Hygge is Easy in the Winter

Lara DeHavenHomeowner Tips

Hygge in Winter

The wet, cold winter beckons people to pull a chair up to the fire, pull out a game, and enjoy a warm beverage. People want to be warm and cozy, which are just two elements of Hygge (HOO-gah). We have talked just a little about Hygge, but it is a lifestyle that come from Denmark. You can check out Embracing the Concept of Hygge in Texas to find out more. Today I wanted to post this video by Tory Stender. She has embraced the concept of Hygee, and shows how to easily incorporate many of the elements into one’s life.

After seeing Tory explain Hygge, are you intrigued? Hygge is easy in the winter because we want to feel warm and cozy. Therefore, I recommend a few products to implement Hygge in your home.

Candles:

Even though Tory wants to begin using unscented, beeswax candles in the future, she is currently using battery-operated candles. Since not everyone can have lit candles, there are very realistic looking, flameless candles. My favorites are the Luminara Real Flame Candles. Check out their website to see all the different types of flameless candles. These candles impart a warm glow and the wicks move mimicking actual burning candles. Therefore, Luminara candles give the Hygge feeling without smoke or a fire danger.

Slippers:

During the winter months, it is great to cozy up to the fire with warm house shoes. My absolute favorites are soft, cozy year-round shoes. Therefore, they are great little investments. Minnetonka shoes are perfect for the Hygge life. They are lined in sheepskin, which is soft and warm. My preference are the Sheepskin Ankle Boots. I wear them at home all year round. These shoes are offered in both men and women sizes. Each person in my family owns a pair of these great shoes.

Irish Breakfast Tea:

I love to drink hot teas and coffees as do my children. They like a good hot chocolate, too. Recently a good friend of mine whose grandparents live in Ireland, told me how to make Irish Breakfast Tea. I read up a little on the tea in the Farmer’s Almanac and learned something. According to them, tradition always had people pour milk or cream first into the individual teacups in order to prevent the boiling hot water to crack the porcelain cups. Over the years, people continued the tradition; it was how their grandparents and parents did it. Then someone did an experiment. Pouring milk or cream into the tea actually alters the flavor of the tea! Therefore, the only way to make true Irish Breakfast Tea is to fill your cup with milk or cream first.

Recipe for Irish Breakfast Tea

Heat water in a teapot on the stove. Of course you can use an electric teapot. When the water is ready to make tea, fill your teacup 1/3 of the way with milk or cream. I recommend using cream. It is filling, rich, and has no carbs. Use one tea bag of Irish Breakfast Tea or 1 tsp of loose tea per person. Fill the cup with the hot water and allow the tea to steep for about 4 minutes. You can sweeten to your own taste, but I prefer mine unsweetened.

The Irish do not drink this tea for breakfast only as the name would make you think. Many Irish consume up to 6 cups a day. It does have caffeine so keep that in mind as you try it.

So as you enjoy the cold, winter weather even if you never want to incorporate Hygge design, you will love the warm glow of the candles, the soft shoes, and hopefully the tea recipe. Hygge is about warmth, cozy, and intentional living, which all sound wonderful to me right now. So go light a candle, sip a hot beverage, and get cozy. If it makes the Danish happy, why not you?