(pronounced HOO-GA)
These days everyone is talking about something called “hygge” and buying The Little Book of Hygge like crazy. At first it seemed like a fad, but the trend has been going on for quite a while now, especially in the parenting world, so I decided to go all-in and see what it was all about.
I was delighted with what I found.
Here are 4 reasons I think hygge is (and should be) a big deal:
#1 – Hygge makes winter easier.
A lot of people love fall but dread what comes after – winter. As someone who traveled full-time for seven years, following moderate temperatures north, south, east, and west across the USA, the most common comment we got from people was, “It must be nice to escape the cold in a perpetual summer!” And truthfully, it was nice – for a while (and if you’re considering it, I highly recommend it). But there’s tremendous beauty in all four seasons, and we’ve missed that for seven years.
In The Little Book of Hygge, author Meik Wiking talks about how Danish people look forward to winter every year and almost idolize it, much like the way we do summer in the US, and he points out several reasons why this helps them enjoy their long, dark winter season – much longer and darker than what we have in the US. Skiing, sledding, baking, reading, writing, and getting together with friends are just some of the ways the Danes make winter easier.
#2 – Hygge makes family togetherness easier.
I often have to remind myself that family togetherness is more than just being in the same room with someone – so much more – and sometimes it helps to have a few tools to make family togetherness more fun.
Some of the things most associated with hygge are hot drinks, candles, fireplaces, Christmas, board games, music, holidays, cakes, cooking, books, and birthdays – all wonderfully fun ways to boost our family togetherness factor. And The Little Book of Hygge even has a chapter on togetherness, too – all about how important it is to lean into family and friends and refuse to let our work lives overtake our social connections.
In a world where family togetherness is continually put on the backburner and constantly overlooked, these suggestions help so much.
#3 – Hygge makes us happier at home.
As a mom (any mom, but especially us extroverted ones), it can be easy to get tired of staying at home right now. And with fall and winter coming up in the US, the staying at home part can make our days feel like drudgery if we’re not careful.
But hygge is all about making our homes feel cozy – like something we long for when we’re away and something we cherish when we’re there. And with advice asking us to stock a hygge emergency kit with candles, good quality chocolate, our favorite tea, our favorite book, our favorite movie, jam, etc., I’m definitely feeling happier to be at home.
#4 – Hygge helps us get into nature more.
Getting into nature is one of the major components of hygge, so naturally, The Little Book of Hygge gives inspiration and encouragement for getting into nature even when it’s cold or snowy or rainy outside.
There’s a saying in Danish and Scandinavian countries that goes something like this: “There’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothes.” And it’s a saying I’m trying my best to embrace this year as our family experiences our first winter in the northern part of the US.
I’m so much happier as a mom when I’m able to get outside everyday, and my kids are so much happier too, so if the concept of hygge helps us do that, I’m all for it.
So, if you’ve been wondering what the big deal is with that strange word “hygge” everyone seems to be talking about these days, I can’t recommend The Little Book of Hygge enough. It might just be the boost you need to make this winter a really good one.
Want to know more about the power of hygge for family togetherness?
Then you’ll love reading “Get Cozy” at togethernessredefined.com.
Celeste Orr is the author of Togetherness Redefined: Finding a Different Kind of Family Togetherness, a guide for parents who long to build deep, lasting connections with their families but may not always know where to start.
She used to say she was a full-time traveler chasing family togetherness away from suburbia, a nomad, a gypsy Mama raising her kids on the road without roots, but after living overseas and traveling to 49 out of 50 states in the US, she’s realized that togetherness is possible anywhere as long as it’s welcomed.
Celeste currently lives on the coast of Maine with her husband Matthew, their two sons Elijah and Malachi, and a rescue kitty named Bacon. When she’s not hiking the mountains of Acadia National Park, you’ll probably find her reading a good book with a hot cup of tea, staring at the ocean, or working on something new for family-loving moms at togethernessredefined.com.
