Louisa Thomsen Brits in her ‘Book of Hygge’ defines it as ‘a quality of presence and an experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being warm, safe, comforted and sheltered.’

Hygge is an experience of selfhood and communion with people and places that anchors and affirms us, gives us courage and consolation.

To hygge is to invite intimacy and connection. It is a feeling of engagement and relatedness, of belonging to the moment and each other. Hygge is a sense of abundance and contentment.

Hygge is about being, not having.

A hygge moment or feeling means something different to everyone. It may be cuddling up on the sofa with a warm drink, sitting around the dinner table with loved ones, taking a walk in the rain and being at one with nature or surrounding yourself with flickering candles and favourite evocative scents.

Danes create hygge as part of their culture and coping mechanisms for cold, long and dark, monotonous days. It was a way for them to lift their spirits with simple acts such as sharing food with friends, buying or picking flowers, sitting around a cosy fire or hugging a mug of coffee sitting curled up with a good book. They incorporate hygge into their daily life – brewing their favourite tea in a real china cup, lighting a candle at the dinner table and always being aware of a good moment.

What’s not to love about hygge?!