“Material goods rarely alter our levels of happiness, unlike emotional experience.
Having can never replace being."
-Ilsa Crawford
There are moments when it feels like life is happening to us - coming at us going 500 mph. The holidays are one of those times that can easily feel like that. We're preparing for an endless season of parties and gatherings, shopping for presents, helping the kids finish up any schoolwork before the holiday break and taking them to holiday sports tournaments, decorating our houses, and baking enough cookies to feed the city three times over. Is all of that necessary though?
The holiday season as far as the media is concerned is designed to give us anxiety - FOMO (fear of missing out). We don't want to miss this party or that game...we want our houses to look as good (or better) than the neighbors'...we want our cookies and cakes to be the ones that everyone raves about at next year's parties. But these things fill us up temporarily.
Hygge (pronounced Hoo-guh) is the opposite of all of that. Norwegian in origin and adopted by the Danes, hygge is a feeling of coziness, contentment, and the act of slowing down to appreciate life's simple pleasures. We can use hygge to turn the fear of missing out into the joy of missing out. Even if you aren't familiar with the term, it's likely that you've experienced it before. This month, we've decided to make a list of our favorite hygge things in hopes that you can join us this holiday season in a simplification of our lives.
20 Ways to Experience Hygge this Holiday Season
Snuggle up with the family under a giant blanket and have a movie night.
Settle in for a steaming mug of hot cocoa and a warm croissant with butter.
Take some time out of holiday shopping to stop and enjoy a drink and treat at a local coffee shop.
Light a candle and write a letter to a friend.
Relax with some music while wearing your hyggebuksers (this is a word for your favorite comfy pants that you only wear around the house - they're worn out and probably torn, but you'll never get rid of them).
Enjoy a glass of wine while cooking dinner and listening to jazz.
Take a long bath with your favorite scents and tunes.
Drive around a local neighborhood after dinner and look at the holiday lights.
Spend time reading with the family - either each person with their own book or taking turns reading out loud from one book.
Burn your favorite incense and spend time in meditation.
Wrap up in your favorite sweater and warm slippers while taking some time to listen to music in your coziest chair.
Wake up before everyone else and savor a cup of coffee in the quiet while you make eggs and bacon for breakfast.
Bake homemade cookies and cinnamon rolls with the kids, then enjoy them with a cup of tea.
Take an afternoon nap with a lavender eye pillow.
Splurge on the most hygge blanket ever and wrap yourself in bliss.
Put on your favorite coat, hat, and mittens, and take a walk with the family in the woods.
Write in your journal while sitting by the fire.
Sit alone and mindfully sip a cup of tea.
Get out some pencils, watercolors, or even crayons and create the scene outside your window.
Reread your favorite book from your childhood.
Breathe into an atmosphere of cozy simplicity this year and hygge your holidays.
À votre santé in 2024!
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Our December Favorites
Books
The Little Book of Hygge - by Meik Wiking
My Life in France - by Julia Child
Movies
Journaling Prompt
Meditation
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