We’re in the middle of winter right now, and it’s c-c-c-cold here in Virginia. (If you’re from up North, you are probably experiencing side-splitting laughter right now, and I understand that. Please give this California-born and raised girl a teeny break! ) I just want to stay home and get cozy!

January is hard because the holidays are over, but there is still so much winter left. And outside, especially if there is no snow, looks pretty bleak. Instead of focusing on how long it will be until I can ditch my parka, gloves, and hat, I think up as many ways as I can to get cozy and just enjoy this season. In Denmark, this term is referred to as “hygge.” (ˈhyü-gə)

“Hygge”

According to merriam-webster.com, hygge as a noun is “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.” As an adjective, hygge means “invoking or fostering a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being.” Don’t you think that’s a great idea in the middle of winter?

Since winter’s here to stay for awhile, I’ll share with you some ways I love to get cozy.

Ways I Get Cozy

Light a candle. This might seem obvious, but so often I don’t want to burn my nice candles because I am afraid they will all burn down and I won’t have any. (This is similar to when people don’t use their nice dishes because they are saving them for a “special occasion.”) According to one of my favorite bloggers, Daily Connoisseur, right now IS a special occasion. I agree. So light that favorite candle at 3:00 on a cloudy day, just because.

Turn on cozy music. That may mean a different genre of music for you than it does for me. I have always loved classical chamber music as well as Big Band, but on a cold winter day, one of my favorites is smooth jazz. I turn on the YouTube channel and search “coffee shop jazz” for a great playlist and a bonus visual– a warm coffee shop background that makes it feel like I’m there.

Toss those throw blankets around. I look for ones that match our basic decor style, wash well, and feel soft and warm. I have some on the couch and/or chairs in the family room, living room, and office. The only downside to these cozies is that once you get settled under one of them, you may not want to get up. Especially if you have a candle burning and cozy music playing–do you see the progression here?!

Bake cookies. Ah, the memories I have of baking snickerdoodles with my mom in our cozy kitchen, and later with my daughters. Is there any smell better than warm cinnamon?

Make a cup of tea or coffee. Speaking of coffee shops, why not turn your kitchen into one by making yourself a special tea or coffee drink? I love to take my afternoon coffee, throw it into the blender with some flavored protein or collagen powder, give it a whirl, and top it with a squirt of whipped cream. Delicious! (And much cheaper than actually going to a coffee shop, although that can be cozy, too.)

Light a fire. When I was a little girl, my dad loved to make us a fire. If the San Francisco area temps went down anywhere near sixty degrees, he would open all the windows and cool the house off just so he would have an excuse to build one. There’s something about a fire that makes you want to sit and stare at it and just enjoy. My friend Tricia at HodgePodge even homeschools her children by a fire on cold days! Sounds wonderful. (By the way, if you don’t have a fireplace, just search “Fireplace for your home” on Netflix. Instant ambience! It even makes you feel warmer; I promise!)

Read a book. Maybe one you’ve read before that makes you feel warm and cozy inside. I like the Mitford series. What books would you read when you want to feel cozy?

Watch a movie. I once read that if you want to warm up in the winter, you should watch a movie set in the summer, and vice versa. I think it works! Below are some of my favorite movies set in warm weather across several genres (not all may be suitable for children):

What are your favorite summer-y movies?

There must be more, so please go ahead and leave your thoughts below– how do you like to get cozy, in winter, or anytime?