What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hyoo·guh) is defined as “the feeling of togetherness, relaxation, indulgence, presence, and comfort. The true essence of hygge is the pursuit of everyday happiness. It’s basically like a hug, just without the physical touch,” as stated by Meik Wiking. Wiking is the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living and the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute. The word written account of “hygge” first appeared in the early 1800s derived from a Norwegian word for “well-being”. In its simplest form, hygge is the pursuit of well-being and comfort. This comes about most importantly during the winter season when you are spending more and more time at home, away from the cold outside. And for anyone suffering during this quarantine/lockdown season, hygge might be just what you need to create a welcoming space inside.

The concept of hygge has become a marketable commodity. But in its true essence, hygge is a feeling and cannot be bought. Anything you’re being sold with the title “hygge” like a hygge blanket or hygge candle is almost the antithesis of this way of being. Hygge is something you find within yourself brought about by key moods of peace and happiness. If you’re thinking you can buy it, you’ve missed the point entirely. So throughout this post remember, if you don’t have something on hand, just skip to a different part as you’re sure to find something you can create from what you already have at home.

The trend of hygge living was always something present in Scandinavian people’s hearts and minds but has caught on worldwide in the last few years. The Brits were the first ones to grasp onto this idea as a means of comfort amid Brexit’s stress as a way of soothing themselves. 

Start by Bathing in Light

One of the easiest things to do to practice Hygge living is bathing in natural light. During the winter months, natural light is hard to come by and often only lasts for a few hours. Taking time out of your day to enjoy those precious moments in the sun is super important. It’s been proven that sunlight is essential for happiness and increases your mood and also your productivity. Sunlight also helps our body produce vitamin D and supports our immune system. Many Scandinavian people will even go to “light cafes” during the winter months. Inside there are light lamps set up to mirror the effects of the sun. This is for people who cannot find time outside of their busy workdays to get out to soak under the real sun.

To have a bath in sunlight, find the place in your home, which gets the most light. Place a comfy chair or cushion in that area. Even if you have to work during these hours, you can hopefully bring your laptop with you. That way you can still work while sitting in the natural light. But your time is even better spent reading a book or just relaxing. 

To better enhance the natural light in your home, make sure to move large pieces of furniture away from the windows. This is to ensure they don’t block out any of that precious light. Open the blinds even if it means getting awkward glances from your noisy neighbours. You can also place mirrors opposite the windows, which helps reflect the light into the room.

Fill Your Space with Soft Textiles

There is nothing better to slip into to feel all warm and cozy than a beautiful, soft textile. Curling up in comfortable, quilted blanket is like that feeling of pure joy. Feel like you’ve entered a cocoon. Wool, fur, and cashmere are the best fabrics to feel like you’ve been wrapped up in a warm hug. But if you have a favourite sweater that gives you the same feeling, then go and jump right into that. Even a pair of woolly socks will warm you right up after coming in from the cold. Ask around, your grandparents especially might have an old quilted blanket they are dying to get rid of. And any warm memories which come with it are just a bonus!

Enjoy the Outdoors

There is a famous Norwegian phrase that says, “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær” which translates to “there is no bad weather, only bad clothes!” I am a colossal winter wimp and never thought I could truly enjoy being outside when it was cold out. But on my last trip to Sweden at Christmas, I was determined to embrace this idea of enjoying the outdoors. Wool and cashmere undergarments were vital in preparing for these long days outside in Stockholm’s cold, dark streets. And it was completely worth it. There were a few rare moments when I had to escape inside to a cafe, but for the most part, dressing appropriately meant I could enjoy every hour of the day and make the most of my time I had there. 

For our purposes, taking a long walk in nature is a great way to get out and see the sun. Being inside all day makes you in need of some serious fresh air. 2020 has been a year of being inside, which has proven to be very tough for our mental health and well-being. Many of us enjoyed greatly meeting up with friends for outdoor gatherings in the summer, but there is no reason not to continue this trend in the winter too. Just dress for the part, and you’ll be able to spend some quality time outside with those you love. It’s amazing how calming a walk in the woods can be to restore your sense of peace.

Bring the Outside In

While wandering outside on one of your walks, take some time to forage for evergreens. Bringing the outdoors inside fills the air with fresh scents and creates a welcoming environment. We crave the outdoors as humans, but in the winter not even the best winter coat will keep us warm forever. Try to find pine cones, textured wooden branches, ivy and even fir needles to bring inside. With these you can create a little swag or bouquet, making your home feel like a small indoor oasis.

Care for some House Plants

Caring for house plants has been one of the most outstanding achievements of my 2020 year. It’s amazing how you come to love them like they are an extension of your home. A famous NASA study recommended having one air-filtering plant for every 100 sq ft in the house. This was said to improve not only the air quality in the home but also your health.

Instead of just going out to buy some plants, find that one friend we all have has a green thumb. You can always ask them to make a cutting from one of their larger plants. Not only is this free, but it’s also a great way to connect with people through their love of plants. They can provide endless advice on how to care for the plant. Plus, it’s like a relative to theirs and makes you feel like you have a connection between both households. The best plants for air purifications are Devil’s Ivy, Dwarf Date Palm, Philodendron, Rubber plants, Boston Fern, Areca palms, Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Aloe Vera.

Light a Fire

Since ancient times, the hearth has been one of the most primitive of human comforts. It is where people would go to escape the cold, cook and gather when it got dark. There is something about sitting around the warm glow of the fire, listening to the crackle and pop of the wood that makes you feel comforted in some primal way. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in the home, this is the time to enjoy it.

If you don’t, even a fake fireplace will give you a much similar effect, minus the smell. I have the smallest little portable fireplace heater, and it’s incredible how when I bring it into the room, everything just immediately feels that much cozier! If you have a fake fireplace, add some real wood as decoration to bring those scents of fresh-cut wood into the home. Even a few scavenged branches from the forest stacked in a box really make the house feel homey.

Surround Your Home in Candlelight

If you don’t have a real or fake fireplace and don’t plan on buying anything new, you’d be amazed how candlelight provides such a similar experience. Danes are said to burn more candles per year than anywhere else in the world. Apparently, they are responsible for burning 3.5kg of candles a year! But there clearly is a reason as to why…

Candles are another great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. When I was in Sweden, it was amazing how walking into anyone’s home; everyone would go about lighting all their candles as soon as they got inside. Like it was just an instinct. Restaurants and hotels were covered in candles; hidden away in the darkest corner; you’d still find a candle gently burning.

The best candles to burn in the home are made of soy and beeswax instead of paraffin. Paraffin releases toxins into the air, which is pretty much the opposite of what we are trying to achieve. Soy and beeswax also burn for much longer. If you have small children and are afraid of the fire hazard, small battery-operated candles are surprisingly realistic and make a very similar impact on the room’s atmosphere.

Spread Essential Oils

Scents are tied to our emotions. Releasing some of these scents into the air can trigger your memories as well as relax you into a place of calm. To spread essential oils around your home you can always use an essential oil diffuser. But if you don’t already own an essential oil diffuser, there are so many creative DIY methods of infusing essential oils into the air.

The best oil for calmness is lavender. If you have insomnia, try chamomile and sandalwood. For anxiety, try sage. During these depressive COVID times, a little bit of peppermint or jasmine will lift your mood. To relax, try cinnamon or to boost your energy, add in some citrus and rosemary!

Soak Your Stress Away at Bathtime

Another great place to use essential oils without buying a diffuser is inside the bath. For me, bathtime is the absolute epitome of hygge living. I turn off all the lights and burn some candles. I use rose oil for a luxurious smell that fills the room. Epsom salts added to the water relaxed tense muscles, and you seem to melt into the water. Put on some soothing music to allow yourself to disconnect and be in your own body.

If you’re into face masks, this is a great time to use one as the warm steam from the water opens up your pores. This will allow the mask’s moisturizing properties to go deeper into the skin. Bring up your favourite book and use this time to get off your phone and to get back into reading. A lovely herbal tea paired alongside the bath is the icing on the cake!

Find Your Warm Textures

When it’s cold inside, we seek out beautiful, warm textures. This is a time to perhaps redecorate your home by moving around objects you might already have. Surfaces like wood, rattan, pottery, white porcelain and anything made of natural materials help strengthen that connection to the outside world.

Don’t Dress to Impress

Do you have a tattered old pair of pants which you’d never be caught dead wearing in public but are your ABSOLUTE favourite pair? Slipping into them brings about the immediate feeling of comfort. Well, these old pants are the definition of hygge. The Danes even have a word for them. They are called “Hyggebukser” aka comfortable pants. If you’ve ever needed an excuse not to throw out that time-worn favourite piece of clothing, then this is the thing for you! Snuggle up inside those comfy pants, warm socks and an oversized sweater. With you hygge look completed, curl up in front of the fire for some Netflix and chill.

Eat for Your Soul

Hygge eating is meant not just to indulge but also to enrich your soul and warm your heart. Some people take this as unhealthy eating, but in reality, hygge eating is more about hearty foods like stews, hot chocolate and porridge.

This Betty Crocker winter stew has been something I’ve been making ever since I learned how to cook. It’s simple and hearty and always warms me up in the winter. It reminds me of being a youngster and eating my mother’s food or remembering that the first time I made it myself. Food is an excellent trigger for happy memories, so if you have a favourite meal that gives you that sense of familial comfort, this is a great excuse to cook it!

I hope that you learned a little more about Hygge and why this great style of living is something you should incorporate into your life this winter. Hopefully, you’ve realized that hygge is more about a sense of well-being, a presence in yourself, rather than something you can buy. It’s more about using what you already have to create the optimal environment for coziness and contentment!

Let me know if the comments what is your favourite way to get cozy during the winter months or if you’ve used any of these pieces of advice in your own life!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post How to Create a Hygge-Inspired Home this Winter first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. Mercado De Artesanias La Ciudadela
2. Peletería Continental
3. Velas Cerería de Jesús
4. Xinú Perfumeria
5. Dulcería de Celaya
6. La Casa Del Coleccionista
7. Mexican Coffee Beans
8. Mole Paste
9. Happening Store
10. Cafebrería El Péndulo

Mercado De Artesanias La Ciudadela

The Mercado De Artesanias La Ciudadela, located near the historic city centre, was my favourite market to shop for Mexican crafts and souvenirs. I’ve never felt so overwhelmed by colourful trinkets and found it almost impossible not to buy absolutely everything I saw here. The market is pretty big, so big in fact that we had to come back twice and even then, felt like there was so much we didn’t see. Unlike other Mexican markets I’ve been to in places like Nogales and Punta Cana, I didn’t feel like there was anyone chasing me down the hall for a sale or even hassling people to come in a visit their story.

Address: Emilio Donde S/n, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Centro, CDMX, Mexico

It was oddly calm and civilized, and that’s something I didn’t expect. People were willing to haggle, but I think there is definitely a tourist markup price you’ll get here. That being said, the prices are so cheap it almost feels bad to ask them to lower it any more than it already is priced. Sometimes, we paid exactly what they asked because it seemed fair. In other cases, we would attempt to haggle for a lower price, especially if we were buying multiples. I want to post just about this market and my favourite shops. But if I had to make a shortlist and pick a few highlights, it would be the tin sacred hearts, the brightly coloured pom-poms and tassels and the richly embroidered tablecloths.

Peletería Continental

Peletería Continental is one of those places which I feel almost hesitant to talk about since I truly think it’s my the best place I found in my time in Mexico City. There is something about keeping it to myself that felt like I held a precious secret, but it’s truly too cool to keep to myself. On paper, if you look up Peletería Continental you’ll find that it’s a just leather wholesaler. So why would a tourist want to go there? Well, it’s not just leather they sell, and it’s not just wholesale. In large display cases on the outside of the store are beautiful pieces of embroidery and jeweled patched. There are dozens of other fabric embellishments like bows, rhinestones and more! These are meant to sold for wholesale, perhaps for clothing manufacturers and fashion designers but if you want to just buy one, that’s totally ok!

Experience Inside

I was lucky enough to have someone in the store who explained the process in English to me, but in case you don’t find an English speaker here is what you do. Write down the letter and number code of the item you’re interested in. There is a huge tv sized iPad near the doors where you can input the item # and it will tell you the price in pesos per item.

Then once you have the list of items you want and the number of each, just take that list to the counter and someone will go to find your pieces. They’ll give you a total for all your items (which I think if you were buying in bulk you could probably haggle down) and you can then excitedly watch as the items are sent down in an antique style elevator from the stock room above. There were people buying thousands of items all around me and it was so exciting to be a part of. This shop has been open for years and remnants of the old world trading still remain. It’s like shopping with a side of history.

Address: José María Pino Suárez 28, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06060 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Velas Cerería de Jesús

Just down the street from Peletería Continental is Velas Cerería de Jesús. This seemingly small and unassuming candle shop is amazing. As soon as you walk in the doors you’ll see tall candles hanging from the ceiling. Each one fantastically decorated with flower petals and blooms made from wax. There are some which are almost 2 feet tall and are a rainbow of colours. Some look more like flower arrangements than candles. I purchased a few of the smaller versions which ranged from $2-$5! They packaged these up in boxes for me and I didn’t have any issues travelling home with them. I also purchased some of their tall stick candles since I’ve never seen so many different colours at such a good price! 35cm candles were only 20 pesos, which is about $1 USD.

Address: Calle de Venustiano Carranza 122-C, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Xinú Perfumeria

Xinú Perfumeria is located in the high-end district of Polanco. When we first visited we thought it was closed but turns out you just need to ring the doorbell to unlock the front door. This store is mind-blowing and visiting is an experience all to itself. When we first entered the entry room, there were framed pieces of tobacco on every wall. The smell of this gently roasted tobaccos filled the room and beckoned you in further.

From there you enter another room, so dark you can barely see. Xinú means ‘nose’ in Otomi. Otomi is a beautiful tonal language still present in various regions of Mexico. In so many ways your nose is what guides you to your destination here. On one wall sits a set of beautifully designed olfactory devices. You then climb a never-ending set of stairs until you reach the top where you find the store itself. Inside the main room is a naturalist’s table. A naturalist’s table is used to observes, gather and collect elements from their natural surroundings. Here it is being used to display all the pieces of flora, natural to Mexico City, which are used in developing these unique scents.

Xinú’s Philosophy

Xinú’s philosophy is that it appeals to our individual olfactory memory. Their perfumes were all unlike anything I had smelled before and so rich, even a small whiff transcended me into another realm. Xinú is also very passionate about saving the environment from which so many of these natural elements grow, and without whom, these perfumes could not be produced. Their innovative bottle designs can be re-purposed into vases or incense holders once the perfume has run out. My favourite scent was the UMMO. It was their newest scent containing absolute tobacco, jasmine tobacco flower, liquid amber resin and cedar essence. It was incredible but unfortunately, it was the one scent they had sold out of! I was pretty heartbroken but gives me another reason to return to Mexico City as they aren’t available online just yet!

Address: Alejandro Dumas 161, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Dulcería de Celaya

Dulcería de Celaya, located in the heart of the historic district, is a tiny, old shop which has been selling traditional Mexican candies and sweets since 1874. Walking into the shop it feels like nothing has changed in over 100 years. When the family-run shop first started selling candy it was all made in a small, improvised factory using wooden shovels, copper saucepans and a minature oven. They could only produce so much per day, often only one tray of candy. But the candy was so popular that they would sell out day after day and as the demand rose, they managed to expand their production.

Even today they produce candy in much the same way as it was made in that tiny kitchen. You walk in the door and the smell of fresh pineapples, strawberries, guavas and coconut fill the air. The candy is very well priced so even if you don’t’ recognize anything just let the smells guide you can just try whatever your eye is drawn to.

Address: Av. 5 de Mayo 39, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

La Casa Del Coleccionista

La Casa Del Coleccionista in Coyoacan is a tiny antique store located right near Centenario Garden. This store houses precious treasures from years past and if you’re looking for something for your home to bring back with you this is the place to go. There were so many old paintings, candlesticks and wall hangings which were incredibly charming and held within the memories of the past. While it’s nice to buy something new, an antique is a wonderful way of experiencing the Mexico City of year’s past and something you can’t just buy in any store. Each antique collection is unique to that one location and pilfering through their collections offers up singular treasures.

Address: Av Francisco Sosa 1, Santa Catarina, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Mexican Coffee Beans

Mexico is one of the world’s best producers of coffee beans and while the coffee beans might not be grown in Mexico City, Mexico City is one of their best roasters. Coffee culture is a huge part of this city! In areas like La Condesa and Roma there are chic coffee shops on every corner. Coffee is a very personal choice to many people, some like a darker roast, other like ones with more subtle flavours.

Instead of just going to the grocery store to buy some beans, I would explore the local cafes, almost every coffee shop offers bulk purchases of their own unique roast of beans. I would recommend exploring all the coffee shops in your area and when you find your favourite, ask to purchase a few pounds to return home with you. When you get home you’ll be able to brew a little bit of Mexico City in your home. We loved ‘Cardinal’ in La Condesa who serves up Cosautlan de Carvajal from Veracruz, which has notes of orange and chocolate. Absolutely delicious!

Address: Córdoba 132, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Mole Paste

Mole is a traditional sauce used in Mexican cuisine made from fruit, chili pepper, nut, and such spices as black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and chocolate. It’s a very unique flavour and although it might not be for everyone, if you love it, you LOVE it! You’ll see (and hopefully you’ll also taste) this sauce on street corners and fancy restaurants all over the city! While the mixture might seem like an overwhelming recipe you can actually buy the dried paste in various markets across the city. The best stuff is made from scratch but if you’re not an aficionado or have access to all those local ingredients at home, this will do just fine. The Coyoacan Market has an incredible section of different mole flavours and was my favourite place to shop for these rich flavours of Mexico City.

Address: Ignacio Allende s/n, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Happening Store

Happening Store has two locations in Mexico City. They sell a variety of different goods made by local Mexican designers. They have everything from footwear, to jewellery to houseware and soaps. There is definitely a hipster quality to the products sold here but if you’re a fan of that kind of stuff then you’ll be in heaven! It’s always nice when visiting a city to try and support local, small business and shopping here you’ll find you’re able to explore a variety of designers right in one place!

Address: Tabasco 210, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Happening Store (@happeningstore)

Cafebrería El Péndulo

Cafebrería El Péndulo is a magical little place where you can explore all different literary fantasies. The bookshop was established in 1993, and as the name states, it is a combination of Cafeteria and Bookshop. On the first level is where you’ll find hundreds of shelves of books and on the second floor you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a lazy, mid-morning brunch. There are six different locations across Mexico City, each with the same open and luminous architecture and eclectic decoration. If you can’t read Spanish it’s still worth browsing the store and seeing all the different amazing books, music and art on sale. I loved the selection of notebooks and journals from local artists with that same stunning Mexican colours and design which make this city so enchanting.

Address: Mario Pani 200, Lomas de Santa Fe, Contadero, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, 01219 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

There is truly something for everyone in this magical city! Let me know what your favourite places are to shop in Mexico City and hopefully I can add them to my list the next time I’m visiting this amazing place.

The post The Ultimate Souvenir Shopping Guide in Mexico City first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.