The Nostalgic Nose: Creating Holiday Ambiance with Hygge
My Christmas memory is all about me.
Me—the one who runs around like a chicken with her head cut off during the Christmas season. You know how it goes: managing the house, the job, the kids, the cars, the volunteer work, the laundry, the card writing, the gift giving. Whose idea was it to cram three major events into a schedule already bursting at the seams? I allow myself to feel like the sky is falling if I don’t decorate the house inside and out to perfection, shop ‘til I drop, wrap, wrap, wrap, and bake, bake, bake. Even then, my outside light displays never earn so much as a honk of appreciation from passersby.
By the time the new year rolls around, I’m burned out—emotionally, physically, and financially. Something’s gotta give.
Enter my friend, a Danish woman, mother of five, and grandmother of 14, who always seems to exude a quiet bliss. Her secret? She lives by The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Institute.
Hygge (pronounced “hooga”) is a Danish lifestyle that emphasizes getting comfortable and cozy, sharing, eating and drinking well, connecting with nature, and lingering in the moment. For example, adding calming scents from an aromatherapy diffuser with the warm glow of its soft, ambient lights—the perfect way to create a peaceful, hygge-inspired space. Hygge is about:
At its core, hygge reminds me of something simple yet profound: what people want most from me is my time. Time to play a game, sit and listen, ask questions and truly hear the answers. Smiling, laughing, and connecting creates lasting memories and gets the oxytocin flowing—the true magic of the holidays.
This lesson hit home for me after Thanksgiving. Our son and his family have visited us for years, but this time, he sent me a thank-you note. Not for the food or the decorations, but for the weekend together. For being present.
Instead of worrying about orchestrating every detail this year, I embraced hygge. I asked every guest to bring their favorite cold-weather dish. Someone else laid the fire; another person made the hot chocolate. When we realized we were out of marshmallows, I asked a guest to pick them up from the store. I placed a calming seasonal scent in my electric diffuser with soft, ambient lights by the front door. The gentle fragrance set a relaxed tone, and soon enough, my guests were more at ease.
Even the children picked up on the vibe. The relaxed adults set an example, and the kids behaved kindly toward one another—a small miracle in itself!
My new “hygge” mindset may be simple, but it’s life changing. These principles are things we already know, but when woven together as a way of being, they remind us to focus on what truly matters—and let go of the rest.
This is the time of your life. Be grateful. Be glad for the people who want to hygge, to huddle, or to just be with you. Give them what they want most: cozy, comfortable moments that turn into cherished memories.
Wish me the spirit of hygge as I carry it through Christmas, New Year’s, and beyond.
Merry everything!
Jean Greco for Belle Aroma® Brand