Share the Joy - Giving the Gift of Hygge

The international interest in the Danish lifestyle hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") has been co-opted by retailers who want to sell to us.  Of course, we do need items to make life more comfortable, such as beds, tables, chairs, clothing, and food.  I happen to think we also need books, flowers, and candles.  No one – not even a minimalist like me – can stop consuming while they're alive.

But what we can control is how much we buy that's unnecessary, and how much we waste.  And since hygge is an experience you can create, not a thing you can buy, we don't really need to purchase anything to have a more hyggeligt life.  A sunrise, a crisp and juicy apple, birdsong, the scent of rain, or a long, strong hug can provide that.

13 great hygge gifts

So how do you give the gift of hygge?  What can you offer a loved one that will truly add to their stock of  comfort, joy, and life satisfaction?  Here are some ideas, large and small, that shouldn't add to your friends' clutter, but will help them live with more hygge.

1.  A love note or thank you note.

Christmas, birthdays, Thanksgiving Day or any day is a good time to let loved ones know what you like about them.  You could buy or make a nice card and write your heartfelt thoughts inside.  You could also create a long list of their good traits and use your best handwriting or calligraphy to make a scroll, then roll and tie it with a ribbon.

2.  A photo

Find a small frame and place a special photo of you and the gift recipient inside.  This works well for friends, family, or your significant other.

3.  Homemade jam

Who doesn't love jam, especially when it's made with care?  You can make a batch yourself, or buy some from a gourmet shop.  If it's a flavor special to an area you visited while traveling, your recipient will know that you thought of them while you were away, plus they'll have something new and unique to try.

If jam isn't your jam, look for other gourmet condiments like mustard, chutney, salsa, etc.

4.  Candles

Did you know that Danes burn more candles per capita than any other country?  More than 85% of Danes mention candles when describing a hygge atmosphere.  They prioritize natural, renewable soy and beeswax.  They also prefer unscented candles that won't compete with food smells while letting the warmth and glow of the flame take center stage.

Here in the U.S., candles that meet those requirements can be hard to find.  However, Red Barn Candle Company makes an unscented 3-wick soy wax candle* which has been poured into a reusable 10"x6" wooden bowl.  A rustic-looking unscented beeswax pillar candle from Root Candles in Ohio burns cleanly for up to 102 hours.  I think these fit the bill.

* This blog is reader-supported, with no ads!  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.

5.  Leisure gifts

If you know your loved one's favorite hobby, you could buy something that will help them enjoy it more.  Examples include bamboo knitting needles in a range of sizes, golf balls and tees, a compass or Swiss army knife for the hiker or camper, cookie cutters or a batter bowl for the baker, etc.

Love music?  Please listen to this new bluegrass song

created by my reader, Carla Padgett and her friends!

(She sings backup vocals and plays the fiddle.)

They're using the song to bring awareness and solicit donations

for those devastated by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Listen here and please give if you can.  

6.  A fresh deck

Your game-loving friend might enjoy a fresh deck of cards that reflects their interest or style.  For example, the venerable brand Bicycle has dozens of options, and for a little higher price, Theory 11 has even more gorgeous designs.  Give the cards along with a promise to play together once a month, plus a link to the ultimate how-to-play website, Gather Together Games.

7.  An heirloom

Is there a small heirloom you'd like to hand down to a younger generation?  I gave my daughter a gold heart-shaped locket necklace that originally belonged to my mother.  I have an old leather-bound copy of Great Expectations that was my dad's.  My husband cherishes a pair of his father's gold cufflinks, perfect for when he dresses up.

Consider the gifting possibilities of vintage vinyl records, jewelry, a vase (add fresh flowers), an ancestral photo, a small musical instrument, a chess set, or your restored baseball mitt (there's tons of how-to information online).  Someone you know might be overjoyed to have such a memento.

8.  A handmade scarf

Do you knit or crochet?  A soft handmade scarf in a favorite color will be used by almost anyone on your list.  You can even craft summer-weight scarves or shawls with delicate cotton yarn.

9.  Cozy reading

You might think that a print magazine is old-fashioned – but maybe that's the charm of it!  A magazine subscription shows that you've considered your recipient's interests.  It's a gift that keeps giving, offering a regular dose of entertainment, knowledge, and inspiration.  Reading it provides a break from busyness.  The right magazine is a little indulgence to be savored.

There are tons of fashion, decorating, and celebrity mags, but maybe your recipient would enjoy Victoria, Mary Jane's Farm, Birds & Blooms, or Cook's Illustrated.  There are lots of sports, political, and financial publications, but consider Family Handyman, Scientific American, or Smithsonian.  There are also magazines geared toward history, travel, film, parenting, all sorts of crafts, and the list goes on.  Browse at a big newsstand to get some out-of-the-ordinary ideas.

Don't forget that there are children's magazines too, like National Geographic for Kids, the family of wonderful magazines published by Cricket Media, and Kazoo for girls aged 5-12.

10.  Membership

Here's another gift that keeps giving all year.  My husband and I buy our daughter, son-in-law, and three grandsons an annual membership at the California State Railroad Museum so they can visit whenever they want for free.

All varieties of museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers, and botanical gardens offer memberships which include reduced (or waived) entrance fees, members'-only events, discounts in their stores and cafés, and sometimes reciprocity with other institutions, meaning that a membership at one gives you discounts and perks at other places too.  The right membership could bring a lot of fun, education, togetherness, and happy memories to your recipients.

11.  Soup

A pot of soup simmering on the stove promises warmth and deliciousness, and the scent welcomes everyone who enters.  You can give that hygge feeling to your loved ones quite easily.  Simply gather pint-size glass jars and grocery store ingredients so you can put together one or more of these yummy soup mixes.

12.  Time out

Let your loved one know that you recognize how hard they work, and give them the gift of relaxation.  Simple luxuries like a gift card for coffee and a muffin at their favorite shop, movie tickets, or a pedicure will make them feel pampered and appreciated.

13.  Adventure

If you know of a place your loved one has always wanted to visit – or visited once and would like to return to – you can create a gift basket with items related to that place.  This isn't just a collection of trinkets and tchotchkes, but a way of giving them their dream, or at least inspiring them toward future experiences.

I live in California, so I'll use it as an example.  I could fill a nice basket with some or all of these things:

• an embroidered California dish towel to line it
• a few ripe avocados or navel oranges
• olive oil, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or prunes grown in Sutter County, where I live
• a wheel of Marin French Cheese Company's triple crème Brie and a bottle of California wine
• a package of California golden poppy seeds
• a box of beautiful California postcards that can be mailed or framed
• an illustrated California travel guide

Here's another example – a London-themed basket I wouldn't mind having for myself:

• a London dish towel
• Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme tea in a pretty tin
• a vintage teacup and saucer, or a vintage silver teaspoon
• British food items from my local market, such as Walker's shortbread, Wilkin & Sons orange marmalade, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, and Colman's mustard
• a petite book of English Romantic poetry
• a beautiful London-themed journal
• an illustrated Great Britain travel guide

Wow!  If your loved one needs inspiration to save for their trip, or is content to enjoy a bit of armchair traveling, you've provided the means.

Spread hygge.

Your carefully chosen gifts can help your friends and loved ones experience more comfort, joy, and satisfaction.  And when you share hygge, that act of generosity increases your happiness and fulfillment too.  It's a win for everyone.

Related articles: How to Avoid Giving the 12 Days of Uselessness

and There's Still Time to Create a Simple, Non-Consumer Christmas

Did you enjoy this post?  It's not too late to order my book, Minimalist Hygge: Creating a Life of Simple Comfort and Joy, for yourself or to give as a gift.  It's available as an e-book (read it on any device with Amazon's free Kindle app), in paperback, or as a beautiful hardcover.

Hygge may have originated in Scandinavia, but it's an idea that deserves to spread throughout the world.  It's a perfect fit with both minimalism and gratitude, and if you're interested in either you'll love the insights I share.

A hyggeligt mindset can help you see the beauty that's right in front of you every day, and Minimalist Hygge can be your guide.