Hygge is an idea that has become popular in America. It may be trendy here, but in Denmark this concept has been a part of the fabric of their society for generations.
Hygge doesn’t have an equivalent word in English. The Oxford English Dictionary does its best at defining the term as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” A clue about hygge’s mysterious identity is how to pronounce it: “hoo-guh.” If this special word sounds familiar, it might be because it comes from the same root word as hug.
In the darkest, coldest days of winter, the Danish experience a measly seven hours of sunlight each day — and this light is actually pretty feeble compared to summer sunshine. In these bleak winter days, hygge is a key ingredient in Danish happiness. The winter nights of the Black Hills may not be as long, cold and dark as the Danish ones, but we still get our fair share of winter doldrums. That got us wondering — is it possible to apply this Danish concept to winter life in the Black Hills?
How to hygge
Denmark consumes more candles per capita than anywhere else in the world. Why? It’s about creating a hygge vibe. In practice, hygge takes many different forms. It’s your favorite pair of pajamas. It’s a slow-cooked meal that’s been simmering all day. It’s slowly sipping a steaming cup of tea. It’s baking. It’s crocheting. It’s watching the snow pile up and waiting for the word that school’s delayed tomorrow. It’s never, ever in a rush. Hygge can be enjoyed alone, but it’s optimized when you’re surrounded by one or more loved ones. It’s comfort.
Hygge is a concept that really is impossible to pin down. There’s so much more to hygge, and there’s some great books out there on the topic to read if you really want to dive into a hygge life this winter. But for right now, we want to wish you Black Hills winter that is full of hygge. Stay cozy, friends.