Are you familiar with Hygge? If you are a regular internet-dweller then it is likely, especially during the colder months, that you will have come across this unusual word and have wondered many things. Not least of all, exactly how it is pronounced. The best way we can describe how you say it is "Hou" (as in 'you') followed by "Gir" (as in 'girl').

The word originates from Old Norse, the word Hyggja which means thinking a feeling satisfied and is related to finding shelter, rest and safety and regaining energy and courage. The closest word we have in English is 'cosy', but that falls awfully short of encompassing its true meaning. The shortest way to describe hygge is 'contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life', so even if you've never heard of hygge before, we certain you're already doing things that embrace it, without even realising.

For Deborah (@nannasparks) and Verity (@mummasparks) it's been on their radar for a couple of years now. Although a fairly new trend in the UK, this Danish concept of simple living has been a part of Danes' culture and a way of life for so long and is so beloved that it could almost be said that 'hygge' is in the DNA of everyone.

In this week's blog, both Deborah and Verity share their favourite ways to enjoy hygge moments at home.

Verity

My Hygge Is

Beautifying my home

Preserving happy memories

Documenting our experiences, big and small

In 2018 we moved into our 'forever home' and month by month, we've been working on decorating various rooms throughout the house. It's been wonderful to see ideas that started in my head, have through many evenings scouring Pinterest, become reality. We're about halfway through the entire project now and it's hard to say which room I love the most. Each time I complete one it instantly becomes my favourite, until the next one is finished. But if I had to choose, I'd probably say it's our bedroom and en suite, as much for the way we can use that space now as the way that it looks. In our previous home, our shower was next door to Tilly and as she is a light sleeper, taking a shower in the evening was out of the question (she'd wake up immediately!). Now, our bedroom is on the other side of the house and I can take a shower in the evening without disturbing her. Feeling relaxed and refreshed, I can change into my pyjamas and enjoy a cosy and comfortable night.

It's always been important to me to find ways to remember the little things that mean an awful lot. For months I was looking for a way to document Tilly's first words, or at least the way that she said them when she began talking. Her vocabulary was large for her age and with so many words to recall, I didn't want to forget any of them. A vintage typewriter gave me a beautiful way to present them on paper and they are now stored inside a scrapbook I am creating for her, to give to her when she grows up.

My husband Lex gave me the most thoughtful gift for Christmas last year. The Sparks-Giradin Bucket List is a book for documenting all the things we do together in the coming year and Lex had taken the time to prepare some entries with ideas and prompts for things to do when we don't have plans. For instance, there is a page dedicated to all of the movies we will watch and he even included a star stamp so I could give each one a rating. There is an entry for 'See a Show' (which is handy because Lex also gave me tickets to see Matilda in the Spring!), there's space to add a photo of us and write about what we thought about it. There are entries for family days out at the beach or in the park and 'mini-bucket-lists-within-the-bucket-list' of little things to do while we're there. When the book is completed we will be able to look back and enjoy remembering all the little things that made this year fun and special.

Deborah

My Hygge Is

Baking my own bread

Learning to crochet

Creating a restful and calming atmosphere

Breadmaking is the perfect antidote to a busy mind. The entire process, from weighing out the ingredients to kneading and shaping the dough is relaxing. The recipe is so simple and memorable, I barely have to even think about the task at hand because I have done it so many times. Creating something to eat from scratch, without preservatives and providing food for friends and family brings a unique sense of satisfaction, especially as I love to look after my loved ones. It brings me joy to see them happy and content. I have made various different kinds of bread over the years, but Sourdough is my favourite. I think it has a better texture and flavour and it goes great with homemade soups or simply toasted with real butter, especially in the wintertime.

At work in the studio, our Christmas season in 2017 was busier than ever, filled with extra-long days away from home that left me tired and with very little time for myself. In the New Year, I decided to join a local group and learn something new. By enrolling in a local crochet class it set aside time each week where I could learn a skill I had always wanted to master and I was committed to seeing it through. I grew to love crocheting and quickly found myself doing it at home in the evenings in front of the fire or even while watching television. Crochet is easy to just pick up and put down and is no trouble to carry around. You can take it anywhere, on the bus or train, even on holiday (I may have done this once or twice...). At the end, you have something beautiful to show for your work and its soft and snuggly textures have created cosy additions to my home.

I've always had a routine to relax at the end of a busy day, arrive home, get the fire going, make a cup of tea or coffee. Each step is like a little switch in my head and once all the switches have been set, I can relax and unwind. Last year, Jon bought me something that added just one more switch to the list and it may have become the most important step of all. For Christmas in 2017, Jon gave me a diffuser and some essential oils. I had never seen or heard of one before so naturally, I was excited to use it. The diffuser mixes the oils with water, releasing them as a vapour into the room. My favourite oils are Pine Needles (because it smells like the forest), Bergamot and Geranium and I use them alone or even mix them to create new smells. The combination of wonderful scents and how it works as a humidifier create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. With that and a special coffee, that I like to make with oat milk, I can enjoy time for myself and regain energy.

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We hope you’re feeling inspired by this Hygge blog. If you are, we’d love you to consider sharing it or saving it to Pinterest using the image below. Thank you!

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