15 Hygge Activities to Enjoy Now: Cozy Living

Hygge is a Danish word for a mood of coziness with feelings of wellness and contentment. It’s what my blogging friends and I ascribe to the first Saturday of each month when we come together for this cozy living series. Each of us shares what gives us that warm fuzzy feeling for that month, whether it’s a favorite recipe, new vignettes in the home, arts and crafts, or special activities. You can see my friends’ inspiration at the bottom of this post. For me, this time of year tends to invoke the coziest of feelings with the shortening of days and arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas. And so, I’m sharing a list of 15 hygge activities you can enjoy now that invite a feeling of comfort, well-being, and happiness. (This post contains affiliate links – see my privacy policy.)

 

1. Make tealight candle holders out of apples. Carve a hole in the top of an apple to fit a tea light candle. Place the candle inside the apple. Group a few apples together in a basket with cinnamon sticks for a wonderful fragrance and cozy feeling.

 

2. Plan a fall picnic. In most parts of the country, there are still a few warmer days left. Host an outdoor picnic with a pretty fall centerpiece. Provide knitted throws for added warmth as the sun starts to set.

 

3. Create leaf wrapped jar candles. Gather newly fallen leaves from the yard and use twine or pliable branches such as heather to secure them in place around glass jars. You can apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to each side of the leaf to keep them from becoming brittle over time. The glue also helps to secure the leaves to the jar. Place a candle inside the jar and watch the leaves take on a special glow.

 

4. Make tea with fall spices. Once the weather starts to get a chill in the air, a cup of tea with autumn spices will warm your soul. Simple Loose Leaf Tea shares their top 10 autumn tea recipes. Serve it in a pretty English tea cup and sip it while watching a British movie like Jane Eyre or Charles Dickens’ Bleak House.

 

5. Stock up on cozy throws and blankets. I always love adding a new throw or two when cooler temperatures arrive. It’s a fairly inexpensive way to pamper yourself and is one of my favorite hygge activities. Previous throws and blankets can be donated to shelters. If you’re good at sewing, you can always transform throws into scarves or mittens.

 

6. Take a drive on a scenic country road. The countryside is full of gorgeous color this time of year. Even after the leaves have fallen, the fields are still golden and beautiful. A rich red barn is always a pretty sight to see in the countryside,

 

7. Set an elegant table – just because. Most of us like to set a beautiful table for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but why not surprise the family with a pretty tablescape for no reason at all? Splurge on an autumn floral centerpiece, add some candles, and relish the ambience.

 

8. Treat yourself to new socks. In addition to a new throw or blanket, I also love getting new socks for the fall and winter seasons. Last year I bought everyone in the family a pair of patterned socks for Christmas. I wasn’t sure how that gift would go over, but everyone loved them and are expecting a new pair this year. I buy socks from Bombas because they donate a pair for every pair you buy. They’re also super comfortable and come in fun patterns. I’m wearing a pair right now!

 

9. Make autumn sangria. A couple weeks ago during our fall leaf-peeping trip, I had the best autumn sangria at a Thai restaurant. Now I’m on a mission to replicate the recipe. I’d also like to try pumpkin or pomegranate sangria. Mule High Wine Tours shares 13 fall sangria recipes that all sound pretty appetizing!

 

10. Stock up on scented candles. I think we can all agree that fall and winter are the best time to enjoy scented candles in the home. There’s such an array of scents. I prefer cinnamon scents during the fall and pine scents at Christmas. What’s your favorite?

 

11. Adopt a furry friend. Tell me, what could be more cozy and comforting than a furry friend to cuddle with during colder, shorter days? Of all the hygge activities on the list, this one has to be the best. I’m a cat person, but I like dogs too. You can adopt a loving pet from a shelter. Maybe one like this beautiful long-haired cat.

 

12. Set a casual fall table. A special table setting doesn’t have to be fancy and elegant. To create a fall look, use textures like dried wheat stalks, golden oak leaves, linen or cotton napkins, and woven placemats.

 

13. Enjoy a manicure and paint your nails in fall colors. Some women get really creative with fingernail art (sadly, I’m not one of them). This autumn nail polish treatment looks so fun and pretty. If I didn’t work so much with my hands, I might give this look a try.

 

14. Create a cozy reading nook. Set up a comfy spot in your house for reading a new novel or your favorite magazines. Add pillows and throws, grab a cup of autumn tea, and let your furry friend nestle in your lap for the ultimate in hygge activities.

 

15. Stay up for the partial lunar eclipse. The longest partial lunar eclipse to occur in a century can be seen in the wee hours of November 19th. November’s beaver moon ascends and the earth will come between the sun and moon, covering about 97% of the moon’s surface, resulting in a red glow. If you don’t want to stay up after midnight, you should still be able to see the partial lunar eclipse during the evening of November 18th.

Hopefully you’ll get a chance to enjoy one or more of these hygge activities. I’m especially excited about the partial lunar eclipse and am hoping for clear skies that night.

 

Be sure to visit my blogging friends below to see what they’ve got in store this month!

Stress-Free Thanksgiving Tips / Fall Branches Watercolors / Hygge Activities

 

Acorn Squash Soup / Small Thanksgiving Celebration