At Hirsch’s, we are all about helping our customers find the perfect product for their homes. Something like a cosy lounge suite that just makes you want to sink into the gorgeously comfortable couch with a mug of something warm – or chilled, depending on the weather 😉 – and just feel amazing. That’s the feeling of Hygge – and you’ll find so many wonderful products that will help you to find yours!
So what exactly is Hygge? Here are some insights from the experts:
HYGGE - It sounds like a giant hug – and that’s probably what it feels like once you have experienced it! Hygge is a national obsession in Denmark, and it has caught on in many other countries, perhaps because it captures the universal desire to slow down and feel more connected to others.
Hygge is ultimately about atmosphere — which we can take steps to create in our everyday lives. With that in mind, here are several ways to bring a little hygge into your life.
1) Keep it simple.
Doing things simply can be very soothing and satisfying - maybe more satisfying than getting stressed out over something extravagant. For instance: serve mulled wine with some dark chocolate instead of fretting over hors d’oeuvre plates and multiple drink options.
2) Create (the right) light.
Danes select lamps carefully and place them strategically to create soothing pools of light. In general, the lower the temperature of the light, the more hygge.
3) Light a candle.
Speaking of soft light, candles are synonymous with hygge. They create the perfect atmosphere for feeling warm and safe, whether you’re settling in for a quiet night by yourself or enjoying hot chocolate or coffee with a group of friends.
4) Gather around a fireplace – or a firepit, which is more appropriate in South Africa at this time of year. A Big Green Egg would be a good alternative! If you have a firepit, make the most of it. The soothing light and warmth it provides are as central to hygge as candles.
5) Cosy up for a movie night
To make movie night hygge pop some popcorn into the microwave and pile under a blanket with your crew for the watch party.
6) Spark cozy conversation.
To maximize hygge for a group, agree to set hot issues aside for the evening and talk about topics that unite instead of divide. If you’re worried that this will lead to a perpetual loop of small talk, fret not. You can generate some thought-provoking questions beforehand, such as “What job could you never do?” “Do you believe in love at first sight?” “What has been the best year of your life and why?”
7) Play board games.
An old-fashioned board game is an engaging social activity with low stakes — and a high chance of having fun and making memories (two things that are very hygge). Bonus! Beloved board games from childhood can conjure a warm sense of nostalgia, notes Wiking, which enhances the overall sense of hygge.
8) Put a puzzle together.
If even low-stakes competition sets your nerves on edge, gather your family or a group of friends around a jigsaw puzzle, giant crossword, or other cooperative brain teaser. These cozy activities unite participants in achieving a common goal (rather than pitting them against each other) and allow conversation to ebb and flow with ease.
9) Create a cozy corner in your house.
Hyggekrog is a Danish word that describes a deliberately cozy corner in a house. Think of an oversized armchair in a little nook or near a bay window, with throw pillows, a blanket, and good reading material.
10) Surround yourself with things you love.
Our homes are the hygge headquarters so it’s worth surrounding yourself with things you treasure and weeding out things you don’t.
11) Embrace vintage items.
Vintage items tend to exude hygge, with their embedded history and emotional value. Even if you pick up an item at a vintage or thrift store you can often feel the history and resilience of the piece, which helps create a hygge feel.
12) Seek out tactile treasures.
Hygge is about engaging all the senses, including touch. Pay attention to small, tactile things that bring you joy: the mug you love to hold; the throw pillow with the soft, fuzzy texture; the heft and drape of your favourite pullover. Seek out these things when you want a dose of hygge.
13) Listen to relaxing music.
A quiet soundtrack can make any atmosphere feel cozier, so whatever sounds you find calming (quiet jazz, folk, classical, even ocean or nature sounds) can promote hygge. Silence and the sounds of nature can also be soothing.
14) Read a book.
All books are hygge. If you love to read, make books front and centre in your home. And don’t assume that only certain books count; yes, Jane Austen and James Baldwin are great, but the most hygge books are the ones you love, whether they’re sci-fi, romance, or specialty cookbooks.
15) Eliminate small frustrations.
One definition of hygge is “the absence of annoyance.” So even if everything else in your house feels warm and inviting, a drippy kitchen faucet or a creaky screen door can quickly destroy the peace. Take stock of the small things in your house that are easy to fix – and fix them. Hygge will come a lot more easily.
16) Wear cozy clothing.
If you craft the perfect atmosphere for a night of hygge but you’re wearing tight jeans or an itchy jersey it’s hard to settle in. You don’t have to sacrifice style to enjoy a cozy night with others; just make sure your clothes aren’t actively bugging you.
And if you’re anticipating a solo hygge night, bust out your hyggebukser, which is the Danish word for your most comfortable pair of soft pants that you would never wear in public. Add a pair of woolen socks to the mix, and you will be in sartorial hygge heaven.
17) Brew hot beverages. –
Warm drinks — like tea, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and mulled wine — epitomize hygge. Cozy up to a cup of something hot (in your favorite hygge mug, of course) and let the steamy beverage warm your soul.
18) Value experiences over things.
This festive season, make your home the ultimate Hygge haven. Whether you’re relaxing solo or hosting loved ones, Hirsch’s has all the products and inspiration you need to create a space that’s truly special. Celebrate, connect, and enjoy every moment!
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