holiday hygge
What comes to mind when you hear the term hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga")?
Candles, fireplace, cozy socks, books, layers of blankets??
Hygge, though trendy, is not about spending money, and it has much to do with the feelings of being at home - present and filled with contentment. It is about keeping things simple and enjoying what is right before us, slowing down and living in the moment.
I've learnt that hygge is most well-known as a Danish term. Still, it derives from the Norwegian word hugga, which loosely means "to comfort" and is also related to the English word "hug."
What do we crave most in these long winter months?
Comfort, warmth and being safely tucked indoors away from the harsh elements.
Although it doesn't have any particular season, we tend to discuss hygge more during our long winter months. We seek many of these feelings while we are stuck indoors, and during the holiday, the pace can be incredibly hectic, so we look for ways to slow down.
With this in mind, here are 5 tips for creating a bit of hygge at home this holiday season.
Create your own cozy spot to tuck into
Bring your favourite candle and luxurious blanket and cozy up with a book and tea. Soft tones and layers are crucial to crafting the perfect spot.
Reduce your screen time
This time of year, I will put the phone on a serious timeout and grab a book or work on my latest puzzle instead. Often, the TV screen works fireplace flickers away.
Make your favourite nourishing meal for the family.
In our house, it's risotto season (one of my specialties). Something is calming about standing at the stove stirring this kind of meal.
Savour a slow start to the day
While it's dark outside, set aside a few extra minutes in bed, slowly waking up. Stretch, drink some water, journal and savour the slowness. I like to do this before everyone else in the house wakes up.
Minimize your stress and say no to all the holiday obligations
It seems self-explanatory, but we could all use permission to skip a few more obligations this holiday season, right? This year, I am not putting the pressure on myself to do activities like baking unless I feel like it. Just one simple thing.
I encourage you to experiment with hygge this holiday season.
Until next time,