It’s Time for Christmas ‘Hygge’

It’s time for Christmas ‘Hygge’ by L.L. Thomsen

Yes! It’s that time of year again.

For me, born and raised in Denmark but now resident in the UK, there is no excuse like Christmas to re-connect with my roots and take a stroll down memory lane with some favourite activities that are specifically linked to my memories of ‘home’.

It’s not that I do not feel perfectly at home in the UK, because I do, but for those of us who have upped roots and moved a fair distance from where we were brought up, there are still certain things that are hard to leave behind - and for me, one of these things is the definite (and apparently very unique) Scandinavian concept of ‘Hygge’.

Now until recently, this idea was seemingly unheard of across most other countries, including the UK and US, but I’m pretty sure that most people now have a fair inkling as to what it entails. However, if it still baffles you, allow me offer you my own simple thoughts on the matter.

‘Hygge’ is somehow both a feeling and an activity. Yet simply put, it’s essentially a term us ‘Scandies’ use when we need to kick back and deliberately embrace the urge to get cosy - usually without any added ceremony involved.

It’s the ‘put your feet up and snuggle down with hot coco and biscuits on a windy afternoon’ kind-of-thing, or it’s the ‘put your PJs on immediately after a long day at work, then open some wine, eat a pizza, and binge-read your favourite book in utter disregard of the outside world and the coming of tomorrow. You can be alone or with friends and/ or family, it doesn’t matter. See, the number of people is irrelevant because it’s all about evoking that feeling of contented intimacy with the present. It’s about somehow simplifying your life for a few hours in a way that allows you to enjoy that bit of selfish ‘me’ or ‘us’ time without guilt.

Yet ‘Hygge’ would not be ‘Hygge’ without food and drink. It cannot be helped – it’s crucial to the concept and without it you cannot achieve the right sense of nesting and belonging. It’s just the way it is.

I wonder if this has come about from the notion of simply enjoying what you have when you can? Or perhaps it’s come about from the urge of making the most of the Scandinavian seasons where the winters are long and dark, and the need to burrow down behind shutters and locked doors lingers until the summer days come along once more and people feel encouraged by the light to celebrate its return - but in truth I do not know.

What I do know, however, is that there is simply nothing quite like a ‘taster’ to invoke understanding, so if you feel like sampling a sliver of true Danish Christmas ‘Hygge’, here’s your chance.

Recipe for ‘Apple Slices’ (or as we call them, ‘Æbleskiver’)

It should be noted that the original recipe called for slices of apple to go in the middle – hence the name and its reference to apples – however, these days the majority forego this, but do feel free to add bits of apple if you should feel like it.

To make these, you need a special pan called an æbleskive pan – you can find these on Amazon and speciality shops. You can also use a Japanese takoyaki pan.

If you use a frying pan, they will look like mini pancakes instead but will still be delicious.

Danish Christmas Pancakes (æbleskiver)

- 3 eggs, separated - 300 ml buttermilk - 100 ml double cream - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon caster sugar - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

L.L. Thomsen is the author of The Missing Shield: an adult high fantasy series that is set in an epic new world that involves a full cast of flawed, multi-faceted characters. With a hint of mystery, darkness and romance her conceptual approach to writing is utterly unique to the fantasy genre and cannot be fully appreciated unless you are prepared to read beyond the ‘first 10 pages’ and immerse yourself in the experience.

You can discover more about Linda on the Mon’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/l-l-thomsen/