Embracing Hygge As A Family

Have you heard of Hygge? It's the new trend on everyone's lips, encouraging us to celebrate time together, make the most of the small moments and take pleasure in the everyday. Whilst I'm in no way a trend-setter of any kind, anything that encourages relaxing under a blanket with a cup of something warm is a winner in my book. Recently we have taken to having 'family nights' once a week, where we take the hour before bedtime to choose a film, grab a drink and snack and snuggle down to enjoy some phone and ipad-free time together, and embracing Hygge (pronounced Hu-gah, by the way!) really fits in with this routine.

Last night was one of those nights - daddy was home before bedtime and the children were squeaky clean after a bath. The weather was cold and miserable, which gave us even more of a reason to get cosy inside. The children have recently been sent some lovely pyjamas from The Essential One, so after they'd dried off, they cuddled down in the super-soft 100% cotton fabric, finished off with stretchy cuffs and a softly elasticated waist, grabbed a blanket each and got ready for the film.

Daddy filled their Harry Potter mugs with hot chocolate and popped in a couple of marshmallows and we all sat down together to watch HP & The Philosopher's Stone together. It was lovely total a break from our fast-paced lives of getting through tea time and then bedtime, with many a row in-between, and just be in each others' company. Even the children seemed to understand that it was a time for quiet and peace and not running about like loons, as is their usual way.

It seemed to set the theme of the night as they both went into their bedrooms with little fuss and even John and I felt a lot more at ease than normal in the evening. All in all I think embracing Hygge really helped us take some time together and find the quiet in our otherwise chaotic lives. It's definitely something I'd recommend and hopefully will become more regular in our house.