I first learned of the term Hygge ( hyoo-guh) right before traveling to Scandinavia for our honeymoon. Winters can be kind of rough here, so this way of living made perfect sense to me. I’ve decided to make this way of living not just in winter months, but at all times of year because we need good atmosphere always.

Denmark is a country that is often rated one of the happiest countries in the world. When visiting Scandinavia, we embraced their culture, and attempted to bring it home with us.

Hygge is a concept that has recently gained popularity. According to Meik Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge, this phenomena is “about an atmosphere and an experience rather than about things.” According to his book, there are ten elements to help achieve this feeling of home and comfort. Let’s take a look.

So, how do we do this? It is important to find pleasure in little experiences – to notice these moments. My husband and I have created a Hygge advent calendar in the past so we can enjoy something special and unique together each day. We also try to create a home filled with memories of experiences and fill it with life by adding beautiful houseplant creations. Some things you may want to try to include:

1. Light candles at dinner.
2. Put on those fuzzy socks when you are around the house.
3. Plan special meals and eat slowly. Enjoy the act of cooking and eating.
4. Create a little book nook with pillows and blankets. Make time to read.
5. Enjoy a warm beverage such as tea, coffee, or hot cocoa when the sun goes down.
6. Avoid reaching for your phone when you have down time.
7. Try to stay connected to others. Zoom, Facetime, recipe exchange, virtual bookclub, etc.
8. Go outside when you can. According to cold cultures, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Enjoy time outside during daylight by going for a hike, playing in the snow, or sitting by a bonfire.