Hygge. Pronounced “HOO-gah.” It’s my new favorite word and Danish export. But, what is it, well it’s a lot of things, like:
- spending a cold winter night in with a steaming cup of tea and a good book.
- hosting a candle lit dinner with hearty food and close friends.
- wearing fuzzy socks, cuddling under a blanket and watching an old movie.
- putting on a pot of coffee and starting a craft project on a rainy Saturday morning.
Officially, it’s defined as a feeling of coziness and more broadly a lifestyle that embraces life’s simple, warm pleasures. According to “Hygge House” its “a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day things more meaningful, beautiful or special.” The concept of hygge is why I started My Petite Joys. A lifestyle that celebrates “hygge moments” or “petite joys” is one for me.
The cold winter months of January through March can be depressing, but its a great time to embrace hygge. After all, hygge originates from Scandinavians to get through their long cold, winter nights! This winter has been particularly blue for me but embracing the concept of “hygge” has helped!
Here’s how I hygge:
- Celebrating winter by decorating with its natural beauty.
- Buying flowers just because !
- Snuggling under the covers
- Baking pumpkin bread
- Lighting candles on the rainy and snowy days
With that I have to ask – how do you hygge? If you find yourself suffering from the winter blues — try some of the things above, I promise you’ll start to feel better!
