The art of savoring those cozy, simple life pleasures is a cultural concept the Danish and Norwegians have been cultivating for centuries: Hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”).

Though its embrace markedly emerges during the holiday season and as a way of coping with the dark, harsh winters that hit northern Europe each year, it’s a state of mind that sticks around no matter the season.

“Danish winters are long and bleak. During this time of year, they have three hours of full sunshine during the day, then a long, drawn out dusk,” said Dayton resident Hans Madsen, who came to the United States with his Danish family at 8-years-old. “It can be really, really depressing. The Danish answer to that is Hygge.”

Even with extended darkness in the northern latitudes and an objectively difficult gardening season, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes consistently rank in surveys as some of the happiest people in the world.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
A white chocolate drizzle complements the orange cranberry oatmeal cookie recipe created by Fort Dodge personal chef Sarah Small, bringing out bright, textured notes with each bite that make for perfect company by candlelight.

At Christmas in particular, Madsen remembers his mother making every element of decorating and celebrating an extended experience. As candlelight dimly relaxed the home, the waft of clove-laden oranges brightened the home with their smell, making one not want to rush through what they were doing.

But unlike those Christmas decorations, Hygge is something you can enjoy any time.

“You’ll often hear a Dane say ‘that was a Hyggelig (hoo-guh-lee) drive around the lake’ or a ‘Hyggelig picnic,'” Madsen said. “You just do things, little things.”

It could mean wearing your softest mittens for a brisk winter walk, taking special cutlery to a picnic, putting ambient music in the background or enjoying a conversation as you thoroughly savor fresh cookies with your tea.

And well-done Hygge, the Dane said, takes preparation — baking those cookies, brewing the coffee, arranging the candles. In Denmark, people go to great lengths to create Hyggelig.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious This orange cranberry oatmeal cookie recipe provided by chef Sarah Small, owner of personal chef service Sarah Makes All The Things, can help any home short on cookie recipes achieve a Hygge-like atmosphere.

“It’s a very deliberate thing, something people work towards,” Madsen said.

And though the concept has grown somewhat more popular in the United States over the last several years, with more books being published and more advertising honing product appeal with it, Hygge is in itself a bit of an anti-consumerism concept. You’re happiness can’t be bought — it’s what you make of it.

“Yes, it requires some purchases,” Madsen said, “but really, it’s about eating what you’d already eat or doing what you’re already doing. It’s an attitude and environment you have when you do those things.”

Though it helps the Dayton man keep in touch with his native culture and maintain a sense of serenity that facilitates good mental health, he said it’s something Americans have particular difficulty with.

“I think Americans have a lot of trouble dealing with it because they’re not socialized this way,” said Madsen, who spent most of his childhood in Nebraska. “Everything in American culture is very rushed, doing something constructive, working, achieving. Danish culture tends to be a lot more laid back.”

While Iowans this Christmas might try to fill their plates and shovel in the meal to go for a drive to see Christmas lights, Madsen said those in Denmark will sit around the table and living room enjoying meal courses for hours on end. Often, the children will be hungry again by the end of Christmas dinner and come back to the table.

If you’re short on ideas to create Hygge in your home, here are some recipes and ideas to get you started.

Hyggelig ideas:

• Light candles.

•­ Turn on ambient music. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the focus of your attention, but it should facilitate a relaxed mood.

• Put on some slippers, sweatpants or grab your favorite throw blanket and pillow for movies on the couch.

• Read your favorite book on the couch with the family pet in your lap.

• Anything else you love to do, as long as it’s deliberate and not rushed. Remember, you aren’t trying to fill the time with activities, you’re trying to let the activities captivate your sense of enjoyment, recharge your state of mind and deliver happiness that lingers long after the activity is over.

• Make recipes like the ones provided.

Hyggelig recipes:

These drink and cookie recipes, created by Fort Dodge personal chef Sarah Small, provide a perfect entry point for creating Hygge in your own home. Special thanks for the creations to Small, who makes custom recipes like these through personal chef service Sarah Makes All The Things.

Hottie Apple Toddy:

Ingredients

1.5 ounces apple flavored whisky or apple liquor (optional)

3 ounces apple cider or juice

1 cup hot water

Apple slice, cinnamon stick or spices, for garnish (optional)

Directions: Combine apple whiskey and cider at the bottom of a mug. Top with hot water and garnish as you please.

Sarah’s Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies:

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

Zest of two oranges

1 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup dried cranberry raisins

1/4 cup white chocolate chips

1 tbsp. vegetable shortening

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Stir in egg and orange zest.

4. Combine flour and baking soda in a separate bowl, then mix into butter mixture.

5. Add oats and cranberry raisins.

6. Drop spoonfuls of dough on a parchment lined baking sheet, approximately 2 inches apart.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

8. While cookies are baking, combine white chocolate chips with shortening in a microwave safe bowl.

9. Microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring until combined.

10. Drizzle white chocolate over cooled cookies.

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