, to coloured threads.

Sticking with the Scandi theme, and suitably festive colours, I cut off lengths of the red and white thread. I then wrapped this over the top of the elastic bands until they were no longer visible.

Laura showed us how to fasten the thread securely, and then how to add a hook so that we could hang up our decorations when we got home.

Looking down at a box of different coloured threads and twines, with a pair of secateurs and a pair of scissors on the side. These are all used for the finishing touches when making a nordic willow star
A selection of twines and threads for the finishing touches


The End Result

Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair, standing alongside another white lady. They are both smiling at the camera and displaying their results from a willow star workshop
Pleased with our finished stars

We were all so pleased with how our creations turned out. Each was unique to us, and really beautiful.

The stars lend themselves to some embellishments too. 

Whilst I love the natural rustic look of mine, I can easily add a string of lights or perhaps tie on some smaller festive decorations and make it look a little different each year.

Making A Nordic Willow Star Is A Lovely Festive Craft To Try

Over the past few years, I’ve managed to find festive crafts to try that I’ve never done before. Each year I’ve added something new, unique and personal to our box of decorations.

Making a Nordic willow star was a thoroughly lovely craft. From the texture of the materials, to the flow of the process, to the end result, it was all incredibly satisfying.

Looking down at some willow rods tied with red and white thread. The red and white thread is also on a roll and there are a pair of scissors on the side.
A lovely mindful craft making our individual stars

I love the fact that the finished star can be dressed up or dressed down. This year, I left it in its natural state, and it looked beautiful hanging on the door in our living room.

Next year when I get it out with the other decorations, it will be a lovely reminder of a creative morning, and a pretty addition to our festive display.

Now I know the technique, it’s got me thinking about what other materials I might be able to apply the process to. Watch this space!

New Experiences Can Help Us To Relax

New experiences come in all shapes and sizes, and whilst grand expeditions and adrenaline fuelled activities have some obvious impacts on us, sometimes it’s the quieter and simpler pursuits that can provide subtle yet meaningful shifts.

Through trying 52 new things a year, I know that trying new crafts brings about so many benefits.

By paying attention to tutors and focusing on processes, it’s an opportunity to give the thinking mind a break as we lose ourselves in the moment.

Whilst we’re engrossed in the flow of the activity, it gives us space to mentally recharge, recalibrate and reset, without us even realising it.

And who knows, you might unleash your potential and discover a talent you never knew you had.

Want To Try It Yourself?

  • To try the same Nordic Willow Star workshop that I went to, take a look at the L & S Crafts website. You’ll find details of upcoming workshops and other craft activities.
  • Have a look on eventbrite to see if there are any upcoming workshops near you.
  • CraftCourses have several willow workshops across the UK, and craft kits available if you want to try it at home.
  • Take a look online for willow workshops and you should find there are quite a few opportunities to give it a go. 

Cost Of Experience

  • Our Nordic Willow Star workshop cost £25 per person. 
  • The price included all of the materials, a two hour session, and refreshments.

Recommendations

  • Be patient. You need to concentrate when it comes to the weaving. Don’t rush and get it all to line up how you want it to. 
  • Get creative. There are so many opportunities to make this your own unique decoration.
  • Ask for help. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure at any point during the make, ask your instructor who will be willing to help.
  • Enjoy getting into the flow. Take some pictures, and let me know how you get on if you do give it a go.

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