Turning Your Home into a Cozy Hygge Haven for Thanksgiving

How to enjoy the best time of the year — hygge-style

The first time I heard about hygge was when I was working in Brussels for an NGO funded by the European Commission.

The small company served as a cultural melting pot. It ran under a skeleton crew hailing from all corners of the Old Continent. So it was my Swedish colleague who introduced me to hygge.

Now I‘m back home in Portugal. The holiday season is just around the corner, and the latest IPMA weather reports talk about some chilling days coming our way due to a “cold and dry” polar air stream.

Bad weather is supposed to kick off on December 1st, but this Thanksgiving, I can feel things becoming frosty, and last night I had to add an extra blanket

Waking up this morning, it felt like temperatures were surely taking a nosedive here in the northern part of the country, and the wind was cranking up in speed.

So we’re headed for some serious “thermal discomfort."

At least that’s what I keep hearing on the news.

Oh well, I feel a bit under the weather, so there’s no better time to create a cozy ambiance at home.

With climate change setting in, we are experiencing increasingly harsher conditions, even here in my country too. This also explains why the Scandinavian winter lifestyle is now increasingly popular in the south of Europe.

I feel that more and more non-Scandinavians will become interested in this aspect of Scandinavian life sooner rather than later.

So, it’s the perfect time of the year to dive into the cozy world of hygge and figure out what it’s all about and how to bring some of that magic into our lives.

Hygge is a way of life that comes with the changing seasons. According to my friend, Scandinavian culture is full of cozy traditions that make you want to hibernate for months on end.

Scandinavians have embraced the winter months in their own particular way and learned to adapt to the harsh weather conditions they live in. People stock up on special hot beverages and Scandinavian delicacies to kick off this special time with friends and family.

When we had meetings in the office with our Scandinavian partners and facilitators, we would get marzipan and licorice treats or Swedish canned Matjes Herring that would go nicely with Finnish crispbread.

With such an emphasis on spending quality time together, Scandinavians design their homes to create cozy environments year-round—not just during holidays.

After all, hygge is an essential part of their culture.

The word ‘hygge’ means much more than being cozy in Danish. It’s a state of mind—a way of life. The Danes embrace it all year round, and we can learn from them!

The word hygge originates from the Danish word hyggeligt.

As with the Portuguese saudade, hyggeligt also defies English translation.

So, if I get it right, Danish people use the term ‘hygge’ to refer to a way of life emphasizing sociability and warmth.

It’s not about spending a lot of money on constant new things; it’s about spending time with the people you care about and enjoying the simple things in life.

Hygge is not only a state of mind but also a way of living with habits that give comfort to both the individual and the community. It’s a way of celebrating the little things in life and keeping a positive attitude.

My Swedish colleague on those cold winter days in Brussels would explain how life in Scandinavia is not just about the great outdoor activities and amazing sights. It’s also about the culture, its stunning traditions, and a strong sense of community.

During coffee breaks, we’d sip on hot tea and snack on cinnamon cookies because, as she aptly put it, that’s what hygge is all about.

Hygge isn’t just about drinking hot cocoa and snuggling under blankets. Those activities are merely small pieces (albeit important ones) of a much larger puzzle.

Hygge, she explained to me, is also about forging connections and fostering friendships.

In the winter, our mood goes as low as the temperatures. Overcast skies, biting winds, and snowfall are not exactly ideal conditions for keeping that sunny disposition intact. In such conditions, hygge is about creating a warm and cozy feeling in everything that surrounds you.

While there isn’t one singular way to achieve hygge, there are several practices you can use to help achieve it in your everyday life, but I’ll get to that later on.

So it doesn’t matter if you live in Finland or Alaska; you know you must keep looking for ways to beat those winter blues with hygge.

This is why I’ve got a great collection of winter hygge ideas and tips to help you on your way.

I’m already in the process of turning my small apartment into a cozy haven in antecipation of the forthcoming long, cold winter nights. Now it’s the best time of the year to be hygge.

Inside, I have stocked up and it’s time for candles to come out. My tabby cat named Mia is already snuggling up under warm blankets and I feel like doing the same.

Beyond my windows, I can enjoy nature’s beauty with a hot cup of coffee or tea while gazing to the horizon.

There are endless ways to hygge your home and life during the long winter months to promote happiness.

There’s no better way to stay warm than to snuggle up with loved ones, feast on hot chocolate, and play games.

It’s time to learn some helpful practices that can help you embrace these frosty months too

• Decorate your home with warm tones, add candles, and fill your home with scented flowers to create the perfect hygge atmosphere.
• Light a scented candle and curl up with your loved ones under warm blankets or cozy pillows.
• Keep a pot of tea, coffee, or cocoa on your stove to keep yourself warm.
• You can also try making your spicy masalas to add a bit of warmth to your meals.
• Pull on some warm socks and boots when it’s cold outside to create a more intimate atmosphere in your home.
• Add a scented oil diffuser to create an atmosphere of calm and well-being.
• Keep a journal in your home to encourage introspection and creativity.
• Settle in with your favorite book or Netflix series.
• Don’t skip the morning coffee and smørrebrød.
• Rub your feet with a soft cactus mohair sock.
• Bake yourself a batch of traditional gingerbread cookies.

Take time to appreciate the little things, like your favorite blanket or mug. But don’t forget to get outside and enjoy the sun, too.

Keeping cozy in the winter doesn’t have to be a struggle.

Hiding away in a cozy home is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and Danish Hygge helps make it even better with its emphasis on creating a warm and welcoming home.

I’ve learned how practicing hygge helps me relax, connect with friends and loved ones, and enjoy a more relaxed life.

The Danish Hygge philosophy aligns perfectly with Thanksgiving gratitude for all the blessings we have received. I see it as a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life. So don’t let the cold winter months put a stop to this. With a little effort, you can create the perfect environment for hygge.