Get Cozy with Hygge Decor, Gifts and Ideas
Today, we are going to talk about the ultimate in comfort and contentment during winter: hygge. I am also going to share some hygge decor and gifts for you and those you love and other hygge ideas!
Even though the days are slowly getting longer every day after the holidays, it still seems like a long time until spring! So, I wanted to share some ways to get through the short days and long nights and find comfort at this time of year with the Danish concept of hygge!
The hygge season begins during shorter days and colder temperatures when we need it the most!
Here are Some Hygge Examples
What is hygge style?
It may be cold and dark outside, but it can be bright and warm inside. A few years ago, my friend Ashley shared the Danish word hygge with me, which means cozy, happy, and safe.
After learning the term, I soon realized that my friend Inger, who grew up in Denmark, had been practicing the art of cozying right in front of me for over twenty years when she made me warm drinks and food during the winter season.
I would watch Inger wrap herself in fuzzy sweaters, jackets, blankets, and cute, warm house shoes during wintertime. The bulkier the blankets, jackets, and sweaters, the better. I have seen no one else look so content and comfortable in the cold and dark.
I now realize that she was not only sharing warm drinks, good food, and lots of love but also teaching me how to bring hygge into my own life!
Here is More About the Hygge Philosophy
Since hygge is the Scandinavian word for cozy
The practice of hygge includes long conversations with family and friends and sipping warm tea, hot chocolate or cider. It is quality time for loved ones or just a special time for you! When we don’t have to let lots of distractions get in the way!
I have several friends here in Asheville who have said to me that winter is the time to nest and rest. I think that is another way to define hygge.
How to pronounce hygge?
Hygge is pronounced different than it’s spelled. It’s “hoo-gah”. It is also thought of as happiness in Danish.
Let’s Talk About Hygge Decor
Hygge decorating can be fun but you really don’t need anything special to get cozy and happy, it is really a state of mind!
Lighting lots of candles can be a great way to get in a cozy mood and in Denmark they actually have a word for the person who blows out the candles, which is a lyseslukker, which means spoiled sport!
String electrical lights gives a cozy feel also and may be less of a spoiled sport.
Bring out big soft throws, blankets, quilts and pillows to add a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Making yourself a book/craft nook and a ready corner is a great way to get more content!
Setting up an area for tea or hot chocolate so everything is handy and ready to go makes things welcoming for visitors to be able to help themselves to cozy warmth!
I hope some of these ideas will help you slow down and find the beauty around you and become cozy for the next several months while you are enjoying the hygge life.
Here are Some Hygge Ideas to Welcome the Cold Winter Days
Indoor Hygge Activities
1. Play Some Games.
Whether you play by yourself or with a team, playing a game can be a lot of fun! Whether it is dominos, Operation with the kids, or Cranium with a group of friends, it is a great way to spend some time!
2. Smell the Aromatherapy.
I am new to the science of scents and how they make you feel but I am learning. I recently got a diffuser and have been learning about essential oils. Check out some cozy combinations here.
3. Find Some Laughs.
Whether it is a funny book, social media post, movie, audio, a live performance, funny friends, or even laughing at ourselves, humor boosts our immune system and helps heal our bodies. It is important to remember to be kind in what makes us chuckle.
4. Plan a Spa Day.
Prepare your own ingredients for a facial, bath tub or foot soak and take time self-nurture yourself. Here are a few recipes for some simple face facial masks, bath salts
5. Indoor Exercise
When it’s cold and dark outside and the weather is yucky, try an exercise videotape like yoga or Zumba. You can even attend an indoor class.
6. Fix a Hot Drink.
Whether it be hot herbal tea, coffee, hot cider, hot chocolate or the traditional winter Scandinavian Glogg. It is traditionally made with mulled wine but here is also a non-alcohol version made with cider. Put it in a special mug with a coaster and fun paper straw. Here are some warm mocktails that I hope that you will love! Best Holiday Mocktails (vineripenutrition.com)
7. Plan a Movie Night. Plan a Movie Night. Watch something special and make some popcorn. Make it an event with some popcorn! Here some recipes.
8. Get Creative. Whether it be a craft night with friends or your own private craft night. My favorite things to work on are knitting, felt crafts, jewelry making, and painting. You can also do some creative writing. The sky is the limit to what you can create!
9. Fix something warm and cozy to eat. Try a homemade soup, Spicy Mexican, Thai, or Indian. Your taste buds will thank you!
10. Plant some seeds. I love looking through seed catalogs and picking out some special things to grow. Depending on what you want to grow will depend on when you plant the seeds. Poppies, for instance, do well if sprinkled on the ground during the cold of the winter. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants should be started around Valentine’s Day!
11. Get Some New Bedding. It is no wonder that stores have their white sales this time of year, we need a fresh look. If new linens are not in the budget, find a beautiful worn quilt at the thrift store or even make some new pillowcases with fabric that you already have. Here is a tutorial on how to make them: pillow case tutorial.
12. Light some candles. Or light a fire in the fireplace if you have one. This definitely sets the cozy mood but be safe
13. Spend the day or evening in bed. Light some candles, fix some hot beverages, and read a good book. Feel free to take a nap!
14. Give Back to the Community. Volunteering where you live, even just a few hours a month can give us a warm feeling. Pick a cause that you believe in!
15. Keep a Gratitude Journal. What things are you thankful for? Do you sometimes have a negative attitude about things? Count your blessings with a gratitude journal! I like the idea of the gratitude meter. If you are running on empty, how can you sit down and count your blessings?
16. Contact a Friend. If you can’t meet in person, it can be a call, written, video meeting, or e-mail.
17. Read a good book. When it’s cold outside, escape with a great story!
18. Make a hygge box. Put some of your cozy things so they are handy when you need them.
Where I live, we are fortunate that there are quite a few decent days even in the winter so if this is the case where you live, I encourage you to get outside as much as possible Here are a few ways!
Winter Outdoor Fun
1. Take an Outdoor Hike, Walk or Bike Ride. When the leaves are gone, you can often see more scenery!
2. Plan a Winter Camping Trip. Just make sure that you pack winter gear!
3. Take a Winter Drive. Try a National, State, or local park. Sometimes, you can get better views without the leaves.
4. Build a Snowman. How many winters have passed since my son moved away? Have I missed building a snowman? Not this year. I am even going to plan his or her outfit!
5. Play in the snow. Whether it’s a fun walk, a snowball fight, or even building some snow angels. Don’t spend all your time shoveling snow. Get out and have some fun!
6. Build a fire in a fire pit and roast some marshmallows.
7. Make some Snow Ice Cream. If it doesn’t snow where you live, you can make it with shaved ice. I love the recipe that Stephanie Town Benoit shared this fall in the 417 Magazine. I have been looking for the perfect snow ice cream recipe and this is it! Stephanie’s article last fall on doing fun this this winter has been an inspiration for this blog post also!
http://wlos.com/news/news-13-this-morning/new-years-nutrition
Make a Hygge Recipe
Snow Ice Cream
8-12 cups of snow
1 can sweetened condensed milk (or flavored plant milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Carefully mix vanilla with condensed milk. Add half of the snow in a large bowl and then add condensed milk. Then add the rest of the snow, carefully fold the condensed milk into the snow. You can add toasted coconut, pecans, grated chocolate and your choice of chopped fruit.
Hygge Isn’t the Solution to Seasonal Affect Disorder and Depression
While all of us can benefit from these little hygge tips to self-nurture us, there are sometimes that we need additional help to get through Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD). This is a depression that people get during the gray winter season.
Here is an article from webmd about treatment for this condition. Please don’t hesitate to get help if you need help.
What Kinds of Things Make Good Hygge Gifts
Here is the ultimate Hygge gifts list in Asheville!
- Tea: I love the local company Asheville Tea Company There are so many delicious blends!
- Hot chocolate/sipping chocolate: My friend Inger and I like to visit our local French Broad Chocolates when she comes to visit. Sipping Chocolate – French Broad Chocolates
- Here in Asheville, we have so many great places to get locally roasted coffee, here are just a few places:
15 Vibrant & Best Coffee Shops In Asheville, NC | Uncorked Asheville - Handmade Pottery Mug: There are so many wonderful potters here in Western North Carolina. I have gotten several of my mugs from mudpuppiespottery.com
- Spa Bath Box: There is nothing that makes me feel warmer and cozier that a nice hot bath. Asheville Goods not only has a wonderful spa box but in addition has lots of gift boxes to make you feel hygge all over! Some of the boxes include a tea box, coffee and chocolate! You may need one of each! The Laurel – Citrus & Mint Body & Bath Box | Asheville Goods
- Candles: Check out these beautiful bee’s wax candles made here in Asheville. Hand Poured Beeswax Candles | Asheville Bee Charmer
- Cozy throws and pillows can be found at a local, organic boutique called Nest Organics in downtown Asheville, here are just a few things that they have Home Goods – Nest Organics
- For a great book or to make something crafty, try: Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe | 55 Haywood Street • In Beautiful Downtown Asheville, North Carolina • 828-254-6734 (malaprops.com) or Earth Guild: Tools, Materials and Books for Handcrafts, Home Page
- For handmade pajamas, robes and slippers check out etsy.com
Make Your Home and Entire Being Cozy with These Hygge Decor, Ideas & Gifts
Feel warm and comfy this winter with hygge decor, ideas and gifts.
I hope that some of these tips will help chase away the winter blues! Remember exercise, fresh air, sunshine and good nutrition are some of the other components of good health too! As an Asheville registered dietitian nutritionist, I work with clients helping them plan healthy meals and make permanent behavior changes!
Find the Joy this winter, practice hygge one of the arts of being happy and cozy!
Part of being cozy is finding some warm, yummy things to eat. Here are a few brunch recipe ideas!
You can check out some of the tasty meals that I made on WLOS television with reporter Laura Brigman here! I also will be posting lots of new things too! You can find out a little more about me here!
If you are looking to make healthy eating changes, I would love to help! Contact me for more information how we can work together!
