Hygge in the Fall
Amidst the cooler weather and the pretty décor we find ourselves longing for the coziness and sweetness the season brings. For us, filling the home with pleasant and cozy things is a way of life. We like to make our home as hyggelig as possible. Fall provides wonderful opportunities to gather together and enjoy good food and conversations. So what’s in a name? Hygge (pronounced Hoo-ga) is coziness, well-being, special moments, and works just as well as hominess or gezelligheid (Dutch word meaning the same). Hygge is also a wonderful for socializing. Since it is such a relaxed and cozy form of socializing it is great for introverts as well.
These seasons are great for making memories. Start new traditions with family or friends. It might be board games on the first Saturday of every month, or driving around to see the fall leaves and decor with hot cocoa in hand. It can be whatever meaningful activity will knit the group more tightly together over the years.
No recipe for Hygge is complete without candles. When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, an overwhelming 85 percent will mention candles. There is no faster way to get hygge than to light a few candles and create that cozy and warm atmosphere.
According to the European Candle Association, Denmark burns more candles per head than anywhere in Europe. Each Dane burns around thirteen pounds of candle wax per year! To put into context, they consume six and a half pounds of bacon per year (yes, bacon consumption per capita is a standard metric in Denmark). :)
Denmark’s oldest producer of candles, doesn’t even included scented candles in their product range. Scented candles are considered artificial, and Danes prefer natural and organic products. Danes rank towards the top of the list in Europe when it comes to buying organic.
According to the European Social Survey, Denmark and the Netherlands are among the countries with the fewest people who seldom enjoy life or rarely feel calm and relaxed. Also these two countries represent the very top of the official happiness charts commissioned by the UN. I truly believe laughter and happiness is the best medicine.
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy cake, and that is almost the same thing. :) When you do something that is considered rewarding, a chemical releases in the brain, and the signal substance dopamine is activated. In short, we associate a certain kind of food with the feelings of pleasure, which makes us want more. Hygge is something that is supposed to be and feel good for you. That means if you want to eat cake, have some cake. But at the same time, we must know when to stop. It isn’t very hyggeligt to have a stomachache. ;) The word Danish may be synonymous with pastry but Danes actually have a very healthy diet. ... In fact, the Nordic diet, with its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and lean meat, is so healthy that it's replaced the Mediterranean diet as the 'it' diet of the moment.
Some of my favorite memories are being with all of my grandparents. Not just biased, they are some of the most amazing people you’d ever meet and some of the most humble. They have friends all around the world. We always have so much fun and and we have heartfelt wonderful conversations. My Dutch grandparents are sure to always have some sort of chocolate and cookies around. They love their sweets! They are the most peaceful and happiest people I have ever known. They live an easy going carefree life, they make light of things to keep a positive and cheery mind, and they also deeply invest in other people’s hearts. There is so much to be said about that. They very much embrace the gezellig and hygge lifestyle since living in the Netherlands for so many years. It is their way of life and I have very much been inspired by them over the years.
The pastries in Holland and the Danish pastries and cakes are like no other. There is no shortage of sweets there. A lot of love goes into them. It brings happiness… And happiness equals good health and longevity!
Here are some Delicious Fall desserts that are sure to bring everyone hygge and joy and nostalgic memories!
Confectionary, cakes, and pastries may be hyggelige, but there is more to hygge food than just sweets. Hygge may be comfort food, but it is also very much slow food.
How hyggelig a food is also lies in its preparation. The longer the dish takes to cook, the more hygge it is. Preparing hygge food is about enjoying the slow process of it, about appreciating the time you spend and the joy of preparing something special. Something that is fresh and homemade, like jam for example, is so much more hyggelige than store bought. Every bite creates a nostalgic memory of the smell in the house and the value of your work.
Crock Pot Beef Stew is one of our favorite, one of the most incredible dishes… And talk about the most heavenly cozy aroma.
HVID GLØGG (DANISH WHITE MULLED WINE)
Hot drinks are what 86% of Danes associate with hygge. It might be tea, hot chocolate, mulled wine, but the Danes favorite hot drink is coffee. For some of the best coffee ever click HERE.
Mulled wine is very popular especially with the holidays. Above is a Fall mulled wine recipe. There will be more for Christmas time. :)
For the cooler seasons here are some cute and cozy things to bring you some hygge.
DIY projects are very hygge. Anything homemade is gratifying and holds meaning. Here are a few Fall DIY projects.
Click HERE to see my original Hygge article. :)
I hope you are inspired to bring a little extra hygge to your home this Fall!
