Midsummer is an ancient Northern European summer festival that celebrates the longest day of the year. Different European countries celebrate Midsummer differently, Sweden’s celebration is the most well-known. They dance around maypoles wrapped in greenery, decorate their homes in greenery, eat lots of strawberries and pickled herring, drink beer and schnapps, wear flower crowns, and then go for a late night dip after the festivities die down.
Swedish Midsummer is a celebration of nature and life and light, and tradition says that nature gains magical powers on the holiday. As part of this tradition, Swedish girls will pick seven kinds of wildflowers the night before Midsummer and put them under their pillows so that they will dream of their future husband. Pretty dreamy, right?
This year Midsummer falls on June 24th. Every year as it approaches it makes me feel simultaneously nostalgic for the magic of my Scandinavian adventures and grateful for the beautiful warm summer nights I enjoy in Utah.
Midsummer is an ancient Northern European summer festival that celebrates the longest day of the year. Different European countries celebrate Midsummer differently, Sweden’s celebration is the most well-known. They dance around maypoles wrapped in greenery, decorate their homes in greenery, eat lots of strawberries and pickled herring, drink beer and schnapps, wear flower crowns, and then go for a late night dip after the festivities die down.
Swedish Midsummer is a celebration of nature and life and light, and tradition says that nature gains magical powers on the holiday. As part of this tradition, Swedish girls will pick seven kinds of wildflowers the night before Midsummer and put them under their pillows so that they will dream of their future husband. Pretty dreamy, right?
This year Midsummer falls on June 24th. Every year as it approaches it makes me feel simultaneously nostalgic for the magic of my Scandinavian adventures and grateful for the beautiful warm summer nights I enjoy in Utah.
Even those of us not in Sweden can throw a Midsummer party to celebrate long days, the bounty of beauty in our gardens, and good food. Lucky for us, I have made lots of Midsummer-themed projects so we can have the Midsummer party of our dreams without dishing out for a plane ticket!
Midsummer Parties Past
Years ago I celebrated Midsummer by dressing up and dancing around a maypole with my team, and it was truly magical. You can see more photos here.
The next year I teamed up with my friend and designer extraordinaire Meta Coleman, Merrilee of Mer Mag, Sarah of Sarah Jane Studios, Melanie and Alma of Caravan Shoppe, and Eva of Sycamore Co to organize a huge Midsummer party. We called it A Midsummer Mingle and it was epic, if I do say so myself.
You can find out more about it here, here and here. Wasn’t it beautiful?
Now let me level with you. Both of those Midsummer parties were stunning and magical, and you might be feeling a little bit overwhelmed right about now. Take a deep breath. Remember that I had help on both projects, as should all party planners, and you don’t have to be a professional to throw a gorgeous Midsummer party. You can do it! No matter how low-key or extravagant you want your party to be, I have Midsummer tutorials and inspiration to knock your flower crown off.
Midsummer Projects
Maypole
I made a maypole for the Midsummer Party with my interns, and I know what you’re thinking: “You made a maypole?!” It was a surprisingly simple DIY that I know you can make too. Once you’ve made a maypole, you’ll have the backbone of your Midsummer celebrations taken care of for years to come! Again, find the tutorial here.
Flower Crowns
Flower crowns are a Midsummer staple, and Amy from Amy Anne Floral made these gorgeous and simple Midsummer Flower Crowns for the Midsummer Mingle.
There’s also this Crepe Paper Flower Crown and this one, this Shamrock Flower Crown, these Lady Liberty-inspired Flower Crowns, this Printable Flower Crown, and this tutorial for a Flower Crown Inspired by Art History.
Midsummer Decorations
You won’t want to skip out flowers for your Midsummer party. Use this tutorial to make gorgeous floral arrangements that you can place around in vases or hold as bouquets.
This paper Summer Flower Garland would look lovely draping between the trees or wrapped around your may pole. Because it’s made of paper you can keep it for next year’s Midsummer party.
Speaking of paper flowers, I’ve compiled lots and lots of paper flower tutorials in one place here. These would be great for arrangements, cake decorations, or to wear.
For a decoration that you’ll want to keep hanging after the season changes, make this Midsummer Dala Horse Mobile. It will remind you of your delightful Midsummer party and be a great conversation starter!
Finishing Touches
No party is complete without music, and your Midsummer party is no exception. My friend Melissa Leavitt graciously agreed to make this Midsummer playlist, and I think you’ll love it.
If you serve cake (and when do we ever not want to serve cake!?) this Midsummer Pole Cake Topper is perfect for the occasion.
Food
Look, you know that I don’t cook. Still, your Midsummer party will need food. Go traditional with pickled herring, boiled potatoes, grilled meat, and strawberries and cream for desert. For those who imbibe, Midsummer is also an opportunity to drink beer and schnapps, but as a non-drinker I’ve found that fizzy lemonade does the trick, too. Smaklig måltid (bon appetit in Swedish)!
Glad Midsommar!
I would love to see your Midsummer celebrations! Tag me in your photos with #MidsummerWithLars.
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