How to throw a midsummer party

Known as St John's Day in Scandinavia, midsummer is a cause for great celebration in the Northern European countries, the period of time centered upon the summer solstice. For this year’s midsummer, we’ll take you through our top tips for hosting your very own midsummer’s party.

Folklore

“Midnight Sun mythology is a well-known part of Scandinavian folklore. Most beliefs centre on the longest day of the year, Midsummer (“Juhannus”), at the end of June. A popular belief has to do with a young maiden collecting seven flowers under her pillow on Midsummer night, resulting in her future fiancée showing up in her dreams.” Source Visit Finland So today – let’s celebrate with our European cousins and bring family, friends and the community together in joy.

Use your personal style

One of the joys of summer is the golden glow the world gives – with midsummer, much like Scandinavian all year around, it’s all about enjoying your surroundings. Light candles – put some ambient music on and decorate with fresh seasonal flowers and fruits. Perfect for that warming hygge feeling. Use your surroundings, gather foliage and create beautiful seasonal floral displays to create a personal touch to your party, we always find a personalised homemade gift for each guest adds to the gathering and often people give out flowers in celebration of the summer.

Iittala

Your table top style

Go classic with Georg Jensen or add in your own style by layering different patterns and designs with the Kasthelmi range by Iittala or Marimekko’s Oiva tableware – layed over a big sheet of fabric to give a colourful backdrop, not forgetting a helping of candles and decorations on the table to make it alive with colour. Add in fabric textures too to keep warm as the evening cools off, for the day throws act as a beautiful addition to your setting and throw on in the evening to ensure your guests linger on into the night.

Make a perfect midsummer cocktail

We love cocktails and we also love having the perfect glasses to serve it in. Make this delicious midsummer cocktail with Scandi favourite Aquavit and serve in style.

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz aquavit
¾ oz manzanilla sherry
¼ oz St.Germain elderflower liqueur
Twist of lemon for garnish
Flowers for garnish on the outer glass

Directions:

Add all your ingredients to a mixing glass full of ice and stir for 30-40 seconds
Strain into a chilled glass of your choice – short cocktail
Tip! Add flowers to your ice cubes to give a stylish update to your drink

(Recipe taken from Honestly Yum)

To serve:

Socks rolled down glasses by Marimekko for a twist on traditional glassware
Essence by Iittala, ever classic and perfect for adding floral additions to
Ultima Thule by Iittala, the classic Scandinavian design, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Finnair.

Watch cocktail making videos here with the Ultima Thule collection.

Stay late

Lanterns are a great way of adding extra light and atmosphere to your outdoor parties. We love the classic ships lamp by Stelton that can be carried around to help light your way in the dark. They is great contemporary lanterns by Iittala and Marimekko which give a Finnish essence to your midsummer party. And do as the Norwegians do and gather around a blazing fire, Skagerak’s Helios firepit also acts like a grill for cooking your midsummer delights. After all this is set - it's time to welcome your guests with music and dancing - mix up your guests to introduce them to new people and enjoy the midsummer celebrations. Welcome to midsummer! We would love to see our you celebrated your midsummer, share your pictures with the hashtag #SkandiLiving to join our conversation.