Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word with no exact equivalent in English or Estonian. It means the cosy, safe feeling you get when you are in a warm room, in good company and in no hurry to be anywhere else. Hygge does not call for new things. It is more a choice to take your time and make ordinary moments pleasant.
In Estonia, December is the darkest month of the year, and that is when hygge feels most at home. Our motto, "Rhythm Over Rush", means the same thing: find your own rhythm and do not let hurry take over the day. Here are nine simple tips.
1. Warm, low light
Swap the cold ceiling light for several small lamps. Choose warm bulbs, around 2700 kelvin or less, and place the lamps low, by the table and the window. Christmas lights in the window and on a shelf do the same job.
2. Candles
Candlelight is the heart of hygge. Choose candles made from natural wax and put them on a stable holder. Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
3. A cosy corner of your own
The Danes call it a hyggekrog: a corner with a soft chair or sofa, a wool blanket, cushions and a reading lamp. It is a good place to sit with a cup and a book.
4. Natural scents
Put some water in a small pan with orange peel, a couple of cinnamon sticks and a few cloves, and keep it on the stove over a low heat. Spruce branches in a vase and dried orange slices on the Christmas tree also smell of Christmas.
5. A slow morning coffee
Take ten minutes in the morning without your phone. Make coffee with a pour-over or a French press and drink it sitting down, not on the run. For a taste of the season, add a couple of crushed cardamom pods to the coffee. A good choice for this cup is Reishi mushroom coffee in filter grind.
6. Gingerbread together
In Estonia, baking gingerbread biscuits is our own kind of hygge. You do not need perfect cutters or icing, and shop-bought dough is fine too. What matters is that you do it together.
7. A phone-free evening
Agree with your family or friends on one evening a week without screens. A board game, a jigsaw puzzle, a book or simply a good conversation. For a caffeine-free evening drink, try Spice It Up herbal tea.
8. An evening walk
It is worth going outside even when it is dark. Wrap up warm, pin on a reflector and fill a thermos with a hot drink. If you would like a fresh espresso in the forest or by the sea, the Outin Traveler fits in a backpack.
9. A simple festive table and handwritten cards
Invite a few people you are close to, not the whole extended family at once. Make a simple meal that does not wear you out. Write your cards by hand, because a few personal lines mean more than a pretty picture.
Gifts in the spirit of hygge
The cosiest gifts are the ones you can enjoy together: good coffee, tea, a candle or a blanket. The Daily Ritual Set, for example, has coffee for the morning and tea for the evening.
Frequently asked questions
What does hygge mean?
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a cosy, warm and safe feeling that comes from simple moments, with the people close to you or on your own.
Is there an English word for hygge?
There is no exact equivalent. Cosiness and comfort come close. In Estonian, the nearest words are hubasus and mõnusus.
Do you need to buy anything for hygge?
No. Hygge is above all about time and attention. A candle, a blanket and a cup of coffee help, but the most important thing is not to rush.