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anyone else into hygge?

(80 Posts)
Milton1951 Thu 13-Oct-16 13:58:09

I keep reading about the Scandinavian concept of hygge, it seems to be all the rage.

Looking closely at it, it is really nothing more than what I do anyway but have never given it a name. It's about creating a cosy atmosphere, in my case at home but it can apply to many places. I've always enjoyed being cosy, reading a book, snuggled under a blanket, reading, watching my favourite programmes, drinking hot chocolate and eating cake. Or, sharing some of the above with a good friend/friends, casual meals by candlelight, good conversation, mellow mood music, etc. etc. In fact, I've being doing this since the 1970s but never called it anything in particular but, hey, now I'm trendy, lol.

BBbevan Sun 16-Oct-16 12:15:07

Every one grin

Jalima Sun 16-Oct-16 12:05:38

We do have a Billy bookcase but it is in DD's bedroom

Jalima Sun 16-Oct-16 12:03:49

BBevan - I am impressed!

Thingmajig it is no good me knitting them for the Danes I know as they live in a hot part of the world grin
Air-con rather than hygge

Purpledaffodil Sun 16-Oct-16 11:58:23

BBbevan top marks to you for identifying IKEA bookcases AND hand knitting throws. Very impressive! flowers

Thingmajig Sun 16-Oct-16 11:54:56

Gorgeous patterns Jalima ... I might have to have them!
I'm married to a great Dane and we have Hygge all the time. smile

BBbevan Sun 16-Oct-16 07:12:02

Jamila II knit them myself. Everyone in the family has one or two.Even sold a surplus one on eBay

NotTooOld Sat 15-Oct-16 21:40:59

I bought a cotton throw from TKM but white bits come off it and anyone warming themselves under it comes up looking like they've been in a snow storm.

Mamie - I've just downloaded a sample of that book you suggested. Thank you!

Jalima Sat 15-Oct-16 20:50:52

Ah yes, we do have a B&M - near to TKMaxx.

TKM is very hit and miss, I have two nice throws from there but they don't match!

Ana Sat 15-Oct-16 20:27:37

grin I've got a lovely one from B&M, Jalima (throw, not cwtch, unfortunately!)

Jalima Sat 15-Oct-16 20:24:18

Having a cwtch under a handknitted throw - blush BBevan

Handknitted - or handknitted courtesy of TXMaxx?

BBbevan Sat 15-Oct-16 20:15:44

Are those Billy bookcases purpledaff Very Scandinavian grin

I love making things cosy. Or having a ' cwtch' My chairs and sofas have handknitted throws in the winter, and there might be a tasty casserole in the oven. Warm fire , of course, and gentle ambient lighting Lovely

Purpledaffodil Fri 14-Oct-16 21:00:00

Now know what this is called. Thanks Milton.

Jalima Fri 14-Oct-16 18:20:24

I could go in the sauna then go and jump in the fish pond.

Our Finnish friends had a sauna in their flat (but it was a bit of a step to the icy lake across the road!)

merlotgran Fri 14-Oct-16 18:15:52

Jalima, You can't just go outside....I think you're supposed to hike through a forest. grin

Jalima Fri 14-Oct-16 18:08:07

I have a 'mother and child' lamp - not very hygge, but at least I can see to knit!

Milton1951 Fri 14-Oct-16 17:57:18

Wow, thanks for so many replies to my first post! I have really enjoyed reading through them.

I don't knit much (although I can) but taught myself to crochet a couple of years ago with the help of YouTube and some books and I enjoy making little ornaments for Christmas etc. Trouble is, once it gets dark, I can't see well enough so it's very much a daytime activity.

I expect there is some sort of marketing ploy going on but only if you let it. If you're already doing a lot of it, just carry on in your own way - it costs nothing and it is so rewarding.

I had a brilliant evening with my oldest friend who was visiting from Scotland yesterday. We go back almost 50 years and always enjoy a good meal (home cooked), a bottle of wine, nice coffee, chocolates etc. We also exchange presents (for no reason other than we know each other so well that we enjoy buying whenever we see something the other would love). The fire was lit, the candles were on, the evening was very cosy indeed. This time I bought her a little book about Hygge and a lovely cup filled with hot chocolate sachets and chocolate sticks. When she returns to Scotland, I'm sure it will bring back pleasant memories of the evening whenever she reads the book or uses the cup.

Jalima Fri 14-Oct-16 17:43:54

So: a woodburning stove, triple glazing, a throw over my knees, knitting hygge style jumpers with a bit of cabling and bobbling grin, candles, Danish pastries and cinnamon cookies and - is mulled wine allowed?

I am boiling hot now, need to go outside

Neversaydie Fri 14-Oct-16 17:07:09

Did actually experience 'fike'at a wedding recently (Swedish groom)It was basically coffee and cinamon cookies 45mins before the ceremony. Rather nice if you had driven a long way and 'broke the ice'a bit

Mamie Fri 14-Oct-16 16:58:12

It is an enjoyable read about a couple who leave London for a year in Jutland (I think) when he gets a job at Lego headquarters. £1.99 on Kindle at the moment!

Ana Fri 14-Oct-16 16:45:41

Love that book title Mamie! grin

M0nica Fri 14-Oct-16 16:39:02

'hygge' is just another word for cosy and in this country we have been superb at being cosy for generations. The Danes are just worried that if we leave the EU we will take cosiness with us, so have felt a need to come up with an alternative with scratchy sweaters and government assurances that it is good for them.

Mamie Fri 14-Oct-16 15:39:05

I certainly associate it with light - I am sitting in front of the leaping flames of the woodburning stove at the moment. My DD always has lots of candles and twinkly lights in her house.
Has anyone read "A Year of Living Danishly" by Helen Russell? Lots about it in there.

Diddy1 Fri 14-Oct-16 15:18:54

In Sweden we say "Mysigt" ie.cosy

grandMattie Fri 14-Oct-16 14:54:43

Baffies? I'd prefer to cable and bobble while hygging... grin

Jalima Fri 14-Oct-16 14:50:54

oh no, not the dreaded 'trending' grin

I am going to hygge in the conservatory with my baffies and the floor heating on and carry on with my cabling.
(knitting for those who are not knitters)