Author: Line West

International Hygge Day February 28

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The British hygge blog Howtohyggethebritishway.com has nominated this upcoming Tuesday February 28 2017 to become the first International Hygge Day! People are encouraged to have some hygge on that day and maybe share hygge photos on their social media followed by #internationalhyggeday You can read about the new hygge day on this blog post from howtohyggethebritishway.com International Hygge Day I am pretty sure International Hygge Day here at our house is going to involve lots of pastries (preferably homemade), hot chocolate, coffee, candles, flowers, nature, books and just hanging out together. So get your hygge on and do something nice and hyggeligt on Tuesday!

Review: The Danish Way of Parenting

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When American mom and columnist, Jessica Alexander, visited Denmark she noticed how Danish children were much more calm and hardly ever threw tantrums. Their parents talked to them in a calm way without yelling. There seemed to be an unspoken Danish way of parenting and together with psychotherapist and family counselor, Iben Sandahl, she set out to investigate how the Danes raised happy and balanced kids. Based on more than thirteen years of experience, research, supporting studies and facts this resulted in a book about how the happiest people in the world raise their children. The Danish Way of Parenting is my new parenting bible. As a Dane raising my children abroad I am eager to bring this parenting style with me and raise happy little Danes. To me the book is very useful and keeps me straight when I doubt my instincts surrounded by different cultural practices. But the book might be even more useful to non-Danes who wishes more calm, independent, creative children who do not constantly need entertainment and praise. In short, …

A Hygge Night in Nyhavn

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A great way to experience “hygge” and to be happy as a Dane is to spend time in Copenhagen’s lively old harbor, Nyhavn (New Harbor). Nyhavn is a “must go to” for both Danes and tourists. Whether its a sunny summer day or a cold winter evening, Nyhavn is a happy place to relax in one of the many cafes or just take a stroll along the water. This used to be the place where sailors took a break from the sea in one of the many bars. Even Hans Christian Andersen lived here for a long period of his life and wrote many of his famous fairytales like The Princess and the Pea. Since then it has been thoroughly renovated but the happy atmosphere lingers on – so much so that CNN has named it one of the 15 happiest places in the world. This Christmas my husband and I were so lucky to spend one night of happiness in the most “hyggelige” hotel I have ever been in, right on the outer corner of …

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I am a Danish anthropologist and writer and I live in USA with my Danish-American husband and our two small children. With this blog I wish to bring Denmark to anyone who wants to “go there” – it will be a virtual Denmark as I love it. I want to help you, as well as me, find Danish inspiration even when not in Denmark and to become happy as a Dane. If Danes are among the happiest people in the world why not export the best of their culture to the world? First, there is that unique Danish term “hygge” – roughly translated as “coziness”. So lets “hygge” and have a cup of coffee together while we learn about Danish happiness…  

Hygge – by a Dane in America

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As a Dane living in America I could not be any happier about the recent invasion of hygge to the United States and a lot of other countries! I love American culture and Americans. Especially their openness to new cultures and immigrants and their willingness to embrace what is new and different. But there is one thing I have been missing during the seven years of living here and that is a slower pace, more family time and the ability to just enjoy the moment – in other words: hygge! Many Americans are very busy, their kids are very busy/active and I believe a little more down time would do us all well. This has become of extra interest to me as I am raising my children in America and I want them to be as happy as the Danes. My favorite example of the difference between Americans and Danes is how coffee is mostly “on the go” over here while in Denmark it is typically something you enjoy sitting down, preferably while talking with a friend. I had …

Hygge on On Point Today!

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Today’s topic on WBUR’s On Point is Hygge! I cannot WAIT to hear what my favorite radio host Tom Ashbrook (except for maybe Frasier) has to say about Danish happiness and hygge:-)) Here is the link: “Forget Your Troubles, Come On, Get Hygge” On Point So go grab your favorite cup of coffee and enjoy when you get a chance!

Weekend Hygge and Aebleskiver

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This weekend was a true “hygge” weekend. After returning from Denmark last weekend – and a veeeery long airplane trip with two young children – all you need is “hygge” and relaxation. We even got a little snow and extremely cold weather which made the need for “hygge” even bigger. And I learned that the thought of “aebleskiver” and hot chocolate awaiting inside actually made me enjoy being outside with the kids in spite of what felt like minus 17 degrees celsius. Danish “aebleskiver” is the ultimate Christmas/winter comfort food. They are little dough balls made out of a pancake-like batter, baked on a special “aebleskive pan” sprinkled with powdered sugar and dipped in strawberry jam.     When we didn’t eat comfort food and sip hot chocolate we cleaned up all (almost) our clutter, making room for more “hygge-space”. I have finally realized that clutter/mess interferes with the “hygge” feel and it is more pleasing to only have a small amount of decorative items on display. This way you can fully enjoy looking at your …

Bringing Hygge into January

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Leaving the festive and “hyggelige” (cozy) month of December behind and entering January is for me always followed by a certain sadness. Gone are all the Christmas decorations, parties, comfort foods and “hygge” (coziness/togetherness). Instead we get New Year’s resolutions of eating healthy, working harder and all the demands of starting a new year in the cold Winter months. This year I am determined to keep the “hygge” from December going. Maybe not with Christmas gnomes and ornaments but the comforting “hygge” part. The photo above from “Bakery by Hermann” in Lyngby, Denmark, captures what my January “hygge” will be like – soft and cozy lambs wool throws and hearty baking the Danish way. I love how this bakery brought the lamb skins outside on a bench. That is exactly how I envision myself in these cold winter months ahead of us: sitting on my porch on a warm lamb skin with a steamy hot drink – be it hot spiced wine, coffee or hot chocolate. This way January can be the month of relaxation …

A Magical Christmas Night in Tivoli

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The old charming amusement park, Tivoli, in the heart of Copenhagen is beautifully decorated for Christmas. We had a magical night there surrounded by “snow”, pretty lanterns, lights, Christmas trees and ornaments everywhere. We bought Danish “aebleskiver” and “glögg” (hot spiced wine) from one of the many snow covered wooden pavilions and enjoyed it outside on cafe chairs with blankets wrapped around us. Does it get any more “hyggeligt”/cozy than this?

A Danish Christmas

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Here is a little sample of my Danish Christmas. The old streets of Copenhagen decorated with garlands, lights, hearts and stars. White hyacints and pine cones are important too. But lets not forget the mouth watering marzipan (almond paste) and nougat on coffee tables all around the country… I know bicycles aren’t exactly a Christmas thing but only in Denmark will you see a baby chair that matches the color of the mother’s bicycle! Says so much about the importance of bicycles and design to the Danes.