Danish Christmas hearts
Discover the warm Danish tradition of woven paper hearts—then learn to weave one yourself, bring the tradition home or experience it with Rikke in Copenhagen.
A simple paper heart with a very special place in Danish Christmas
In Denmark, woven paper hearts appear on Christmas trees, in windows and around family tables throughout December.
The familiar heart is made from two folded pieces of paper, carefully cut and woven together. When finished, it opens like a tiny basket and can hang from the Christmas tree.
But the heart is about more than paper. For many Danish families, weaving hearts is time spent together—often with several generations gathered around the same table. Some hearts are perfectly neat. Others are charmingly crooked. Both belong on the tree.
Made from paper.
Kept for memories.
Weave your own Danish Christmas heart
You do not need to be in Denmark to take part. Download Ugly Duckli’s free illustrated guide and make your own woven heart at home.
The guide takes you through the folding, cutting and weaving step by step. Print it, find two pieces of paper in colours you love and give yourself time for the first heart. The second one is usually much easier.
The free guide is perfect if you already have paper at home. If you would like everything gathered for you, the DIY gift box contains the materials you need to begin.
Choose your paper
Begin with two pieces in different colours so the woven pattern is easy to see.
Cut and weave
Follow the illustrated guide slowly. The strips pass through each other.
Make it yours
Add a handle and hang the heart on your tree—or give it to someone you love.
Christmas pieces chosen for the Ugly Duckli universe
Explore woven paper hearts, DIY materials, ornaments and small Christmas pieces inspired by Danish traditions.
Perhaps you love the woven hearts but would rather leave the weaving to someone else. You can also find finished woven Christmas hearts ready to hang on your tree in the English Christmas shop.
Please see each product page for confirmed materials, dimensions, contents and origin.
The webshop currently ships to these four countries only.
Weave it.
Hang it.
Give it away.
The loveliest traditions are the ones that find a new home.
Private.
Personal.
Copenhagen.
Step inside the tradition with Rikke
The Private Paper Heart Experience is not simply a craft class. It is a personal welcome into the Ugly Duckli universe.
Together with Rikke, your private group will explore the Danish Christmas-heart tradition, hear stories connected to Christmas, creativity and Hans Christian Andersen, and learn to weave your own paper hearts.
There is time for conversation, for getting the weaving wrong and trying again, and for the kind of relaxed hygge that cannot be hurried.
See the tradition in its Danish setting
In December, Copenhagen fills with lights, decorated windows, Christmas markets and small traditions shared between friends and families.
A few helpful answers
What is a Danish Christmas heart?
Why do Danish families weave paper hearts?
Can I learn to weave a heart for free?
Can I buy a finished woven Christmas heart?
Can I learn to weave hearts in Copenhagen?
Where does Ugly Duckli currently ship?
A Danish tradition is meant to be shared
Weave your first heart, find something special for your home or come and experience the tradition with Rikke in Copenhagen.