Being Scandinavian, hygge has always played a part in my life, even long before I even knew what it was and certainly long before it became quite the buzz-word that it is today.
The word itself is hard to translate directly, as the English language has yet to come up with one word that encompasses everything that hygge is. To put it simply, hygge is a feeling. It means feeling safe and warm and cosy. The pleasure you get from enjoying the little and lovely things in life. It means being happy in your home – and comfortable and snug and relaxed.
In Scandinavia, our winters are long and cold. It gets dark early in the afternoons, and much as we are pretty outdoorsy types, when it comes to these months, much time is also spent indoors – enjoying hygge for all it is worth. I remember winters when I was little, how every early morning and every afternoon, when it got dark outside, my mum would light candles. The fire would be lit. Often, friends, both mine and my sister’s and also adults, my parents’ friends, would drop in for a chat or some coffee. Or we’d go over to neighbours’ houses for the exact same ritual.
Hygge is a very social thing, in that you spend time with people you care about. Coming up to Christmas, for the whole month of December, my mum would host weekly craft evenings – ‘juleverksted’ – where all the kids from our street would pile around our dining table make Christmas cards or help decorate gingerbread houses, or just curl up on the sofa for impromptu movie nights and hot chocolate.
Hygge also has a lot to do with decor, about making your home as cosy and inviting as possible.
Like the sound of it all? You are not alone, as hygge is predicted to be one of the biggest home- and wellness movements in 2017 – meaning we have only just seen the tip of the hygge iceberg.
And if you fancy injecting a little ‘hygge’ into your life this winter, we have teamed up with BIC Mega Lighters to bring you five very simple methods of doing just that:
1. Make time for family – and friends
Togetherness and spending time with family, friends and even neighbours are central to hygge. It doesn’t have to be complicated or involve a full-blown dinner party, either, the point is just spending time with people you care about.
Host a family movie night and snuggle down under blankets on the sofa, have the neighbors over for mulled wine (or regular wine) or gather the extended family around on a Sunday morning for a long, lazy winter brunch.
2. Light candles
Flickering candles are such an important part of being inside in the winter– and essential to hygge. Replace the harsh electric lighting (as much as possible) with the lovely glow of candles, and create the perfect cosy refuge from dark winter evening.
3. Enjoy the moment
Many of us practice hygge – maybe without even knowing it – on Sundays. We relax with the paper. Enjoy lazy family breakfasts. Chill out at home. But the key to hygge the Danish way, is to do it every day, to make it a part of how you live.
Carve out time every afternoon to just curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea (or hot chocolate). Chat to a friend on the phone – and don’t try to multitask by folding clothes or writing out shopping lists while doing so, focus just on talking to them.
Make time to just enjoy and relax, like by having a bubble bath before bed, taking a post-work nap on the sofa or get into the kitchen and bake something.
Invite friends for impromptu dinners where the focus in more on being together than trying to impress anyone with your cooking skills.
4. Make you home extra cosy
When it comes to your home, making it extra cosy for winter is totally in keeping with how Scandinavians do things.
Think lots of extra cushions and throws on sofas and arm chairs. Change your rug to a deep pile one that is soft and warm to step onto, or even sitting down on for playing games or watching movies. Sheep skins draped over chairs or put straight onto floorboards are perfect (Ikea has its ‘Ludde’ which is so reasonably priced, you can get one for every room in your house).
Dim harsh ceiling lighting for softer task lighting – or candles.
The nicest compliment you can pay a Scandinavian about their home is that it is ‘hyggelig’ – meaning it exudes hygge. A hyggelig home is a home that feels lived in; a home that reflects who you are and tells your story.
5. Eat real food
Hygge has a lot to do with socialising over food and drink, but think comfort food and relaxed and informal get-togethers over fancy dinner parties.
Homemade, rustic food like roasts or stews or comforting soups are perfect these cold winter months, and is also great for enjoying with a larger group of friends and family.
Think simple, wholesome food, preferably cooked with the help of loved ones. Sharing platters, mismatched tableware and plenty of delicious treats for dessert.
BIC Mega Lighters, an essential, reliable tool in creating a magical atmosphere for your family, is presenting an evening dedicated to making your setting of choice heart-warming. ‘The Art of Cosy Living’ is a fireside chat with the best-selling author of ‘the Little Book of Hygge’ Meik Wiking.
For more information on availability as well as tips and handy product information, please visit the Bic website: www.myBiclighter.com.
