A Hygge Gift Guide for Simplicity & Joy
The season of giving is upon us. As Joshua Becker recently shared, this doesn't have to be a season of excess. With focus and intention, you can keep the season simple.
I invite you to quiet the noise and focus on enjoying a season of simplicity and joy. Choose to invest in experiences instead of things and give gifts that align with this core value.
To achieve this intention, make this a season of embracing the Danish concept of hygge. Loosely translated as coziness, it’s been referred to as the Danish secret to happiness. It's a perfect concept for anyone desiring a life of experiences over things. While hygge can be enjoyed all year long, it’s especially prominent during the long, dark winter months.
While your presence and love are the most valuable gifts you can give, sometimes joy comes from giving a physical gift. By infusing the elements of hygge into gift-giving this year, you can keep this holiday season simple and joyful. Choose moderation and simplicity over excess.
This gift guide is created with the hygge concept in mind. It’s a collection of simple gifts (plus some experiences) that will enable you to spread love and joy and make life a little more hyggelig.
These gifts bring in the key elements of hygge, including cozy blankets and comfy clothes, warm drinks and tasty handmade treats, good books, elements from nature, and a welcoming ambiance of candles and simple music… all best enjoyed device-free while sharing conversation (and perhaps playing a board game) with those you love.
It’s all about sinking into joy and being present with people you love, doing simple things that feel good.
It’s about being creative, using what you have, and embracing simplicity.
It’s NOT about going out and buying new things to “stage” ahygge event. I share this list simply asa collection of ideas to gift to those whom you think might enjoy a morehyggelig life.
You’ll find gifts for coziness and comfort, gifts that are all about savoring memories and sharing joy, low/no-cost ideas you can make or gift from what you already have, plus a few ideas for getting out and enjoying new experiences. There’s something for everyone and every budget.
Cozy + Comfort
1.Stay Cozy Sweatshirt - Give a gift that makes you want to snuggle in at home-a super-soft, hand-printed Stay Cozy sweatshirt from Hills & Trails. Made in Maine, on a working farm, you’ll find housewares, apparel, and gear that are minimalist but modern with a rustic edge. I had this sweatshirt on my wish list for over a year and am so glad it’s finally part of my simple wardrobe collection.
2. Yoreganics Balms (& more) - Nourish dry skin and launder clothes with these organic body care and laundry products made in Rhode Island. Founder, Kim Mendes’ vision for her company is to, “…revisit simple, like the days of yore, when Mother Nature's ingredients were used to heal our bodies naturally.” Your gift recipients will enjoy these simple products. Let’s just say I have Yore Balm with me all. of. the. time. And think you and your gift recipients will, too, once you give it a try.
3. Body Frost Sugar Scrubs - When a hot bath is what’s needed, these small-batch, made in Maine scrubs and bath salts will ease stress and calm the mind. Pure, simple, and lovely, with a range of scents to choose from, your friends will be all set to stay in and enjoy some self-love time. These goodies were included in our last retreat gift bag and the attendees LOVED them!
4. Seawicks Candles - When we simplified our lives in 2012, one of the first things we let go of was the candle collection we had amassed over the years. I made the decision to rid our home of chemical and fragrance-filled candles with lead wicks in favor of just a few simple, natural, organic candles. Soon after we arrived in Maine, I found Seawicks Candle Company and I’ve been a loving customer ever since.
5. Deerfoams Slipper Socks - Toasty toes are a must when the weather gets cold outside. These slipper socks have been my go-to favorite since they were gifted to me last year. They're perfect for cold evenings at home gathered in front of the fireplace with those you love.
6. Spotify - Enjoy all the music you want-without the clutter-with a subscription to Spotify. Find a hygge playlist you like (this one is my favorite), engage your senses and let yourself get lost in the joy of music. When you're feeling the winter blues, music might be just the special "pick me up" needed.
7. Vermont Nut Free Chocolates - As a mom of two children with severe nut allergies, we love Vermont Nut Free Chocolates. We’ve been loyal customers for years, as it’s one of the few places with a variety of fun sweet treats that my children can actually eat safely. They’ve added more products over the years so there’s something for everyone.
8. Black Dinah Chocolates - If you’re looking for more sweet treats that don’t need to be nut-free, Black Dinah Chocolatiers is the place for indulgence. On the tiny Maine island of Isle au Haut, back in 2007, Kate Shaffer began making these exquisite confections. Her business has grown and grown over the years as she continues to make sweet treats like no other! From the unique flavors of hot chocolate and chocolate bark, to vegan chocolate and even gift subscriptions, there’s much to be savored. The hardest part will be deciding what to order!
9. Books - For the book lover on your list, it’s often hard to choose what to gift. (And it’s just as hard for me to choose my favorite books to recommend!) The books that stand out as my favorites for this year are:
- The Art of Making Memories – Meik Wiking
- Atomic Habits – James Clear
- Lagom – Lola A. Akerstrom
- Digital Minimalism – Cal Newport
- Plus, since this is a hygge list: The Little Book of Hygge – Meik Wiking
Savoring Memories + Sharing Joy
10. Kolo Photo Album or Scrapbook - Make your memories tangible by printing your photos and creating simple albums. Gift them to those you love and enjoy reflecting with them on everyday moments, family celebrations, and travel adventures during winter days spent inside. Kolo makes my favorite scrapbooks and albums to store printed photos. They offer high-quality, colorful options for creating books that will help you share the memories and enjoy the moments for many, many years.
11. Blurb Digital Photo Album - If your recipient would rather not print photos, encourage her to tell the stories through printed digital photo albums instead. Blurb makes my favorite printed digital albums. (aff) Highlight a favorite experience you shared with the recipient by creating a single book or magazine about the event. Blurb offers a variety of sizes and paper options to make your gift one-of-a-kind. These albums will be a conversation starter for many hygge evenings to come.
12. Nixplay Digital Frame - If you’d rather not have a physical album of your memories, a Nixplay frame is the perfect way to enjoy all of your digital photos in a beautiful shelf-worthy frame. (aff) Choose one and alternate photo playlists as you wish. You can also purchase frames for family members then share playlists with them via the easy-to-use app. Embrace the hygge aspect of sharing memories with those you love, even if they’re halfway across the globe!
13. Waypoint Goods Travel Journal (& Travel Scarf) - Hot off the presses, the new Travel Journal from Waypoint Goods (aff) is the perfect gift for your travel-loving friends and family. It’s filled with prompts that make it easy to document your next adventure. It’s simple and small, made to perfectly fit inside the secret pocket of the Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf. Stash the journal along with a phone, keys, and other essentials to keep them safe and easy to access while out and about. Gift these together to that friend who loves to explore.
14. Coloring Book - Gift a favorite coloring book filled with images of a place they love. Then take it a step further by sitting and coloring with them. Give yourself permission to lose track of time and enjoy the process as you engage in deep conversation with your loved ones. My favorites currently include this one from a trip to Nova Scotia and another from Quebec City.
No cost + homemade
15. Handmade Blanket - Gift one of your favorite handmade blankets or be creative and make one for your recipient. If you have a large collection of blankets that have been passed down to you, consider passing one along to someone you love. Be sure to share the story of who made it when you give the gift. Or if you've considered trying (or retrying) knitting or crocheting, gather with other crafters in your community and make a simple blanket to gift.
16. Tea, Chai, or Coffee - Choose a favorite tea, chai, or coffee and gift it with a heartfelt note to someone you love. This is a simple gift that can be savored alone or with friends. Encourage the recipient to slow down and sip the drink (alone or with you) while thinking of things that bring him joy. Invite him to create a daily gratitude practice that he reflects on while enjoying the warm drink.
17. Upcycled Sweater Mittens - Be resourceful and upcycle your worn sweaters into warm mittens. These were hand made by a local crafter and gifted to me years ago and they are the warmest mittens I own. Bring on the snowball fight!
18. Family Recipes - Engaging your senses and recalling happy memories creates joy. Give the gift of a homemade meal along with a handprinted recipe card. If the recipe comes from loved ones who’ve passed on, include a photo of that person with the gift. Focus on reliving the happy memories you shared with that person and think of the love with which they prepared that special dish over the years.
19. Knitted Cell Phone Holder - I first found these sweet cell phone “sleeping bags” during my stay at Le Monastère des Augustines, Quebec. I've taught many classes on digital decluttering and simplifying your digital world, so this simple handmade creation was a welcome detail during my stay at Le Monastère . You can find patterns online to make your own (one element of hygge is making things by hand), or you can find handmade ones on Etsy.
20. Fresh Greenery - Source your yard for simple greens and natural elements to create a simple arrangement as a hostess gift. Tie it together with ribbon or fabric scraps you have on hand or wrap them in a paper bag. Include a special note that tells the recipient how they’ve brought you joy this year. Enjoy the process of choosing the elements and preparing the arrangement. Simple gifts made with love are received with love.
21. Duolingo - Learning languages can be fun! Whether your gift recipient only knows one language, or she’s got a few in her repertoire, it’s always helpful to know a few key phrases in other languages. Join Duolingo with her and practice together. Together, you might brush up on the languages you studied in high school or maybe you'll start fresh with a new language. The app makes learning fun and provides accountability and “prizes” for reaching progress milestones. The free version of Duolingo is robust and provides all you need to learn a new language. Imagine all of the conversations you and your friends can have in different languages during your hygge evenings at home!
While hygge is often practiced indoors, it is also about getting out and embracing the joys of each season. With this idea in mind, here are a few gift ideas for getting out and embracing new experiences.
Experiences + Adventure
22. U.S. National Parks Pass or Parks Canada Discovery Pass - Give the gift that gets you and your friends outside and immersed in nature. With a national park pass in the United States or in Canada (or in your neck of the woods), your recipients can enjoy the sights, learn about history, and breathe in fresh air. Encourage them to slow down, be mindful, and let go of stress and worry as they explore the great outdoors.
23. Snowshoeing - Embrace the snow! Maybe skiing and ice skating aren’t your thing, but have you tried snowshoeing? I admit, it wasn’t until my first winter in Maine that I tried this activity, but once I did, I wondered how I had never done it before! It's super simple and pretty much anyone can do it. The best part is hearing the crunch of the snow as you walk. Check with your local parks and recreation department for snowshoe rental options, search used sporting goods stores, or purchase a new set like these from LL Bean.
24. Purposeful Nomad Trip - Sometimes the best gift is planning a trip to an exciting new place in the world. If you and your friends decide to fully embrace the idea of investing in experiences over things, I encourage you to join Caitlin Murray of Purposeful Nomad in 2020 for a small group trip for women, by women. She has several exciting trips planned for 2020 that will provide the opportunity to see the world and create memories that will last a lifetime!
25. Urban Adventures Tour - If your gift recipient loves adventure but is not much of a city person, gift her an Urban Adventures tour. (aff) Visiting large cities can be overwhelming but Urban Adventures is here to make it easy and enjoyable. With expert local city guides as your tour leaders, you’ll explore, learn and have fun experiencing a new city.
Whether you choose to grace your loved ones with simple, homemade gifts or an adventurous trip somewhere in the world, I hope that your season is filled with many simple joys. I wish you a happy holiday season and many moments embracing hygge with those you love.
Note that a few links in this article are affiliate links, as noted, which means I may receive a small percentage from your purchase at no additional cost to you. See full disclosure here.