
What is Hygge? How to Embrace the Danish Trend
(Last edited May 2018)
In 2017, we began seeing a trend towards designs that featured all things cozy and comfy and this trend was: Hygge. But what is hygge? Read on to learn more about the significance of Hygge and how to pronounce this meaningful little word.
What is Hygge?
Hygge, pronounced hoo-ga or hoo-guh, is a Danish term closely associated with coziness, gratitude, feeling safe, and a sense of togetherness. Being present and enjoying the simpler things in life. Derived from the Norwegian term, klem, which means “to hug” (insert sparkle eyes), hygge’s meaning doesn’t have a clear English translation, but it is most commonly associated with the word, “cozy.”
We’ve taken a slow stroll through Redbubble and put together a collection of some of our favorite Hygge-inspired artworks featured on home decor like pillows, wall prints, clocks, and more.
To the Danes, hygge is a way of life. While most of us spend our time rushing around, we often forget to take a break and appreciate the moment. Life shouldn’t go by in a blur, so here are our favorite ways to slow down and embrace Hygge.
- Grab your fluffiest sweater, a pair of cozy woolen socks, turn off the lights and light some candles (actually, you may want to light some candles and then turn the lights off).
- Cuddle up in your comfiest chair with cuppa tea or hot cocoa, and a yummy, homemade cooked meal. You’ll be hygge-ing before you know it.
- Ditch the screens. Be completely present for your Hygge experience by avoiding the distractions of your latest email or Facebook message.
- Practicing Hygge with others is the best way to get into the spirit of “togetherness”.
- Hygge also works best with gratitude. Appreciate the simple things in life, whether they are warm and fuzzy, or not.
How NOT to practice hygge
Learning how to hygge is important, and so is understanding hygge no-nos. In order to achieve optimal hygge, we recommend the following:
- Do not try to practice hygge at a heavy metal concert.
- Do not practice hygge in the Sahara Desert. You’re aiming for warm and cozy, not warm and heatstroke.
- Do not practice hygge at Cross Fit. Well… someone will claim they can practice hygge at Cross Fit, but you probably shouldn’t try to practice hygge at Cross Fit.
- Do not even try to practice hygge while reading the news. Hygge and politics do not coexist. Nothing about trade agreements or nuclear arms discussions screams ‘cozy by the fire’.
- Finally, do not try to practice hygge while taming a pack of aggressive mountain boars. It might be tempting to break out your warmest pair of knitted socks and enjoy a hot beverage in the midst of this task, but we recommend strongly against embracing this Danish way of life if your own is being immediately threatened.
We can understand the reason Denmark is listed as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2017. They’re definitely onto something with this Hygge business… and we’re pretty excited to get on board too.
So call your friends, blow the dust off that boardgame (ok, yes, unwrap it from the packaging too), and spend some quality time with those you cherish most, eat and drink your favorite foods and beverages, share some serious belly laughs, all while sitting around a fire or a special cozy space. Go on, you know you want to.
Ready to Hygge? Find all your favorite designs on Redbubble.
(Header Art by Julia Blattman)