Have Yourself a Merry Hygge Christmas

The trifecta of Hygge: Warm beverage; flame; coziness

In the past 2 years, the concept of hygge has stormed the Western world. Introverts all over America were finally trendy with their desire to stay home, in their pajamas with a cuppa and a good book. Of course, I have to remind you how to pronounce it (otherwise, I'm not blogging about it properly): hoo-ga although who really knows with these Danes. It is a Danish lifestyle which seems to be the pursuit of cozy, satisfying moments; think of those times that you were snuggled in bed, listening to the rain outside; or the latte you always get in your favorite coffee house with an acoustic album of Coldplay on the sound system while a dusting of snowflakes come down. These are all hygge moments. It's worth noting that, for maximum coziness, the opposite needs to be happening. You feel cozy in your bed because it's raining outside and you're not in it.

As you may suspect, I am a committed seeker of hygge, in fact, I hope believe that a DNA test would show I'm at least 35% Scandinavian. 

A Hygge Christmas is going to be a pastiche of Scandi cultures: a little something from Sweden, a touch of Norway, a dash of Iceland, and a sprinkle of Denmark.

Decoration

According to the Little Book of Hygge, candles are essential. 

However, do not buy up your entire local Yankee Candle. Scented candles are kind of on the tacky list. I recommend beeswax candles which have a natural, light scent of honey. Scatter these around on your mantle, your coffee table, bookshelves, dining table, and bathroom. You're not trying to light your entire home by candlelight, but just add a little warm spot here and there. After that, stand up some reindeer figurines, and devote your next couple of weekends to crafting. Make it especially hyggelig by inviting over some friends (though remember, this is not a party), make a thermos of coffee or have a pot of Swedish Glogg simmering on the stove. Some ideas I always say I'll make include:

A Swedish Christmas gnome

Stitched Christmas tree decorations

A Swedish Candle Wreath for my living room windows

The important thing to keep in mind is that, in Scandinavian design, less is more. Sure, hygge is about coziness, but that shouldn't translate to an overabundance of afghans and throw pillows.

This is not hygge. This is obnoxious

Hygge is about the experience, not necessarily the items.

Menu

Brunch really lends itself to a hyggelig Christmas. There isn't a famous luncheon or sit-down dinner culture in Scandinavia, but everyone has heard of the Smorgasboard. 

Wear your stretchy pants

This is literally a buffet of hot, cold, savory, and sweet dishes. You pick at it all day long while quaffing Akvavit, and stirring your ancient Viking blood.
Non-negotiable dishes include:
Pickled herring
Gravlax
Pickled cucumber salad
Devilled eggs
Kanellbullar

The less deadly, Swedish version of cinnamon rolls

Swedish meatballs
Lingonberry jam
Smashed potatoes.
Boiled potatoes with dill
I have big plans this weekend to try this no-knead rye bread

Kladdkakka

AKA a devastating chocolate cake

Also necessary is a big pot of coffee, the aforementioned akvavit, and Glogg

Appropriate Presents

• Candles
• Warm socks
• An electric fireplace
• A wood-burning stove paired with: 
• A snow storm
• A Rainstorm
• A howling gale
• Cozy Pajamas
• Netflix and chill where you actually chill... but cozily
• Gourmet Teas
• Gourmet Coffees

In all seriousness, Iceland has this amazing sounding tradition of gifting one another books at Christmastime, and then they spend the rest of the day reading! 

#introvertsunite!

Music

I am really loving this Hygge Holidays playlist on Spotify.

It has one of my all-time favorite renditions of White Christmas by Otis Redding sung with all the lonesomeness and wistful sincerity that only Otis can deliver.