Hygge on a budget

   Sometimes Hygge sounds expensive. Blankets, cushions, candles, food. While you can spend a lot on Hygge, it's not essential. A lot of sites give links to expensive shops with jumpers that cost £100+, throws that cost £25+ and candles for £15+. However candles can come for as little as £1, throws for £12 and jumpers for £10. Supermarkets, discount shops and even charity shops can be a good place to find things at an affordable price. After all, expensive things kind of defeats the purpose of Hygge.

  Charity shops have improved tremendously over the past 10 years. Clean, good quality clothing and homeware alongside everything else. Supermarkets often include homeware in their stock and shops like Primark in the UK sell good quality products for low prices. Here a some examples of doing Hygge on a budget.

Throws

Feel free to shop around, especially at your supermarket but Primark sell a selection of throws. Get a new fleecy throw for as little as £12

Primark

Slippers

Boot slippers are warm, comfy and an alternative to thick socks when achieving Hygge. Again many supermarkets stock them but for UK readers. £5 at Primark

Candles

No link here as many are seasonal but most supermarkets stock tea lights at least. While scented candles aren't popular with the Danes, they are not unhygge. There are generic scents but also seasonal ones around Christmas. 

Jumpers

Charity shops, supermarkets, Primark even January sales. They are many ways to get a decent jumper on a budget. Christmas jumpers can sometimes be pricey so if you want one, hit the sales. Keep it as part of your winter wardrobe.  

  These are just examples, it's good to shop around and never write off your supermarket. Wherever you shop, most if not all of them tend to stock blankets, candles and clothes. Also charity shops are worth a look at least. So if you don't want to follow other links to expensive Hygge items go to your local shops and wrap yourself in discount Hygge, the very best kind.

The Hygge Manifesto

   To introduce a little hygge into you life there are 10 simple rules. To achieve hygge, just follow the manifesto.

1.Atmosphere

Turn down the lights. Don't sit in bright fluorescent unnatural light. Sit in candle or soft lamp light. Makes everything more gentle and cosy.

 2. Presence

Be in the here and now. Turn off your phone and all electronics. You don't want the  distraction of messages, a TV in the background or the glaring light of a computer. Be on the present without distractions.

3. Pleasure

Time to indulge. Chocolate, cake, coffee, cookies, yummy goodies. Whatever it is make it sweet tasty and bad for you. It is a time to be comfy and indulge, not be strict and sticking to keto.

4. Equality

This is not hosts and guests, this is friends getting together. Share the tasks and airtime. Everyone can pith in and everyone can talk. Don't dominate the tasks or conversation. You'll in in this together.

5. Gratitude

This may be is good as it gets. Don't complain about anything, problems, issues, things going on. Be grateful for the good. Be thankful you can all get together and have this time. Focus on the positives and be grateful for them.

6. Harmony

Don't brag about things. You are friends already, you don't have to try too hard. It's not a competition, they already like you. Bragging is uncouth and can make your friends feel awkward. You got a promotion when they're still in an entry level job.  Talk about neutral things, not one-upmanship.

7. Comfort

This is the time to take a break. Get comfy and relax, that's what it's about after all. Get out the beanbags, cushions, even the pillows. Lets get out the blankets and all sit on the floor!

8. Truce

No drama. We focus on the positives, lets leave the news and politics for another day.

9. Togetherness

Build relationships and narratives. Talk about things you all know. Don't talk about Pokémon if only some of you are into it. Make sure we include, not exclude. "Do you remember the time we...?"

10. Shelter

This is your clan, your tribe, your family. A place of peace and security. You are all there for each other, you all love each other, you are safe here. You can completely be yourself and relax.

  In short, turn down the lights, cut the cake, turn off you phone, sit back and get to reminiscing with your dearest. 

The Language of Hygge

   While the Brits (I am one of them) often call hygge 'cosiness', it loses a lot when described this way. Hygge is a hard word to translate, it is both an adjective and a verb. You can have a hyggelig (hygge-like) living room a hyggelig time and it can be hyggelig to see someone. It can be said how hyggelit it's going to be and how hyggelig it was. You can wonder if your guest hyggede themselves. The words hygge and hyggelig are almost overused in Denmark, they talk about how hyggelig everything is all the time. It is a hard concept to translate. In English we seem to use the word enjoy in the place of hygge. We look forward and back to things we enjoy or expect to, we hope our guests enjoy themselves. Hygge is not necessarily about enjoyment though. Like I said, it's hard to translate. There are a lot of people who believe it can't be translated. There are other countries that have their own word for their concept of hygge.

The Netherlands

  Gezelligheid translates as cosy, quaint or nice and it seems similar to hygge. A gezellig café would be pictured with a warm interior, flickering candles and a sleeping cat. A gezellig bar would serve only vintage beers and play old records. It is emphasized the gezelligheid is more social then hygge. While they share things such as candles, fireplaces and Christmas as core elements, 57% of Dutch people agree you experience the most gezelligheid outside only 27% of the Danes agree. Also the Dutch say summer is the prime time for gezelligheid whereas the best season for hygge is considered to be Autumn for the Danes.

Norway

  Koselig is a feeling of warmth, intimacy and getting together. For Norwegians, ideally everything should be koselig. A koselig evening would consist of good food on the table, warm colours around you, a group of friends and either a fireplace or candles. Looking back I realise I've had the good fortune to enjoy many of these evenings at the homes of family and friends.

Canada

  Hominess is a word not exclusive to Canada but means something specific to Canadians. Hominess describes a state of shutting out the outside world. It implies a feeling of community and togetherness. Hominess also refers to things that resemble home or echo the feeling of home. Both a situation and property can be homey. Like hygge in is a feeling of warmth, authenticity and togetherness.

Germany

  Gemutlichkelt is used to cover the state of warmth, friendliness and belonging. It is often used to describe the atmosphere at a German beer garden.  Visiting an Oktoberfest in Germany, you are even likely to hear the song 'Ein Prost der Gemutlichkeit' (A Toast to Cosiness).

  Something a lot of people seem to be interested in is the origin of words. Hygge is an unusual word which is difficult to translate satisfactorily. While the word was first written in Danish in the 1800s, it is actually Norwegian in origin.

   Between 1397 and 1814, Denmark and Norway were one kingdom. The original word in Norwegian means 'well-being'. However hygge could come from 'hug', which comes from 'hugge' which, of course, means 'to embrace'. The word 'hugge' is unknown in origin though may come from the Old Norse word 'hygga', which means 'to comfort', which comes from the word 'hugr' meaning 'mood'. In turn, that word comes from the Germanic word 'hugjan', which relates to the Old English 'hycgan', meaning  'to think, consider'. Interestingly, 'consideration', 'mood', 'comfort', 'hug' and 'well-being' may all be words to describe hygge today. If you read all that I applaud you. 

  Today it seems, more and more people are getting in hygge. There are books, articles, websites, blogs (I know I am not the only one) and goodness knows what else about hygge. It is something people worldwide seem to be embracing as a way to improve their lives. Of course, with the pandemic and lockdown, hygge is hard to achieve. It is not impossible though. We are in lockdown with people, sometimes we have a bubble and we can, in some cases, still meet our friends as long as we're sensible about it and follow the rules.  Feel free to read my previous post on how to keep the hygge during lockdown if you want some tips, in the meantime perhaps just use the lingo. which bring us to...

Hygge Dictionary

Fredagshygge/ Sondagshygge (Fredashooga/Sundashooga)

 Hygge you have on Fridays or Sundays. After a long week, fredagshygge usually means the family curling up on the couch together watching TV. Sondagshygge is about having a slow day with tea, books, music, blankets and perhaps the occasional walk.

Hyggebukser (hoogabucksr)

  That one pair of trousers you would never wear in public but are so comfortable that they are your favourite.

Hyggehjornet (hoogajornet)

  To be in the mood for Hygge.

Hyggekrog (hoogacrow)

  A comfortable nook where one can sit and have a hyggelig time.

Hyggeonkel (hoogaunkel)

  A person who plays with the kids and let's them get away with a lot.

Hyggesnak (hoogasnak)

  Cosy converation that doesn't touch on controversial issues.

Hyggestund (hoogastun)

  A moment of hygge.

Uhyggeligt (uh-hoogalit)

  Essentially un-hygge, it means creepy or scary.

  

You can use these words in conversation, in plans and, when we can, invite your friends round for a hyggelig evening. You don't need to learn the lingo but why not? A bit of fun if nothing else. So, go to your hyggekrog, have some hyggestund with a hyggesnak and have a hyggelig time.

I am not affiliated in any way with Meik Wiking, The Happiness Research Institute, Copenhagen, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Copyright infringement of any kind is unintentional.

Light

 The word for spoilsport in Danish is lyseslukker, which literally means 'the one who put out the candles'. While candles are loved by the Danes 4% don't, so it's not a strict hygge rule or anything. Light however, and the atmosphere it creates is an important part of hygge. With short summers and 179 days of rain per year, Danes have little light from October to March. Inside lighting becomes very important when the natural world offers so little light.

Candles

  When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, 85% will mention candles. Now, not everyone likes candles. Some dislike how they smell when you blow them out, some don't like the kind of light they cast and some associate them with unpleasant memories. While it is not a necessity to use candles to achieve hygge it is one of the ways the Danes prefer to do it. Feel free to skip this section and scroll down to lamps.

   The Danes hold the European record for the most candle wax burned a year. The Danes burned around 6 kilos of candle wax a year, the second highest consumption in Europe is 3.16 kilos in Austria, almost 50% less. However, scented candles are considered artificial so scented candles are not considered hygge. I personally find some scented candles quite soothing myself so I don't think I'm being too outlandish to use a scented candle while achieving hygge.

  Of course caution should be used when lighting candles. especially, if you are lighting more than one. Candles shouldn't be left unattended, they should be on a fireproof surface, ideally in a candle holder and they should be kept away from flammable surfaces. Also the room should be well ventilated, breathing in too much smoke from a candle can be detrimental to health. Of course I doubt we light candles with as much frequency or quantity as the Danes but it pays to be cautious.

  

Danish Candle Use

How often:

• Everyday 28%
• 4-6 Days per Week 23%
• 1-3 Days per Week 23%
• 1-3 Days per Month 8%
• Never 4%
• Don't Know 14%

How many at once:

• One 5%
• Two 16%
• Three 13%
• Four 16%
• Five 8%
• More 31%
• Don't Know 11%

Lamps

  Lighting is practically an art form with the Danes. The rule of thumb is the lower the temperature of the light, the more hygge it is. Candles, wood and sunsets is about 1,800 Kelvin, that is you hygge sweet spot. Warm LED lights are usually about right. Usually, several small lamps around a room create a more hyggelit light that one big lamp in the ceiling. Small caves and/or pools of light around the room.

   While it does sound like a small thing, lighting is a big part of hygge. Though it loses some important associations when we equate hygge as 'cosiness' it helps when you think about lighting. A big bright room isn't cosy, a dimly lit room, especially a small one like a snug, is considered cosy. Of course when it is summer, using the sunlight is considered hygge too, don't think you have to sit in the dark to enjoy hygge, just remember not to blind yourself, you can see by the light of a small, warm lamp after all. Enjoy the we time in a cosy setting. 

Hygge in Lockdown

  As Hygge is about togetherness, this is a difficult concept for Lockdown, especially if you live alone. While Lockdown rules have been eased (prematurely in my opinion) social distancing is still in effect (or should be) so togetherness is difficult to accomplish. If however, you are going through lockdown and/or quarantine at the moment with family members or friends, we can put a little Hygge into it.

Lights

  Break out a candle or two. Maybe make it part of a pastime. Play a board game in the dark. Gather round a candle and tell ghost stories. Put up some old Christmas lights and celebrate something, put fairy lights in a large glass or lantern and tell ghost stories that way. Maybe lead people around the house/flat and tell then ghost stories about the house. (You can make it up) “This is the staircase poor Abigail fell down” “this is the bedroom where old Mr Clarke was found, scared to death” Use your imagination. If not just pretend it’s a blackout. As we are not the Danes, as I have said before, we can get out the scented candles too. Just have a bit of fun in a different atmosphere.

  We can also use the natural light, as it is June, the sun can be used. Difficult if you can’t go out or have a flat, but if you have a garden, make the most of the sunshine when you can. If you are in a flat, open the curtains and let the sunshine in, if it is a hot day, open the windows. To make it fun, or just to do something different, have a picnic lunch. In the garden or on the living room floor, have some sandwiches and family/fiends time.

Cosiness

  When the weather is not on our side, bring out the cosy socks, the fleecy blankets and the hot chocolate. Cuddle together under a blanket and watch a family film, or read a book aloud (I recommend Julia Donaldson for the little ones) or just have some quiet, cosy time. Even if you are alone and therefore making the most of ‘me time’ rather than ‘we time’, cuddle up under a blanket with an oversized mug of warmth. Also, why not facetime, or Skype, or video call? Whilst we can’t really be with our friends and family outside the home, we can have them with us in a little more than spirit.

Electronics

  Turn them off and dust off a pack of cards, or a board game. What better time to have fun together than when we are all stuck inside together. While I am sure electronics are a godsend for many people right now (they are for me) we can turn them off for an hour or two. True, family/friends time can involve playing video games together or watching a film together but what’s wrong with doing it the old fashioned way? Maybe look up and learn a new card game, or a magic trick, or buy a new board game. There are so many different ones now (get super competitive with your housemates and play 221B Baker street) there is something for everyone. Have fun together without switching off completely, switch on and play snap.

Food

   Let’s indulge a little; I believe we deserve it right now. Cake, pastries, sweets, lots of sweets. Of course, everything in moderation, but if you don’t feel like the sugar and fat are what you want, break out the slow cooker. True, this is more something to cook warm stews and keep us happy in the winter, but the weather’s not always warm (feels a little like we’re living on the moors with how changeable it is at the moment). Also, maybe this is a chance to play a little with your cooking skills, make a batch of homemade soup, or do some baking, cook together. For a cooler idea, try a new salad recipe (the internet is a marvellous thing) or even try your hand at making a homemade drink. Maybe try a different cordial.  Eat, drink and be merry.

Make a Nook

  The best place to experience hygge is the home, so really this is the ideal time. I know some people have taken the time to do the decorating, tidying, sorting, rearranging etc. that they’ve been putting off. Here’s a chance to make a hyggekrog.

  A hyggekrog is just a cosy nook, sometimes by bay windows but it can be anywhere in a room. Put down some comfy cushions or whatever feels nice to sit on, soft lighting, perhaps a blanket and there you have it, your very own hyggekrog. It’s just a little space to relax, read a book, write something or just sit and let the stress of the day disappear. Unwind and relax. That is what Hygge is about after all.

Exercise the senses

  Hygge is used to describe many things, but safety is one of them, we tend to feel safe at home. But there are many different ways to experience Hygge.

  Listen: to the sounds that you don’t usually hear, background noise. Raindrops on the roof, the wind against the windows, the trees swaying in the wind, even the sounds of someone drawing, knitting or cooking are considered Hygge sounds. I think my personal favourite (in the absence of a fire) is thunderstorms, when I’m safe and warm on my couch. If you like the sound of a fire but don’t have one, get a Woodwick candle. It is a true they are pricey, but they really do sound like a crackling fire as they burn. Not the cheapest way to Hygge (which defeats the object a little) but worth it if you can afford it.

Smell: very individual but a smell that takes you back, that makes you feel safe. Maybe the smell of a bakery, the smell of your favourite dish cooking, the smell of your favourite blanket. Maybe even the smell that remains us of another place we felt safe. My Grandmother’s house I always remember as smelling like cooking, all the time. Whatever smell makes you feel safe, it sounds strange but smell is one of our five senses that can take us back and make us feel safe very effectively.

Feel: Running your fingers over a wooden surface or ceramic cup, very hyggelig. Old, homemade things are there to bring out the hyggelig. They have to be old and dull. Hygge is not about the big and bright, but the small and rustic. Anything made by craftsmanship, wool, leather, wood etc. Anything aged or will be is hygge. Those old wooden ornaments your grandfather made, the woollen blanket you mother knitted. The comforts of home with an organic feel.

Look: Atmospheric lighting is a big part of hygge, but it’s also about taking your time. Watching something that’s slow, like gently falling snow, or lazy flames. Taking your time to look at something that’s slow. A tonic to the mad rush the world is always in these days.

Taste: Make things a little sweeter. Add a little honey to your tea. Add some icing to your cake. Add some wine to your stew. Familiar, sweet and comforting is the taste of hygge.

The Manifesto

  There are ten steps in the hygge manifesto. Makes it sound simple and complicated at the same time but there a rules about hygge some people seem to forget. Now, it is ‘we’ time rather than ‘me’ time as I have said before but unless you’re up to using a video call piece of software (which isn’t the same) a lot of us are on our own right now. Yes we can video call, phone call, chat online whatever, but it’s what we chat about as well. There is also the simplicity of hygge, don’t bring out the bling and the boasting, it destroys hygge.

1.     Atmosphere: Turn down the lights.

2.      Presence: Turn off your phone, be in the here and now

3.      Pleasure: Don’t bring out the kale and protein shakes; bring out the cake and the chocolate.

4.      Equality: Share the tasks and airtime, we are all in this together after all

5.      Gratitude: It is easy, especially in times like this, to focus on how harsh it is that we don’t have some things. Be grateful for what we do have. We are still alive, we still have each other. Take it in, the here and now may be as good as it gets.

6.      Harmony: It’s not a competition we are already friends, no need to show off and talk about your achievements.

7.      Comfort: Take a break and sit in the comfy chair, it’s about relaxation.

8.      Truce: No drama. The governments doing its thing, we can talk about that tomorrow.

9.      Togetherness: Let’s work on these relationships and talk “Do remember when…” “You know the time we…”

10.  Shelter: Friends or relatives, this is your tribe. Your clan. This is your family. This is a place of peace and security.

  Hygge, and all it entails, is something we don’t really think about in times like this, but it is a way of bringing a little happiness into what can be a lonely and difficult time. Remember, we are apart so that when we are together again, fewer of us are missing. We will be together again, until then, be grateful for what we have now and allow yourself some happiness. Never give up the hygge.

Disclaimer I am not affiliated in any way with The Institute of Happiness, Copenhagen or it's employees, Mark Wiking, The Times, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Any misinformation or opinions on this site are those of the author only. Copyright infringement if any kind is unintentional.

A Hygge Summer

  We are almost a week into August so perhaps this is a little late, maybe July would have been a better time for this but we still have a good three weeks of summer left before the days turn colder, shorter and school is back in session. So here is how to have a hyggelig summer. Unless you’re coming to this Summer 2020 or beyond. Of course, this is an instance in which the English understanding of Hygge, cosiness, makes it sound strange. Cosiness is not really a word we associate with summer, but remember, Hygge is not cosiness, it is more than that.

1.       Candles and fireplaces become new-mown grass, sun and saltwater.

Summer doesn’t mean you have to turn down the hygge, it means a different kind of hygge. It involves making use of the sun, warmth and nature.  The two main elements are easy, togetherness and great food

2.       Orchards

  May sound strange but picking fruit in an orchard is a very hyggelig thing to do. Picking apples, plums or any fruit with friends can be great fun and some places even give you the opportunity to make your own cider or jam. There are apparently many ‘pick your own’ farms across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you are from none of these countries there may still be these places, I’m just talking about ones mentioned in the ‘Little Book of Hygge’

3.       Barbeque

Everyone loves a barbeque, even if it does have a reputation for bringing rain. This is a very easy way to brig friends and family together. People often get stuck into to helping with a barbeque and while you’re waiting for it to do its thing, garden games are great fun. If you have a small garden, set up a board game.

4.       Community Garden

  I confess that this means nothing to me. Gardening is not my thing and I don’t really see the appeal of a community garden but that is just me. If there’s not one around, you can start one up. It is a way of bringing a little joy and community spirit into towns and cities. It has become fairly popular so do a little research and stretch your green fingers

5.

          Picnics

  Picnics are great and, weather permitting, are something not restricted to the summer. We think picnics in summer simply because it’s usually the time the weather is most likely to be on our side. A way to probably make it a little different is to take your basket to the beach. Either with a group, your family or just one person, it’s a pleasant day out which takes very little effort.

6.       Cycling*

   It’s clean, fun and good for you. Cycle around. Around your city, town, village, park, anywhere and everywhere. A cargo bike is a good thing to have for children and pets, but just cycling with another person is a good way to get a little summer hygge. If you don’t have a bike, many places, especially specifically good for cycling, hire them out.

If none of these are appealing, buy some cider and invite your friends over for a break and a chat. Just be together and have a hyggelig summer.

*A post on cycling/ bikes and their relationship to hygge is in the works

  

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with The Insitute of Happiness, Copenhagen or it's employees, Meik Wiking, The Times, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Any misinformation or opinions posted on this site are those of the author only. Copyright infringement of any kind is unintended. 

A Hygge Christmas

As a nation, more and more of us seem to be getting into Hygge. As such, it always helps to have a little guidance. As it is November and we are all gearing up for Christmas (and all the stress that comes with it) here are some tips on how to put a little Hygge into the festive season.

Fairy lights and candles. As many of you know, a big part of Hygge is to do with atmosphere and lighting. Fairy lights and Christmas candles are perfect. If you want to try something a little different than stringing the lights through your home (or you have a cat) try putting them in mason jars for a beautiful effect. As for candles, put some tea lights into glass jars. If you have a hearth, put a couple of church candles either side. Also, as we are not Danes, break out the scented candles, there are Christmas themed ones which make your home smell like many festive things, including fresh cookies.

Cosy socks. Many people in this country define Hygge as cosiness, so dig out your thick comfy socks. I love my thick cosy socks. If you don’t have any, go invest in some. Splash out on cashmere, find fluffy slippers, wrap those feet in a bit of cosiness.

Electronics. Turn them off, an hour won’t hurt. Whilst we love to settle down and watch a Christmas film or TV (you missed the Doctor Who Christmas special in our house and you were shamed) it shouldn’t be what you do all day. Switch of your TV, laptop, pc, tablets and phones. Hygge is about togetherness. One of the emphasises of Hygge is spending time with your family. Play a board game or cards. Easier these days now we have the beauty of catch-up. ‘We’ time, rather than ‘me’ time.

Outside. Put on your woollies and go for a family walk. Winter walks were one of my favourite past times as a child. And of course, this opens the door to three more great ways to Hygge up your holiday.

Drinks. We, the English, are a nation of tea drinkers it’s true. Americans seem to favour coffee; we all like our warm beverages. So let’s break out our big, oversized, hardly ever used cups and fill them with hot chocolate. The perfect drink to warm you up after a winter walk. Now we can top this with many things; whipped cream, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, edible glitter. There was a place I used to frequent which served great hot chocolate and if you asked for it with everything, they put a flake in it. A flake! A Cadbury’s milk chocolate flake. I’m going to do that this year.  Also, for the adults who like something stronger, add a little rum or whiskey.

Fire. Another way to warm up is to light a fire. That was what I love about staying at my Grandmother’s in cold weather, she has a real fireplace. We sent our letters to Santa the old fashioned way thanks to that. Many of us don’t have this these days, so put together your fairy lights in jars or, and this is a real thing, pop on a log fire DVD. Apparently this is very effective and people find it soothing. Of course it won’t keep you warm, but I believe that is what central heating, blankets and hot chocolate are for.

 Books. As spending time with the family is a big part of Hygge, snuggle up on the couch with your little ones and read ‘Stick Man’, or ‘The Night Before Christmas’ anything you can read aloud and enjoy together. A good way to all relax and calm yourselves down at the end of a day or after a walk. A way to feel warm and hyggelig.

Friends. Hygge is about togetherness so invite your friends and family over for some mulled wine and mince pies. Unless you invite me, I’ll go for mulled wine and company. Not a mince pie fan. If you’re not into mulled wine or don’t feel up to heating a pan of it, get some sherry. Just as Christmassy. To keep it cosy, enforce a dress code, it’s Christmas jumper time!

Cooking. The food is always an important and stressful part of Christmas. So, if you haven’t got one already, invest in a slow cooker. Before and after the day, permeate your home with the smell of a casserole, or stew, or poached pears. With all the ingredients thrown in and left to cook, not only is it less stressful, it gives you more time to spend with your loved ones.

There you have it, a Hygge Christmas. Now of course you should try for a bit of hygge all the time and some of these tips aren’t exclusive to Christmas, but they can add a little magic to what, for us old ones at least, can be a stressful and tiring time. So slip on the cosy socks, cuddle up with the family in front of a fire, sip that hot chocolate, relax and have a Hyggelig Christmas!