Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’). The Danish word for the art of creating a sense of warmth, cosiness and fellowship in the smallest everyday moments.
There is no direct translation of the word into English, but from my eager reading around the subject, I have discovered that hygge is not limited to the fuzzy glow inspired by tea lights and woolly jumpers. Hygge is a mindset, a feeling. It is an experience or mood that cultivates a sense of togetherness and contentment.
Hygge is snuggling up by a toasty fire with a brandy and ginger and delving into a good novel.
Hygge is baking apple and cinnamon bread together on a wintery Sunday.
Hygge is drinking mulled wine and listening to jazz, surrounded by candles with your best friends.
Hygge is a long, steaming hot bath then jumping into new jammies and bed socks.
All these things are hygge and I love them all. It speaks to me, it sings to me! I now suspect that I have been unconsciously living the hygge way all this time, without ever realising it was a…thing.
…