Dala horse in cotton maché – red pattern

Danish design, shaped by hand in India

XO Handcraft is a Danish brand that creates handmade figurines and Christmas decorations in cardboard maché (cotton maché). Behind the brand is Sif, whose love of old craft traditions, recycled materials and things created with his hands - rather than in a factory - is the very starting point for the brand. All figures are designed in Denmark and then handcrafted by skilled female artisans in India.

From recycled paper and cotton scraps to Christmas decorations

The material is what makes XO Handcraft’s characters special. The cardboard maché is made from recycled paper – old newspapers and cardboard boxes – as well as surplus cotton from the textile and fashion industries. Paper and cotton are torn into small pieces and mixed with water and a natural, plant-based starch from plant roots until it turns into a soft, porridge-like pulp. Then each figure is shaped by hand, dried, and painted and decorated with a brush.

Why it’s different from mass-produced Christmas decorations

It’s a time-consuming process where each step requires skill and patience – and where no two characters are exactly alike. Small differences in shape, colour and surface are a natural part of the handmade expression, as opposed to uniform, machine-made plastic ornaments. Remix by Sofie has chosen XO Handcraft because the brand combines Danish design, traditional craftsmanship, recycling and social care with a playful and personal expression.