A hyggelig time
There is a warm glow from the fireplace. The air smells of tangy Balsam fir. The soft lights on the Christmas tree twinkle. The dog is curled up on the sheepskin rug basking in the heat of the fire. On the mantle are homemade clay pots from our wedding filled with cedar clippings from the garden, and three little reindeers from my childhood. It’s cold outside. I am cozy in my wool socks, under a soft blanket on my couch, sipping warm cinnamon tea and eating a gingerbread cookie. My husband and daughter are sitting nearby quietly reading.
Hygge (pronounced hoogaa).
I have used the word hygge so many times over the past 3 years my family rolls their eyes when I utter (and mispronounce) this delightful word. I became enamoured with this Danish term after reading The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish way to live well by Meik Wiking in 2016. As I take in the scene in my living room, I can’t help but think Christmas is the most hyggelig time of the year. I am in hyggehjornet. And I hope I get another pair of hyggesokker in my stocking.*
* This is the first time I have invoked a triple eye roll. I was cheating as I have the book open to the Hygge Dictionary. Hyggelig can be an adjective or verb. Hyggehjornet is being in the mood for hygge. Hyggesokker are cosy woollen socks. Danish love compound words. I cannot pronounce any of them.
I am flipping through the pages of this cherished book as a refresher. I just finished reading the latest book from Meik. He is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. He now has a trilogy with the newest book The Art of Making Memories: How to create and remember happy moments (which holds a treasured spot on my bookshelf as well.)
The Little Book of Hygge explains the different elements, from candles, soft lighting and comfy clothes, to being together with loved ones and feeling grateful.
All of these ingredients help create a cozy feeling of contentment and well-being.
Rereading the book, I was reminded that Meik started to write about nostalgia and how hygge is multi-sensory, both themes from The Art of Making Memories. The ideas across all three books are cosily knit together, like my hyggesokker.
“Hygge and happiness have a past and a future as well as a present.”
Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge
The Danish may have a word for it, but hygge is for everyone. It is about savouring simple pleasures. Take a pause, light some candles, get cozy, make a hot drink and have a hyggelig time.
