Have you seen this word before? Hygge? I hadn’t until a few weeks ago, and now I seem to see it everywhere. Maybe it’s the change of season. Maybe because it’s en trende this season. I don’t know. I even had to learn how to pronounce it. LOL!!! You have to know how to pronounce hygge, if you are ever going to learn how to create hygge in your home for the holidays.
If you aren’t familiar with the term, Hygge is Danish, and is defined on Google as a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of the Danish culture). So, in short… It’s coziness all over. It’s the warm glow of the fireplace. Hygge is a festive holiday dinner with friends. Hygge can be cozying up in your blankets for a good ol’ holiday movie, too. If your goal this holiday season is to enjoy the present moment and feel happy that you’re alive, then it is hygge you’re after. Apparently, the Danes are really good at hygge. Who knew? Well after studying up on the concept, I thought I’d share a few ideas on how you can create hygge in your home for the holidays.
Wear matching PJs and have a Movie Marathon to create Hygge in you Home
Have everyone in the family put on their matching pajamas and join you for a movie marathon while cozied up in warm blankets, a bowl of buttered popcorn and some spiced (or spiked) hot apple cider. Whether you prefer the classics of Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life, or you’d would rather watch more recent family friendly movies like The Grinch (my personal favorite) or Home Alone 1, 2, and 3, you decide. Make some memories with the whole family. And don’t forget to take a picture of everyone in their PJs.
Bake Holiday Cookies together
Get everyone in the kitchen and make all those traditional cookies you only get this time of year. Homemade Gingerbread? Yes, please. Sugar Cookies? A must. Lebkuchen? Delicious! No matter what your family tradition is, get everyone in the family involved. Turn up the Christmas tunes. Sprinkle some flour on the counter, and don’t worry about the mess. You can clean it up later.
Visit Santa’s Village or see Christmas Light displays
Take the hygge with you. Pile everyone in the car… the more the merrier. If you have little ones who still believe, take a trip to Santa’s Village. Sit on Santa’s lap and tell him your secret wish. If your kids are a little older, make them feel like kids again and drive around town to see all the Christmas light displays. I found this fun printable from fellow blogger, Amy, with The Savvy Sparrow. It’s a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, so you can add a little competition to the fun and keep the kids engaged, no matter how old (aka “cool”) they are.
Make Gingerbread Houses to create Hygge in your Home for the Holidays
Whether you make your gingerbread from scratch or purchase one of those kits that comes with everything needed, it’s always fun to make gingerbread houses. Getting your craft on is a great way to bring the hygge indoors. It’s always so much fun to see what folks will come up with, even when they are all given the same supplies. Make one house, or an entire village. The choice is yours.
Spend time outdoors
Hygge doesn’t have to just be in your home. Put on your winter clothing. Grab a few blankets. Put some gas in the car. Make a thermos of hot chocolate and set out on an adventure. Cut down your own Christmas tree. Go snow shoeing. Ski the slopes. Build a snowman and make snow angels. Sit in the hot tub with a Hot Toddy. The choice is yours. Just get outdoors!
The point of hygge, in my opinion, is to make memories with family. Continue those family traditions or create new ones. Coziness comes from within. To quote, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, “It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.” — The Grinch
So, get a little hygge this holiday season. Use one of these ideas to create hygge in your home for the holidays, or create one of your own, but be sure to share it. I’d love to hear how you and your family get hygge.
Here’s to getting hygge and RESETTING your life!
Roberta
Organization isn’t about perfection; it’s about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter, saving time and money, and improving your overall quality of life.” – CHRISTINA SCALISE
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