Now I love the idea of hygge. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, which is the place to go to define Danish words, hygge is a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. Love it. I have bought all of the books, read all of the articles and wished myself Scandinavian a thousand times over but let’s be honest, I am northern. Northerners know all about cosiness. My Mum made my home cosy as generations of northern Pixie women have done before her. Cosiness is what we do.
We draw the curtains to “keep the night out”, we “turn the big light off” so as to have the softer light of the lamps. There’s always a brew on the go. In winter we come home get our comfies on and spend our evenings wearing something fleece lined. As for food? Have you ever eaten scouse?
I think there’s a message here that I need to learn about appreciating what you have and enjoying that rather than trying to be something else. I need to ponder.
If you are cosying up your home for winter then it’s blankets, brews and candles all the way. My favourites are below.
Next tea lighter holders like these or these. Scented candles are gorgeous but sometimes it can be a bit cloying after a while. Tea lights fix this.
I love a blanket. I am saving for a Lauren Ashton chunky knit in bright pink but for retro warmth get a cellular blanket for £35.
Proper luxury and I’ve said it before but The White Company cashmere bed socks. Swoony.
For a good brew, you need a quality mug. I favour something with a slight curve for cradling. It needs to be a decent size and be careful of a lip on the cup as it just leads to spillage. These either meet my exacting standards or are so cute I don’t care. This cactus mug ticks the boxes but this Moomin one doesn’t but it’s the Moomins! I have the Moz mug from John Lewis which is a good drinking mug. My inner magpie loves these gold Next efforts but the handle doesn’t look comfy – see, Scousers take cosy seriously. And look at this beauty!
There you go. Go home tonight. Get your comfies on, make a brew and some cheese on toast, draw the curtains and turn the big light off, get the candles going and make yourself cosy under a blanket on the sofa.