Fall Hygge (Hoo-Ga)
The leaves are starting to change, the mornings are now dark and cool. Summer is slowing fading away, replaced by a familiar friend, autumn. When my husband and I were dating, I jokingly referred to him as a “fall freak.” The guy loved fall. I mean, sure, who doesn’t love fall? But this guy? He really loved fall. The more falls we shared together, the more I grew to understand, appreciate, and join in in his fondness for the season. Once we were married and in our home, we’d patiently wait until Labor Day to ceremoniously light the first fall candle, bust the fall decor boxes out of the basement, and start packing away signs of summer. Once September rolls around, I’m itching to get to the stores to look at all the fall things I don’t need. When it comes to holiday decor, I typically stick with linens, florals, wreaths, & faux candles, in neutral colors that will hold their own for years to come and enhance my existing home decor, rather than distract from it. I always make purchases with storage in mind - these things are going to live in my basement 10 months out of the year, so I better love them AND have the space for them. Pumpkins and mums are a different story. Over the weeks, my front porch collection seems to grow & grow until you can barely find a path to the door.
Anywho, all this got me thinking. It’s more than just consumerism that drives us to the pumpkin patches in droves, or light fall candles, or buy a gallon of apple cider for $7.99 (unreal). We all experience that urge to nest and settle in at home as the fall and winter seasons roll around, but did you know there is a name for it? Meet “hygge,” pronounced “hoo-ga".” Hygge is a Dutch word meaning “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”. Yes, there is actually one word that captures the feeling you get when you’re snuggled up on the couch with popcorn, under your favorite throw blanket, a candle flickering, the window cracked open. I realized over the years, that hygge has played an integral part in my role at home - I’m always striving to create a warm space for my family - something baking in the oven, slow cooking on the stove, and soft lighting throughout the house. When you do these things for and with the people you love - that's hygge my friends!
With hygge in mind, you can transform your home into a safe haven, a resting place, a space to recover from the demands of a long day or a tough week. The best part of hygge? It requires presence. Once you realize what you’re doing is hygge - you savor it more. Hygge demands grace, simplicity, and gratitude for the moment you’re in. It’s doesn’t require the latest Studio McGee items, or elaborate tablescapes, or pre-lit garland in every room (however, I’m guilty of all 3); just quality time spent in a warm environment with the ones you love. Decorating your home for the season is special, but don’t let consumerism be your driver. Let your motive be an invitation for your family to be present, spend some time together, and cozy up. Next time you sit down for a drink next to the fire, or bake cookies and serve them still warm, or watch Hocus Pocus for the 3rd consecutive week, think “hygge” and watch the moment become a memory you’ll cherish forever. Below are some my favorite hygge activities for fall. I hope you give them a try and embrace the beauty of the season!
5 Hygge Ideas for Fall
Go Apple Picking as a family and then bake your favorite apple pie, apple crisp, or applesauce! Spending time at a local farm is so special and supporting our farmers is so important! Many offer much more than apple picking - dahlias, raspberries, and corn are still ripe for the picking this time of year.
Fall in Love with Reading again. The days are getting shorter and it’s a perfect time to literally curl up with a good book. Let this be your sign to go to your local library! Not sure where to start? Most have a shelf dedicated to “fast favorites” which I always find to be a hit. Treat yourself to a new throw blanket and a hot cuppa something or a nice chardonnay. Ugh, that sounds good!
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin(s). There have been years we grew our own heirloom pumpkins (so fun!), years we carefully picked the perfect pumpkins at the local patch, and one year that I literally tossed a $5 pumpkin into my cart in the grocery store parking lot. Do what you can, when you can - but you gotta have pumpkins!
Slow Cook Something or try a new seasonal recipe. I’ll link our favorite fall pasta dish here - https://juliasalbum.com/butternut-squash-pasta-with-sausage-and-spinach/ - it’s comfort in a bowl. I have certain meals I only make certain times of the year. Not only does this make it more special - but some ingredients, like butternut squash, taste better, are priced better, and are more nutrient-dense when you cook with them in-season.
Open the Windows and refresh your home. Embrace the whole “sweater or no sweater?” weather and let the autumn breeze flutter the curtains. Walk through each room in your house and swap things like blankets, florals, and candles with seasonal items. Or just “move” each object to shift the energy - this is one of my FAVORITE feng shui tips and something I do weekly as a part of my cleaning ritual. Invite prosperity into your home but making it beautiful for the ones you love.
Okay, there you have it! The blog post no one asked for on all things fall hygge. I hope you savor this special season. Use it as a time to refresh your home, rest your legs, and snuggle up. Remember, it’s the little things we do for our families that often are the biggest. I can still remember one particular day, I got off the bus after school and my mom had warm coffee cake on the table waiting for us. It was the best thing I ever ate. So go make that apple pie or light that candle - these little things are what help us be present, together. These things make a house a home. This is hygge!
