Hygge Holidays – 5 easy steps, many ideas!

Hygge alabaster table lamp

Hygge Holidays – winter happiness in just 5 easy steps!     Everyone is talking about it!!  The Danes are one of the happiest peoples on the planet – despite the chilly, dark, winter days!  In Denmark Hygge (”Hue-gah”) is the well-kept secret to surviving – or thriving – through the winter months.   You’ve probably got the bit about candles, blankets and friendly chats – here’s our guide to getting under that Hygge feeling under your skin, and staying cheery and bright through December and beyond.  (After you’ve checked out our 5 easy ideas you may want to browse our Fossil and Crystal Shop, with lots of unusual gifts.)

1. Hygge – Look after No. 1!

Do be kind to yourself!  A little of what you fancy does you good is what my Great Great Aunt used to say – and she should know, living well into her nineties to be the much -loved provider of Hygge (did she but know it then) to her whole extended family.

2.  Hygge – Delicious AND healthy!!

Being kind to yourself could mean choosing delicious drinks and snacks which feel indulgent whilst keeping us healthy when it’s cold!  Brazil nuts – coated in dark chocolate yum!  Warm spiced apple juice – gert lush as they say here in Somerset – where they know a thing or two about apples!  One delicious square of dark chocolate slowly melting in your mouth;  a cup of hot water with a couple of slices of fresh ginger – strangely addicitive!  Or with some warm blackcurrant juice!  Homemade veg soup – couldn’t be easier, cheaper or healthier:  Gather what veg you have to use up – boil up in a moderate amount of water with a vegetable or chicken stock cube – whizz in the blender (optional)  eat it all day and stay svelte – but go easy on those potatoes Tiger!   Cut up a small plate of fruit, arrange beautifully, light a candle and savour the moment with the kids!   Perfect with a hot chocolate after school – choose a dark chocolate, make with milk and use honey or Agave Syrup for those with a sweet tooth!   I could go on…

3. Hygge – Light up your life

Don’t believe it makes a difference?  Turn the lights down low, get out some little glasses and a jug.  Seat your toddlers around a low table. Keep voices low, maybe choose some mood music.   Slowly pour a glass of juice each.   Slowly – like a tea ceremony.  They will wait, quietly with wide eyes.  ‘Ssh, look what we’ve got’  – where you lead, they’ll follow.  I promise.  Believe and you will be rewarded as they sip their juice like its the most delicious and precious drink ever.  You’ll never forget this moment.  Take care with candles – or treat them to a seasonal cosy lamp like our Onyx beauty featured above, which adds a soft glowing light to any setting.  Click on the link to view:

https://www.fossilandcrystalshop.com/product/lamp-onyx-alabaster/

You can always make this time extra special by combining with daily opening of one of our special gemstone and fossil advent calendars for older children. They are our most popular product!

Gemstone Advent Calendar, Santa Truck, close up

just one of our extensive and popular advent calendar range click on this link to view

4. Hygge – Be a Skandi- Style Eco Warrior

Draw those curtains just before it gets dark to keep the heat in!    Get crafty and make some draft excluders?  Not very handy?   Just chop the leg off some old thick tights – choose a rich colour, stuff with old tights or sock (clean!!) or some soft toy stuffing.  Use PVA craft glue and add sequins, buttons, eyes, flowers, glitter – let your inner Artsy self go!   Remember we’re keeping the lighting low so the mistakes won’t show!   You can always share ideas on our Facebook page ‘Family Fossil Fun’ – we’d love to see them!   Once you get in, close the curtains and get cosy you will be conserving heat, enjoying warming soup and maybe even finding time for a family board game?  Who says we can’t find time anymore?
Psst put a cheap battery operated tea light on the outside of your curtains – now you will cheer the tired commuters on their way home – and let your friends know you’re home to visitors!   Or decorate that bush in your front garden with a cheap string of battery operated lights?  Ok we’ve noticed this isn’t entirely green but hey, on the grand scale of things you are adding warmth to people’s lives and hearts – without massive displays of bright lights, which will cost the planet more.  Besides a couple of AA batteries will probably last the whole festive season!
5.  Hygge – Wellness for the one who looks after everyone else…
Get a clean dishcloth, lay it on the kitchen table then raid the kitchen cupboard.  Add a handful of oats into the centre of the cloth.  A cinnamon stick?  Orange Peel.  A spoonful of honey.  A teaspoon of salt.  A few peppercorns.  Cardamom seeds?  Some late rose petals from the garden or a spring of rosemary?  Tie up your budle with string – or an elastic band.  Drop into the running water of a hot both.  Relax and enjoy.   Use the bag to gently scrub your skin for a fragrant exfoliator – and unwind! Add a small glug of Olive Oil to soothe winter skin!
Can’t get out now the babes are asleep? Want to meet up with your mates?  Try a video call – put the kettle on and meet up in the comfort of your living room.  Its easier than you think.
Hygge PS Take it slowly

Tonight I’m gonna get all cosy in my PJs and wrap my presents way ahead of time for once.  And because I’ve got a tickly throat I’m going to share my top cold rememdy with you – a delicious warm drink from Hoi Ann in Vietnam – where everyone coughs all winter long because of the damp river air.  Here goes:  Roughly chop an unpeeled tangerine or similar citrus fruit.  Put in a small saucepan with a pinch of sea salt,  3 peppercorns, a good spoonful of honey, finely grated lemon or lime peel – then add the juice and some finely grated ginger.  Boil it up a bit and you should have a really linctus- like warm drink with a really strong and delicious flavour – drink it so hot that you can only sip.  Oh my goodness, its the best!!  And tomorrow my tickly throat will be all gone!

So, an early night and I can get up bright -eyed and bushy tailed to wish you the compliments of the season.   For tomorrow is Friday – and we shall dance late into the night to usher in a Hygge weekend – Enjoy!!

PPS If you like our style – you might like our 15 free ideas for a traditional christmas – or you might like to browse our shop – also for free!