All posts filed under: hygge

The Beauty of Imperfection

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On a Winter walk through a Danish forest, the beautiful sight on the photo above suddenly materialized in front of me. A moss overgrown broken tree limp in a little pond. It was stunning in all its imperfection, a composition no human had planned or constructed, with so many details open for imagination and awe. Nature’s originality left me surprised and breathless in a way that a perfectly manicured yard could not do. This made me think about the beauty of imperfection, the realness of it – because nothing is ever perfect. Like humans. I don’t think anyone would describe themselves as perfect. Most of us would probably feel misunderstood, not fully seen, if anyone called us perfect. If someone called us perfect we would feel that they didn’t see our flaws, downs and failures? Would they really know us, or just see what they wanted to see? Does anyone even want to be called perfect? I doubt it because if people see you as perfect they don’t see the real you. They only choose …

“Meet the Danes” at the National Museum of Denmark

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Here is a great recommendation for everyone traveling to Denmark hoping to experience some of that world famous hygge: The National Museum of Denmark has started a free guided tour series called “Meet the Danes” where you can meet a Dane who will give an insider’s view of the Danes, Danish culture and society. You will get an answer to puzzling questions such as why Danes leave their sleeping babies in prams outside cafes, why Danes bicycle so much, what hygge is all about and whether the Danes really are the happiest people on Earth! On Tuesdays in July you will also be able to enjoy a classic Danish lunch with a Dane in the museum’s historical courtyard. You can read more about these tours via this link: Meet and Eat with the Danes. I am so excited about this initiative at the National Museum of Denmark as the Danes and their culture are not always easily accessible to non-Danes. Many who travel there, or even live there, find the Danes a bit cold and reserved …

Happy “National Hygge Day” Today!

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I just want to send some Danish hygge atmosphere out there on this National Day of Hygge with these photos from Denmark! Walking with a looming storm behind you and arriving at a summerhouse just in time for the storm to break out and some Danish pastry awaiting you… That would be a great hygge experience to think of on this National Day of Hygge. Have some great hygge today – and don’t forget it is all about relaxing and enjoying!

Getting in the Mood for the Holidays

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  What do you do if Christmas is just around the corner and you are too tired to even think of baking cookies, wrapping, shopping and decorating? You take a break. Christmas is about hygge, love and having a good time so why don’t you start with giving yourself a hygge break before you spread the hygge to those you love? Just like the oxygen mask on the airplane: put it on yourself before you help others. Love and hygge is very hard to spread if you cannot feel it. So give yourself a little love with a hygge break in the middle of all the to-do-lists. Like me right now. Nothing has been baked, lots of presents to wrap, there are two big baskets of laundry to fold right in front of me and the Christmas tree hasn’t even been decorated. Guests are coming Thursday. Yet, here I am. Enjoying a hot cup of chocolate out of my favorite hygge cup… After a little hygge break I will be ready to enjoy preparing for …

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 …

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.