Denmark has long, dark winters. In December the sun barely comes up. Instead of fighting the dark, Danes have turned it into something nice. They light lots of candles, snuggle into blankets, drink hot drinks and gather in small groups. The room glows. The conversation gets quiet. That feeling has a name - hygge.
Hygge isn't about anything fancy. You don't need to buy anything special. A pair of warm socks, a candle, a cup of cocoa and one good friend is enough. In fact, Danes will tell you that lots of expensive things can ruin hygge. The whole point is simple.
Lots of small habits help create hygge. Danes burn more candles per person than anyone else in the world - around 6 kilos of candle wax per person every year. They use soft, warm lights (never bright ones). They keep their phones away during meals. They make time to be slow.
Hygge isn't just for winter. There is summer hygge too - sitting outside in the garden on a long evening, listening to friends laughing, eating cake. The shared bit is what matters: it's about feeling close to other people without rushing.