Hygge seemed to be everywhere just before Christmas.

Everyone was reading Hygge books and they were forever popping up in blogs and the like. I too got drawn in by the talk of living better and feeling happier by following the Danish way of life. While Christmas shopping, I picked up The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. I was drawn in by the beautiful illustrations on the front cover.

Flicking through the pages of the book in the store, I knew I’d enjoy reading this. It’s a thick book – just under 300 pages – but the text doesn’t fill the pages. I’m not a massive reader so I didn’t want something heavy and filled with long walls of text.

The pretty illustrations from the front cover continue throughout the book, along with pictures of hyggeligt times. 

Spoiler alert from the book – there is no direct translation for hygge. Comfort and cosy are definitely common themes though. I think everyone who reads this book will finish them with slightly different interpretations of what hygge means to them. For example, there’s a lot of talk about surrounding yourself with friends in the book but I’m not a hugely social person so to me that’s probably not hygge.

What I did discover through reading this book though is that a lot of the things I associate with comfort and happiness are common in Danish culture too. Snuggled up on a couch with a blanket, candles lit, soft lighting and good food. That’s my ideal night in and from reading this book, is very hygge. 

After some general talking about hygge and what it all means the book goes into more specific topics. Ranging from Christmas the Danish way to what clothes are most hygge (chunky knits, FYI). There’s even a section on hygge in the Summer. This is handy as you can reach a point in the book where you just think it’s only achievable in the cold.

There’s even a small section on perfect hygge foods, with recipes to boot. Word of warning, if you’re on a diet it’s probably best to avoid! As hygge is all about comfort, it goes without saying the foods are rich and delicious looking! Obviously in a country where most people cycle, they can get away with such treats!

A little review for a little book

It’s something a bit different for me to review a book but I enjoyed reading this so much I had to. I burnt through it pretty quickly but enjoyed every page I read. It was great to learn about another culture and also nice to see some of the things I already do in the book. Now I have some extra tips and ideas to help me get closer to the Danish on the happiness scale!

If you know any similar styles of books please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to read more!

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