It’s Absolutely Delicious
“We need to learn to enjoy the moment and cherish the little things. It is all about you being happy, content and at peace with oneself.” ~ Sofie Pedersen
This year I’m trying again to create a Hygge Christmas season. I keep returning to the idea because slowing down and savoring the small, quiet moments seems more important than ever. Too many people rush past Thanksgiving and dive straight into a rush of parties, shopping, and tasks. My own instinct is to do more whenever something needs to change, but learning to do less and be patient is the real practice.
For the umpteenth year, I’m choosing hygge over hassle—and I invite you to join me. Hygge is a way of living that emphasizes presence, comfort, and simple pleasures. It’s not always easy for me: my mind races and I have a hard time letting go. Still, the effort to slow and savor pays off.
I’ll share thoughts from time to time as I learn. My family comes from Scandinavia—Denmark and Iceland specifically—and as a first-generation American in Act 3 of life, those roots shape how I view the season. I prefer the word “season” to the tired phrase “the holidays.” A holiday, strictly defined, is a day of festivity or rest, but we’ve turned the season into weeks of busyness. Often it becomes a month of overeating, overdrinking, and overspending, leaving us exhausted and regretful. That’s not what I want.
What The Heck Is Hygge
“Hygge is about giving your responsible, stressed-out achiever adult a break. Relax.” ~ Meik Wiking
Pronounced hoo’-ga, hygge has crept into our language because it offers an antidote to the frantic pace many of us keep. It’s a Danish concept that favors coziness, warmth, and simple companionship—think candles, a warm drink, cake, board games, soft blankets, and quiet conversation. But hygge is less about a checklist and more about a feeling: a softening of attention so the small comforts become meaningful.
Denmark often ranks among the world’s happiest countries, and hygge is part of that cultural recipe. Ask a Dane and you’ll likely get a shrug and a list of cozy images, but the essence is mental: a deliberate downshift to a state of calm where external pressures fade. That quality of being present—of creating a welcoming atmosphere and noticing small delights—is what makes hygge so attractive.
Hopping Off The Not So Merry Go Round
Hygge balances the consumerism and material pressure we feel at this time of year. The season brings lists of obligations and expectations—what we should buy, who we must visit, what must be done. Hygge gives us tools to resist the “gotta, oughta, and should” mentality by refocusing on presence and simple pleasures.
Stepping off the merry-go-round doesn’t require a dramatic leap. Small, intentional steps are the most sustainable. Start with ten minutes: dim the lights, brew a cup of tea or cocoa, light a candle, and soften the soundtrack of your day. Even a brief pause can change your mood and open space for gratitude and calm.
Hygge Yourself Down To The Speed Of Serenity
Make room for hygge this season by trimming obligations and spending a little less time and money on excess. Consider what truly matters: shared moments, quiet reflection, and simple comforts. Invite loved ones close when you can; if you’re alone, treat solitude as an opportunity rather than a lack. A short, sacred pause each day helps you reflect on life and direction and offers perspective you’ll appreciate.
Enjoy a cup of cocoa while listening to favorite music. Pull out an old quilt and watch a comforting movie. Sit by a fireplace or a window and look at the lights on the tree with the soft focus of childhood wonder. These small rituals can rekindle wonder and ease the tension of a busy season.
And if your faith shapes your season, open the Gospel of Luke and read the account of Jesus’ birth. For many, remembering the core meaning of the season brings perspective and peace. That reminder can stabilize the heart when everything else feels loud.
Please Join Me In Some Hygge
I hope you’ll hygge along with me this month. I’m working to follow my own advice and slow down, and I’d love to hear about your small hygge moments—those simple comforts that restore you. Share a memory of a warm drink, a quiet evening, or a meaningful pause that brought you peace.
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle