On the twelfth day of Christmas, The Costa Group shares with thee: hygge.

Hygge is a Danish word meaning “cozy, charming, or special”. It can be used when you realize a certain feeling or moment, whether alone or with others, ordinary or extraordinary. Danes created hygge because they were trying to survive boredom, intense cold, and long periods of darkness. The feeling of Hygge was a way for them to find moments to celebrate or acknowledge and to break up the day.

Hygge doesn’t require learning any skills, adopting it as a lifestyle or buying anything. It’s not a tangible thing and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! You can’t purchase any ‘hygge furniture’ and there isn’t a ‘hygge diet’.

The concept just requires a conscious appreciation, a certain slowness, and the ability to not just be ‘in the moment’ – but recognize and enjoy the present. That’s why so many consider ‘hygge’ to be a ‘feeling’ or ‘state of mind’. If you don’t feel hygge, you probably aren’t using the word right.

Here are some items that can help you find hygge: