Teachers hygge too. Fact.

“Hygge moments are the small everyday moments that make you happy. The best of them are bright and shining like stars. Having a word for it makes you aware that they are right in front of your eyes. Ready for you to collect”. Marie Tourell Søderberg

The Danish philosophy of happiness – hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-guh’) – has recently been becoming more and more popular. No wonder why Danish are perceived as the happiest nation in the world. Hygge epitomises relaxing atmosphere, positive relationships with others, conversations & active listening, observing with recognising feelings and emotions as well as sensual experiencing of little details of everyday life. Hygge is being together, understanding sources of your happiness and seizing moments. Hygge is not about rules and control.

We want feel cosy, relaxed and happy too, don’t we? I am writing this post a day after a hygge ladies’ night with my female colleagues – yep all teachers!

My idea for a hyggelig evening is as follows:

Once you know how many friends/colleagues you would like to invite, start making your shopping list. To get into the spirit of togetherness, I have bought some colourful and cosy socks to be worn and used some colourful beads for making bracelets. Marie Tourell Søderberg advises not to be spending too much time and energy on preparations. Instead, she advises to leave this energy for your guests.

My friend who loves baking, and who has just got a book with Scandinavian cakes recipes, has kindly offered she would make a cake – which was a great idea. The cake was delicious!

Menu:

Food

Roasted pepper and chickpeas tomato soup (please see my recipe in another blog post)

Crusty sourdough bread with garlic and rosemary butter

Root vegetables and egg salad

Buckwheat, beetroot and halloumi salad (please see my recipe in another blog post)

Selection of cheese

Cake

Clementines

Drinks

Wine (prosecco, red, white, and rose) – you may want to consider mulled wine

Swedish cider

Lemonade

Selection of teas

Additional stuff

• colourful cosy socks – could be given when your guests arrive, as a lucky dip
• colourful beads for making bracelets
• spruce leaves for decoration
• fairy lights
• candles, lots of candles and candles

Do you think we had fun? 🙂